"In the beginning..."

Detri Redmond · Dec 22, 2011

When starting a novel is it ok to begin with a character who is not the protagonist but instead someone they will meet later on? Or will the reader automatically assume that the first p.o.v. is the main character and become confused or whatever.

Example: Story begins with Jane escaping from wolves. Later on the story's protagonist, John, is introduced to the readers and eventually crosses path with a frantic Jane.

I was thinking to make this work Jane's part would be better as a prologue and John's introduction being the first chapter. Or could I place both in the first chapter since prologues are so frowned upon--or so I've heard--I think...

The example above is not from my w.i.p. and the reason I want to start the story this way is to introduce the fantasy element from the very start before I get into what I feel is the boring intro of my protag.

Cyia · Dec 22, 2011

In that case, it would likely work as a prologue or with an Omni narrator. With a 1st person narrator, to start with one character and then not see/hear from her again for many chapters, would be odd.

brianjanuary · Dec 22, 2011

Unless you use a prologue (and there's nothing at all wrong with a prologue--I see them used all the time), the reader will assume that the first character introduced is the MC.

So use a prologue or maybe start with John, then cut to Jane and the wolves, then back to John, and they meet in real time. You can do this with scenes breaks within the first chapter, if you want to.

Detri Redmond · Dec 22, 2011

Thanks Cyia. I was going with omni but the question, "to prologue or not to prologue..." was nagging at me. Basically is it ok to do so since her initial part won't be too long or should I just combine it with first chapt.

jaksen · Dec 22, 2011

I see no problem with it and I've read many a book that doesn't start with the protag...

But my question is, why is the introduction to the protagonist boring? I would think that is a bigger problem than how to start the book.

Bufty · Dec 22, 2011

Ditto.

jaksen said:
I see no problem with it and I've read many a book that doesn't start with the protag...

But my question is, why is the introduction to the protagonist boring? I would think that is a bigger problem than how to start the book.

Detri Redmond · Dec 22, 2011

well by boring, I mean it's not as interesting as starting with the other character and the fantasy element. The protag won't get introduce deeply into that aspect of the story until latter when he is brought face to face with it. So boring for me is basically normal stuff.

jaksen · Dec 22, 2011

Well, Detri, 'normal' can still be made interesting. Like if he's eating breakfast, a spider crawls up his spoon and he just eats it or maybe he removes it carefully, or he screams and throws his bowl on the floor.

Extreme example ^^

But I'd try to make the protag and his normal life interesting, too. It will keep the momentum going if you start off with fantasy elements.

Grunkins · Dec 22, 2011

I have a similar issue in my WiP. As of now it's written as chapter 1, but I think it will wind up being a prologue to avoid confusion. I've thought of breaking up my (long) first chapter involving the protagonist and putting it before my current chapter 1, but the timeline really needs the beginning I have to be first. So, though I've been trying to avoid a prologue, I think the current chapter 1 will have to become one. Though I think I will pare it down quite a bit.

Detri Redmond · Dec 22, 2011

Thanks for pointing that out Jaksen. What are the pros and cons of starting off with main character or brief intro of fantasy element?

LadyA · Dec 23, 2011

What about if the POV that the book starts with is the other MC (dual POV) but your query letter is about the other MC? In my book, the story starts with a teenage hostage victim being found dead, and the main MC still missing/believed dead. He turns up in the next chapter, but the other hostage's death starts the ball rolling, so to speak. In my query letter, I'm told to focus on one POV, but if I don't mention the MC from the start of the book, won't agents get confused, or think the starting MC is just a secondary/minor character?

/derail

I'd say go for the prologue, so long as you do it well. Additionally, when we are introduced to 'John', make his beginning bit interesting too. A double whammy of awesomeness usually does the trick

Anjasa · Dec 23, 2011

I've read some books that start like this, and found it kind of disconcerting - but it could be that the first character introduced never really played that pivitol role throughout the novel. It was actually one of the Forgotten Realms books I best remember for this, in the War of the Spider Queen series - one book started out mid-series introducing a new character, then he wasn't heard of for about 60 pages, and he never really had a big role.

But I do think that if it serves a greater purpose, or it was pulled off well, it can be something really interesting!

"In the beginning..."

Detri Redmond

Apprentice Wordslinger

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

brianjanuary

Detri Redmond

Apprentice Wordslinger

jaksen

Caped Codder

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Detri Redmond

Apprentice Wordslinger

jaksen

Caped Codder

Grunkins

Grand adventurer of the couch

Detri Redmond

Apprentice Wordslinger

LadyA

Always lurking, never posting...

Anjasa

Fantasy Smut? Yes please!