On Saturday, I slogged six miles through the pouring rain. Then I went to my daughter’s gymnastic meet. After that I went to Costco and bought….What you’re telling me you don’t want a play-by-play of what I did? Well, guess what? Neither do I, when I read your manuscript.
Lately, I’ve had the opportunity to read quite a few writer’s work in progress and some of the first few pages, while well-written, are not necessary to the story at all. I know that some of them give history of the place, or reveal detail about your character, but I say cut it and put it in elsewhere. Honestly, it will make for a better read. I promise.
What do you think?
I worry about this a lot. I think for me, it comes down to timing. As someone who writes in first person present tense. You kind of have to explain everything that happens from start of the chapter to the end. I got better at it, as time went on, but I certainly find it problematic.
For people not writing in those formats, I agree, chuck it!
For people writing in 1st person, present tense, I say: be careful where things start and make sure there is enough stuff to make it worth showing.
I think a lot of writers are caught up with “The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo” love. That author made a killing by being very specific with what people did all day, but I think he is an anomaly.
Honestly, avoid having any part of your book feel like a slog, and especially work hard to make it not feel like that in the beginning.
I feel like authors probably rewrite their beginning, or should, the most.
I think writing in first person present tense would be so hard. My hat is off to you!! Don’t know how you did it.