Chapters/Scenes That Start With Statements

DwayneA · May 7, 2010

In some books I've read, I've seen scenes or chapters that start with statements that are neither telling nor showing. Sometimes they are followed by a series of written sentences and paragraphs that make the whole thing seem like a written essay. Here are some examples from the last book I read:

-Rangers are inclined to be solitary people.
-More than a hundred years ago, it had become apparent that unless wilderness areas were protected from the encroachment of man, they would vanish forever.
-There are still many who believe that the insolent chariots sold by Detroit can go anywhere and surmount any terrain.
-Bear cubs are blind and completely helpless at birth, during the chill of winter when the mother is hibernating.

Frankly I don't understand why the author does this if it has nothing to do with the plot or the story. Can someone explain?

dpaterso · May 7, 2010

I'd guess they're establishing facts, painting the setting, showing their style, and whatever else they think would contribute to a good starting point for the story, to tickle the reader's interest. Like we all do.

What makes you say "if it has nothing to do with the plot or the story"? These lines you quoted have nothing to do with the stories that follow? Really?

-Derek

mscelina · May 8, 2010

I find it hard to believe these lines have nothing to do with the plot or the story. With a line like "Rangers are inclined to be solitary people." what came next? Would it be a description of a ranger, perhaps--like Strider from LOTR? Or a park ranger in real life maybe?

Random sentences that don't have anything to do with the plot or the story don't make it into the book. Trust me. They don't.

Salis · May 8, 2010

Sounds like Chuck Palahniuk.

A Lamborghini Reventon can go over 200 MPH.

I stabbed the prostitute in the eye with a rusty fork.

Dr.Gonzo · May 8, 2010

^

It's all character building.

Danthia · May 8, 2010

All three of my books open with a statement. And while that statement doesn't always relate exactly to the plot, it does move the story toward it in one way. Book one opens with:

Stealing eggs is a lot harder than stealing the whole chicken.

This doesn't have anything to do with the plot per se, but my narrator is stealing eggs as the story opens, and that action leads directly to an event that does bear on the plot. It characterizes my narrator, sets the scene, and hopefully draws the reader in so they stick with the book long enough to get to the plot parts.

Sometimes a statement opener is just to get the reader in the right mindset for what's about to come. It means something, but it might be subtle. Often it's the narrator's voice so they're stating something they believe. That belief might be something that affects plot later.

DwayneA · May 8, 2010

"Ranger are inclined to be solitary people."

After this comes a few written paragraphs about women becoming interested in the wilderness and how man adapts to his surroundings.

And after the statement about the bear cubs, there are a few paragraphs about bears, including one that talks about the rogue grizzly in the book and his youth about how he was abandoned by his mother because he frightened her by growing too fast.

bonitakale · May 8, 2010

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.

"My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"

I know, I know. This is not Jane Austen's day. But that opening sets the tone for the whole book, and segues right into Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, and the story.

I, personally, like books that start with a statement. (What I don't like is a prologue that's a description of a gruesome crime.)

The statement can be a sort of transition between worlds. You have to get from, "I should be mopping the floor./ My boss hates my idea, I know it./ Who was that woman on the bus?" to "I hope the hero gets his wish./ Oh, gosh, he's gonna get killed!/I bet the nephew did it." One way to get there is to have a brief stop in the middle, at, "I'm the narrator; this is my voice, and I'm about to to tell you a great story."

Kelsey · May 8, 2010

I don't mind opening statements. As Bonita mentioned above, the opening line of P&P is probably the epitome of a well-used statement. Statements can set the tone of the story to follow, or segue into a description of the locale or whatever's about to happen. I guess sometimes it isn't done well, and maybe your current book is an example of this, but I can't think of any other examples off the top of my head of this.

DwayneA · May 8, 2010

I've come up with a few statements that I could use to open scenes or chapters in my current work. Here are a few of them:

"Just when you think everything is perfect, life deals you a blow."

"It's amazing how much one event can change one's life forever."

"There's an old saying `Everybody gets fifteen minutes of fame, then is never heard from again', however nothing could be further from the truth."

How do these sound? I'm currently thinking up more.

DancingMaenid · May 8, 2010

I think opening with a statement can be interesting if the statement is something that will likely pique the reader's interest. I also think that when stories begin with statements, the statement can be used to immediately give some hint as to what the story might be about. For instance, with Pride and Prejudice, you can guess from the first line that marriage and courtship are probably going to be important to the story.

I don't see an issue with opening statements as long as they do pertain to the story (and like others have mentioned, if they don't, they probably shouldn't be there period), are interesting, and don't delay the action too much.

dgiharris · May 8, 2010

DwayneA said:
I've come up with a few statements that I could use to open scenes or chapters in my current work. Here are a few of them:

"Just when you think everything is perfect, life deals you a blow."

"It's amazing how much one event can change one's life forever."

"There's an old saying `Everybody gets fifteen minutes of fame, then is never heard from again', however nothing could be further from the truth."

How do these sound? I'm currently thinking up more.

There are an infinite number of ways you can open a story Dwayne. I mean that in the literal sense of the word 'infinite'. There are more ways you can open a story then there are stars in the night sky, femtoseconds in a century, or atoms in the universe.

And again, here are some links that will answer all of your questions

Pulling the reader in (Beginnings)

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78571

Uncle Jim Undiluted Thread

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6710

Mel...

seun · May 9, 2010

DwayneA said:
"Ranger are inclined to be solitary people."

After this comes a few written paragraphs about women becoming interested in the wilderness and how man adapts to his surroundings.

And after the statement about the bear cubs, there are a few paragraphs about bears, including one that talks about the rogue grizzly in the book and his youth about how he was abandoned by his mother because he frightened her by growing too fast.

So how can you say the opening lines have nothing to do with what comes next when you've just proved they do?

Jamesaritchie · May 9, 2010

DwayneA said:
In some books I've read, I've seen scenes or chapters that start with statements that are neither telling nor showing. Sometimes they are followed by a series of written sentences and paragraphs that make the whole thing seem like a written essay. Here are some examples from the last book I read:

-Rangers are inclined to be solitary people.
-More than a hundred years ago, it had become apparent that unless wilderness areas were protected from the encroachment of man, they would vanish forever.
-There are still many who believe that the insolent chariots sold by Detroit can go anywhere and surmount any terrain.
-Bear cubs are blind and completely helpless at birth, during the chill of winter when the mother is hibernating.

Frankly I don't understand why the author does this if it has nothing to do with the plot or the story. Can someone explain?

You have to post a bunch more. I have no doubt these statements do have something to do with plot or story.

Lady Ice · May 9, 2010

The problem with starting with epigrams is that it can soon become forced or trite.

Bufty · May 9, 2010

Sennagrams work better.

The problem with starting with epigrams is that it can soon become forced or trite.

DwayneA · May 9, 2010

what the heck are sennagrams and epigrams?

Bufty · May 9, 2010

Dwayne, you'll find epigram in the dictionary - it's a concise and witty remark -like some of the things you might find at the beginning of stories or chapters.

Now for the hard part -which is why one might contemplate choosing a sennagram.

I don't know if you'll grab this, Dwayne - 'sennagram' is a made up word -it doesn't exist. It's just that my sense of humour kicked in when I read Ice Rose's preceding post containing the words Epigram and forced...oh, it gets tricky and loses something when explained. It's one of those silly things that one either 'gets' or one doesn't.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, Dwayne. But do let me know if you suddenly twig it and spew tea or coke all over the monitor.

Sorry if I derailed your thread, friend.

DwayneA · May 9, 2010

dgiharris said:
There are an infinite number of ways you can open a story Dwayne. I mean that in the literal sense of the word 'infinite'. There are more ways you can open a story then there are stars in the night sky, femtoseconds in a century, or atoms in the universe.

Maybe so, but not all of them are very good, or any good.

Jamesaritchie · May 9, 2010

DwayneA said:
Maybe so, but not all of them are very good, or any good.

They are if they sell the book.

dgiharris · May 9, 2010

DwayneA said:
Maybe so, but not all of them are very good, or any good.

My post was in response to your posting in which you identified several possible openings.

I was trying to tell you that we could literally spend an eternity reviewing openings and telling you if they are good or bad.

I don't know if you can take criticism or tough love, but as near as I can tell, you are not progressing in your writings and learnings, but instead are moving sideways.

THere comes a point in any venture, where researching can only take you so far. There comes a point where you need to jump right in and 'try'.

I think you need to work on a short story with the goal being publication.

I'd challenge you to write a 2,000 - 4,000 word short story, polish-edit as best you can, submit to SYW, revise-edit-revise and submit for publication. You will learn more in that process than you will in a 100 Basic Writing QUestions threads that you are fond of starting.

Set a goal of writing and submitting a short for publication by July 1st.

Trust me, if you are sincere in becoming a writer, then this exercise/challenge would be the best thing for you Dwayne. And i'm speaking from experience as a regularly published author.

There comes a time when we have to jump right in and give it a go, and you've well reached that point.

And lastly, you need to be reading the Uncle Jim thread. 15-20 minutes per day will change your writing life.

Mel...

seun · May 10, 2010

dgiharris said:
THere comes a point in any venture, where researching can only take you so far. There comes a point where you need to jump right in and 'try'.

I think you need to work on a short story with the goal being publication.

I'd challenge you to write a 2,000 - 4,000 word short story, polish-edit as best you can, submit to SYW, revise-edit-revise and submit for publication. You will learn more in that process than you will in a 100 Basic Writing QUestions threads that you are fond of starting.

Best advice yet.

bonitakale · May 11, 2010

DwayneA said:
I've come up with a few statements that I could use to open scenes or chapters in my current work. Here are a few of them:

"Just when you think everything is perfect, life deals you a blow."

"It's amazing how much one event can change one's life forever."

"There's an old saying `Everybody gets fifteen minutes of fame, then is never heard from again', however nothing could be further from the truth."

How do these sound? I'm currently thinking up more.

Well, the 15 minutes of fame thing is a fairly recent usage (Andy Warhol, 1968), not an old saying. The others are a bit cliched. Write the story and then worry about an opening. You'll have plenty of time. Let it simmer in your brain.

Lady Ice · May 11, 2010

DwayneA said:
"There's an old saying `Everybody gets fifteen minutes of fame, then is never heard from again', however nothing could be further from the truth."

How do these sound? I'm currently thinking up more.

The quote is actually:''In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." (Andy Warhol)

Chapters/Scenes That Start With Statements

DwayneA

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

mscelina

Teh doommobile, drivin' rite by you

Salis

You Lie!

Dr.Gonzo

Wonderfully Irreverent

Danthia

DwayneA

bonitakale

Kelsey

Book Slut

DwayneA

DancingMaenid

New kid...seven years ago!

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

seun

Horror Man

Jamesaritchie

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

DwayneA

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

DwayneA

Jamesaritchie

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

seun

Horror Man

bonitakale

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions