How to Write the Introduction to a Novel

Though we've all heard the old adage that, "Everyone has a book inside," that doesn't mean we can all write them. As many ideas as we may have rolling around in our heads, few will hold still long enough to be committed to paper. The most common complaint I've heard from aspiring writer friends is that they don't know how to begin. With a few preliminary steps, you can give that novel in your head a chance to see the light of day.

Things You'll Need

• -Computer
• -Pen and paper

Instructions

Pre-Writing Process

1. Once you have some semblance of an idea for your novel, sketch at least a rough outline of your plot. Many writers prefer not to use outlines but it is a useful tool if you're having trouble starting.

2. Decide how you plan to present this novel. Is your novel going to be in third person or first? If it's in third, will the perspective be limited to one character or will it move between several? Is it going to be in past or present tense? Think long and hard about these questions. If your novel is an emotional, internal journey, first-person can enhance a reader's closeness to the main character. But if it's more of an adventure story, third-person can be better for action scenes.

3. It's important to get to know your protagonist. Is it a boy or a girl? How old is he or she? What happened in this character's past that helped make him or her the way he or she is at the start of the story? Determining your protagonist's voice will help you tap into the writing style you wish to use for your novel.

Getting Down to Writing

1. Introductions to novels usually help foretell the novel's events. Two common ways of doing this is either starting with an event that won't happen until near the end of the novel (like the preface of "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer) or beginning with an event that happened long before the novel started, which will prove important to the novel's plot (for example, beginning with a traumatic experience in the protagonist's childhood when the actual novel begins once the protagonist is an adult). Use your outline to decide what events you would like to foretell with your introduction.

2. Find a happy medium when it comes to writing the first line. It is, after all, the first thing people will read, so it certainly deserves some thought. The first line is your opportunity to set the tone of the novel. If you're writing a thriller, use the introduction to create an ominous tone. If the book involves a quest, the introduction could include the event that sets the protagonist's quest into motion. However, don't spend too long obsessing over the first line. Trust your instincts.

3. Don't make the introduction too long. You have an entire novel for exposition. Just give readers enough of a taste of the tone and character of the novel that they'll want more.

4. Once you write your introduction, put it aside and move on. Once you have written the entire novel, go back to your introduction and make sure its tone has remained true to the rest of the book and hasn't foretold any events too obviously.

References

• Novel Writing: Asking the Right Questions
• 'Twilight' by Stephenie Meyer