The Most Important Part

PeeDee · Mar 29, 2007

Which is the most important part of a book?

The beginning? The middle? Or the ending?

And I'm mostly referring to books here, in that for short stories, it's a whole 'nother game. But have at it with what you will.

For me, I think it's the middle, which is interesting int hat it's the hardest part for some writers to get through.

In the beginning, I'm getting interested, I'm enjoying the first steps of the story, all that. But it's the middle where not only do things start to hit their stride and get interesting, but (toward the end of the middle) things begin to quicken as everything slopes into the ending.

But I think the ending is less important, because I've had some books I enjoyed that fell apart at the end. Not badly, not always, the ending just didn't quite work. Sometimes the writer couldn't keep a grip on their material, sometimes, the idea itself was a little wonky.

But I still like some of those books, because the beginning brought me in, and I loved what happened in the middle.

That's my take. What say you?

Birol · Mar 29, 2007

As a reader, I have to like the beginning. What we writers call the "hook." You've got to ensnare me in the world, but the middle, that's what captures my attention and makes the real world fall away.

So, not the ending, but either the beginning or the middle would be my take. I'm leaning toward the middle, but my logical, analytical self is having trouble committing to that, because I know how important the beginning is for trapping the reader.

Angelinity · Mar 29, 2007

as a reader, it's the writing itself that will hold or lose my attention through the end.

when it comes to parts of the story, i need the beginning to be strong, but if the middle drags on or takes me off course without good reason, i'm likely to abandon the book. so i guess the middle is important once i've committed to reading it. i'm easy on endings, only because there are so many possibilities or variables in any given reality that i accept the writer's choice.

as a writer -- though this ought to be a different thread i suppose -- i think the most important is the beginning, and the most difficult would be the ending. deciding where to end the reader's journey is an agonising challenge for me, as the story itself goes on (in my head) ad infinitum.

Oddsocks · Mar 30, 2007

But it's the middle where not only do things start to hit their stride and get interesting, but (toward the end of the middle) things begin to quicken as everything slopes into the ending.

This bit.

The ending often feels weak in comparison with the rest, although when I find a really strong ending, that will be what sticks with me. Otherwise, that latter-middle time is good.

Also, that's the stage where it's fun to look back on the beginning and think about how much has happened in between. Does anyone else imagine they're back there towards the start, and think about everything that's still to come, once you know what it is?

triceretops · Mar 30, 2007

From a writers perspective I have learned that the begining/hook is the most crucial part for me to concentrate on and perfect. It's always been my nemesis. As a reader, I have to be pulled in, so I would also tag the start. If it's lively upfront, with great voice/style, I'm betting that it might carry through the rest of the book. Not always, but mostly.

Tri

Elodie-Caroline · Mar 30, 2007

As a reader, the beginning of the book would seem the most important part to me, it's what determines whether I read the rest of the book or not. If the middle and ending is crap, I would hope that the characters are written well enough for me to feel for for them to pull me through the story.

Btw. I think the first couple of paragraphs of my own finished work is crap, but I just don't know how to work it differently to set the scene. The rest of the story would pull the reader through, and at a fast pace.

Elodie

poetinahat · Mar 30, 2007

Interesting question.

I asked myself something slightly different: Which part would I, as a reader, find hardest to forgive if it sucked?

"Well, the ______ was poor, but otherwise, I enjoyed it."

A poor beginning is annoying, but I can get past it if I believe the rest of the book holds promise. I'm shallow; the hook, for me, is more likely to be the friend's recommendation, the title, or the jacket blurb. If I've got that, I'll soldier through a poor beginning.

A poor ending is a huge disappointment -- makes me think the book was nearly there and rushed at the end. But I can still say I enjoyed the book up until then.

But a poor middle? Unforgiveable. Can't - won't - get through. It's what I think of as the real stuff of the book. And how many books does one encounter where the middle is mediocre, but the ending is superb? Not many, I'd bet. So, bad middle implies bad ending anyway.

ANSWER: The MIDDLE is most important to me as a reader.

JimmyB27 · Mar 30, 2007

PeeDee said:
The beginning? The middle? Or the ending?

Yes

Spiny Norman · Mar 30, 2007

I prefer dark meat, myself.

...

...But, seriously, the middle is the hardest part. I can write a good beginning, because introducing characters and places is a lot of fun for me. Trying to avoid stagnation is the hardest part.

As to what's the most important, I would say the beginning. It's also the easiest for me to write, thankfully.

Meerkat · Mar 30, 2007

I might be misunderstanding, but for me the most important "part" would be the duality of plots: a subplot that is the hook to entice the reader and make him or her yell "look out" every once in awhile, and the larger plot that is the conversational thread/moral of the story that the writer actually wants the reader to walk away with as a lesson. Perfect example is DaVinci code's falsely accused of murder ("look out!") versus larger moral: "look at this family tree!"

Cav Guy · Mar 30, 2007

Depends on the perspective.

As a reader, I get into the middle of books. Like most, I'll use the beginning to hook myself, but I also tend to open books to the middle and see what's there. And when I'm reading, the middle has to carry me through.

When I'm writing, I tend to have more trouble with endings. Not sure why, but that's always been the hardest thing for me.

Norman D Gutter · Mar 30, 2007

I don't usually worry about the beginning too much. I figure I don't judge a book by its cover, I shouldn't judge it by its first sentence, or paragraph, or chapter. So I guess it's the middle that has to be good to keep me going.

NDG

MidnightMuse · Mar 30, 2007

As both a reader and a writer, for me the most important part is the beginning. As a reader, I'm fickle and will toss a book quickly if it fails to grab me pretty dang fast. I'll give it several pages, even a full chapter if I'm feeling generous - but if I'm not completely drawn in by then, I'll put it down.

As a writer who realizes there are readers like me out there, I struggle and agonize over the beginning and find it to be the hardest part - knowing it must be perfect to get by a query or partial. Once I get myself through the beginning, I can usually sail the rest of the story.

wordmonkey · Mar 30, 2007

PeeDee:

I have seen (and done) some pretty convoluted things to avoid doing the writing I'm supposed to be doing, but this one is pure quality!

You can even tell yourself it's not really slacking off, 'cos it's writing-related.

Kudos, sir. Kudos.

Now switch the browser off, crack up the word-processor, and go finish that comic-script... or that short story... or whatever it is you're hiding from.

Don't make me come over there.

ChaosTitan · Mar 30, 2007

PeeDee said:
The beginning? The middle? Or the ending?

JimmyB27 said:
Yes

Ditto.

The best books do all three well. To truly enjoy a book, I have to like the beginning, middle, and end. All three are equally important. A great beginning is soiled by a bad ending. A well-done, engrossing, inspiring middle won't be read if the beginning doesn't hook me. The coolest ending in the world won't be read if the middle sags like an old, coil spring mattress.

ccarver30 · Mar 30, 2007

I think it is the resolution- the culmination. How did the "problem" get solved? I think that if you have a sucky resolution, then people will throw your book in the nearest fireplace. But this usually comes at the end of the book (unless you are Gabriel Garcia Marquez).
However, I do agree that the middle is very important too. It can be the turning point- i.e. "I HAVE to finish this woonderful book!" vs. "I don't give a crap what happens to these people." *throws book in fireplace*

maestrowork · Mar 30, 2007

I think the beginning and the ending are the most important... the middle -- you can slog along as long as the beginning and ending are strong. The beginning sells this book, and the ending sells the next one.

So in that sense, the beginning is more important for THIS book. But I read to get to the ending... However, if the beginning sucks, there's no way I would get to the end short of jumping ahead and read the last chapter.

This is, of course, from the marketing point of view.

I kind of agree that the middle (how to plot progresses from the beginning and culminates to the climax) is what makes the book great.

scarletpeaches · Mar 30, 2007

The part that sells the book to an agent - the hook.

scarletpeaches · Mar 30, 2007

maestrowork said:
...The beginning sells this book, and the ending sells the next one...

I'll make a note of that. Snappy, and it rings true.

ccarver30 · Mar 30, 2007

The beginning sells this book, and the ending sells the next one.

Yeah, that IS a good one!!

Carrie in PA · Mar 30, 2007

As usual, I'm firmly planted on the fence. The beginning is crucial because if it sucks, I won't get to the middle. The middle is crucial because if it sucks, I won't get to the end. The end is crucial if you ever want me to buy another one of your books.

FredCharles · Mar 30, 2007

From the readers standpoint, it would have to be the beginning. I need to be drawn in right away.

The middle and end are important too, but you have to have a kick ass start or the book will most likely be put down.

The middle also tends to be the hardest part for me to write. I have my hook and my ending, but sometimes the figure out how to get from A to C can be brutal.

Just Me · Mar 30, 2007

I think they're all important in different ways.

The beginning is that makes you want to read on.

The middle is what makes you care.

And the ending, if done right, is what makes it all worthwhile.

Actually, I think that, more often than not, the difference between a good book and a GREAT one is how memorable/meaningful the ending is. So, I would say the ending.

~JM.

PeeDee · Mar 30, 2007

It's a good description. And it also says, by roundabout, that the middle is the most important part. Your brain can be non-functional, your limbs can be removed, but if your organs fail, then you're dead.

Sage · Mar 30, 2007

While I'm a huge sucker for great climaxes, I have to admit that the middle is probably the most important. Probably because it takes up a majority of the book. The ending might be important, but if the middle hasn't set it up correctly, it loses its greatness.

If the ending sucks, though, I'll be pretty upset.

The Most Important Part

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