Prepare the reader to care for a character throughout the story, and to invest their own emotions in that character’s achievement of happiness and contentment. For instance, introduce a character by showing them experience some sort of significant personal revelation about themselves or another character in the story. Equally reliable; introduce a character as they’re enduring an undeserved hardship.
For example: As Sarah walked down the gangplank, a man with mane-like hair approached. “It is thrilling to meet you. My name is…” He trailed off, rather stunned by the beauty of a woman he had imagined a thousand times, but whose actual appearance surpassed his fantasies. She looked at him for a moment and said, “Fetch me a horse. ”
For instance, “The man turned to beckon a servant. He dropped his rope, forgetting that it was wrapped around the pole and attached to the gangplank. Just then, a gust of wind pulled the boat from the dock. The rope unwound with incomprehensible speed, dropping the gangplank and a visibly displeased Lady Sarah into the bay. ”
“Suddenly, she felt the secret of a kiss ripple through her body and bloom beneath the surface of her skin. Her joints softened, her breath caught, her lips fell heavily against one another and her tongue swelled against them, reaching for a taste of air tinged with enticement. ”
For instance, “Sarah jumped down from her intricately-saddled elephant and handed the reins to a shirtless man she had never met before. ” Alternatively, “The cauldron boiled thickly and looked of effervescent syrup, but her heart sank quickly as she tossed it into the stew. ”
For instance: “He woke up, rose slowly, counted the stains on his ceiling as he did every morning, glanced at the empty spot beside him, and decided not to eat breakfast. ” And of course: “Her cats began licking her ankles where their tongues had already thinned the fabric of her tights as soon as she entered. She sighed at the darkened patch of carpet in the center of the room, knowing she could remove the visual evidence, but never the odor. ”
Take, for instance: “We were both young when I first saw you. " Note that even the contemporary artists reference classic storytellers. Consider the lyrics from a popular radio single: “Marry me, Juliet, you’ll never have to be alone. ” This line pays homage to Shakespeare by referencing a well known romantic narrative.
The beginning is important because it lures your reader into the story. Even if the opening scene is not important to the plot, it needs to be interesting. Hook your reader within a few pages, or better yet: a few paragraphs.
A common route here is a moment in which danger or the threat of danger are recognized or experienced by a character who will be featured prominently in your story.
Though you may be tempted to get the story rolling, keep initial action sequences simple. Maintain a focus on luring the reader in, without asking them to do too much thinking.
Look over the list and identify the most compelling links between this moment and other aspects of your story.
For instance, when introducing your character, make it clear that they don’t have time for relationships because they have to work overtime in order to pay the medical bills for a relative. Later on, have their love interest, unbeknownst to them, put in overtime as well in order to help fund the costs of the relative’s medical treatment. This selflessness will make them more likeable.
For instance, have a character say or do something emotionally significant to prove their commitment to someone they care about, perhaps without the other person knowing about it.
For instance, have a character seize an opportunity to get a reader cheering for them, or miss one if you want your readers to sympathize.
Write strong protagonists – both male and female – who are independent and capable of making decisions on their own. Give every character a reason to be respected by your readers. This rules out the lover simply waiting to be saved, as well as a “villain” without any relatable characteristics.
Get your readers to feel as though they really understand the character, then shake things up. Show them that even characters in a book can surprise them, just like real people.
