Problem with Setting

I'm working on pre-writing/plotting for a contemporary fantasy. Not sure at this point if it will be urban or not, but it should have urban elements. For now, though, I'm just calling it a fantasy.

But I'm having some issues with setting as a result. Originally, I had it planned to start off in this in this dusty old town with kind of a western feel. The MC would start her adventure there. But then the action would shift to a city and back to the town. Something about that set up isn't sitting well with me and I can't pinpoint what it is. it almost feels forced and that there is too much time "dead" time between that transitions of location.

Alternatively, I could start it off in a city and then move outward towards the country. That would have a better transition, I think, but that would change the entire feel and opening. Maybe I'm too married to my original idea? Or should I give it a chance? I already tried to write my first draft opening - that always changes - and something feels off.

The town is important and will need to come into play. I was rather fond of starting it there because it has a strange pull to it, but if I have to change to work then I know I should do that.

Have any of you had similar problems? What did you do? Any advice? I thought I would ask you all

TheIT said:

Without knowing story details, I'm not sure what might be bugging you, but remember that you're not obligated to describe every step of the journey between different locations. A quick "It took three hours to return to the city" or equivalent can macro past the boring parts of travel.

In my first novel attempt, I was going to have the characters travel out of the city and return, so I tried outlining every day of the journey and nearly put myself to sleep. Eventually, I realized all the action could stay in different locations of the city.

Might want to consider what mode of transportation they're using and the distance between the locations. If they have to go back and forth a lot, that might come into play.

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I know that it's hard to say without knowing the details. I'm just so frustrated! Heh.

The two main characters were supposed to meet for the first time at this town. For them to travel a long distance to get to location #2 with tension over their first meeting is a problem. So for me to have them meet and be like, okay now it's 10 hours later! doesn't work well. And to just have them get to know each other during that long drive kills the momentum from the first location. I know novels have their ups and downs, but a long boring drive isn't fun and skipping to some place else after two characters meet doesn't work either.

So that is why I am trying to figure out what my critical problem is. Setting or something else.

TheIT said:

If the two characters are meeting in the town for the first time, how did they get there? Do they each have a car? Why would they be traveling to the city together?

If they traveled independently, then that could add some tension. Unless they leave a vehicle there, they're both going to have to drive back alone. They each can spend the time considering this other person. Could add some mystery especially if they come to wrong conclusions.

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Hmm. Interesting possibilities to consider.

The original plan was for them to meet, bad things happen in the town, they are leaving, but her car gets burned. They end up leaving together to escape and he tries to recruit her to this group he's a part of who are investigating a situation linked to the town.

So while the drive to the city could be a chance to explore tension between two strangers stuck together in a tight space for the time being, I'm not sure why I keep getting hung up on this.

Writing would be so much easier if we immediately knew what was wrong and could fix it just like that, LOL

Thanks!

whistlelock said:

You're probably starting too early.

In your opinion, when does the story pick up steam? Like it's time to put on the seat belts, cause it's on!

Start 5 pages after that.

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It's possible, for sure. I know my last novel I realized I was starting to early and when I cut the entire beginning it worked so much better. So I know this might be a possibility. I suppose I won't know until I write it and then cut it (if necessary). I guess I was just trying to make it a little easier for myself.

So it's either an issue with setting or an issue with where does the story start. I love to start with a bang.

But all of your suggestions and advice is very helpful