EricDalen.com

I've read a lot of unpublished manuscripts from writers who hope I can give them some insight into why they're not getting published.  They want to know what is wrong with their story.

Although I don't tell them this, it's often because their work is boring.  Or at least it starts that way.

Or, to quote Monty Python: "I'll tell you what's wrong with it . . . It's dead, that's what's wrong with it."

• An action novel that begins with 3-1/2 pages of background information.

• A mystery/suspense manuscript with a 17 page prologue, all character history.

• A thriller with two characters spending the entire first chapter bickering

I have a dozen other examples, but you get the idea.

So, let me give a general rule of thumb that may be helpful . . .

If you're writing a mystery, start with a mystery.

If you're writing suspense, start with some suspense.

If you're writing a thriller, start with something thrilling.

If you're writing an action novel, start with some action.

Deep background information, facts, history, details of family relationships are not the way to kick off a novel.

You're going to have plenty of time to get to those tidbits later.

You're supposed to be a story-teller, so tell the fucking story.

Please don't give me a bunch of useless crap first . . . tell the fucking story.

Please don't kick off the novel with why Chloe divorced our beloved but slightly depressed protagonist . . . tell the fucking story.

I know, I know, some writers have it in their head they have to set up the story before they can actually get around to telling it.

Phooey.

Figure out a way around it.  Come up with a plan to set up the story as it unfolds.  Or to put it another way, unfold the story as you set it up.

But whatever you do, don't fill me up with a load of facts and background info (that I'm somehow not only supposed to care about, but remember) before you get around to something actually happening.

Shoot first, give facts later.

Oh, and tell the fucking story.

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