Novel "Introductions"

E.G. Gammon · Apr 15, 2005

I am currently converting my once soap opera into a novel. The story behind the novel and its creation is pretty huge and I have written "An Introduction to...(Book Title)" which I thought would go well right before the first chapter of the book. As readers, do you think I should include something like this? It isn't very long, and isn't necessary to read before reading the book, but it gives readers some background on the story's evolution, the different formats it has become over the seven+ years of its creation, and the reasons behind my writing of the story. I'd like opinions on whether I should include this or not. After the entire book is written, I plan on writing a book ABOUT the book, its creation, evolution, writing, and how my life has changed after the book was published. But, I thought it would be appropriate (and interesting?) to include a small passage about the story's background at the beginning of the first book. Any opinions are appreciated.

Susan Gable · Apr 15, 2005

EGGammon said:
I am currently converting my once soap opera into a novel. The story behind the novel and its creation is pretty huge and I have written "An Introduction to...(Book Title)" which I thought would go well right before the first chapter of the book. As readers, do you think I should include something like this? It isn't very long, and isn't necessary to read before reading the book, but it gives readers some background on the story's evolution, the different formats it has become over the seven+ years of its creation, and the reasons behind my writing of the story. I'd like opinions on whether I should include this or not. After the entire book is written, I plan on writing a book ABOUT the book, its creation, evolution, writing, and how my life has changed after the book was published. But, I thought it would be appropriate (and interesting?) to include a small passage about the story's background at the beginning of the first book. Any opinions are appreciated.

Okay, here's my opinion: No.

I think this would be better as an afterward, or a Dear Reader letter, not an introduction. As you say, it's not necessary for the reader to know this in the beginning, but it might be interesting for them to learn it after. At the beginning you want to immediately suck the reader into the story.

Readers honestly don't care how the story came to be. (Most of them. Some find it interesting.) They want to care about the story/characters.

And that is, as always, just my opinion. <G> Yours may vary.

Susan G.

E.G. Gammon · Apr 15, 2005

Putting it afterward may be better. I considered that, I had just never seen it at the end of a book before, only "Introductions" at the beginning. If I put it at the end of the book, I could name it the title of the "book about the book," so if the "book about the book" is published, the passage will be a little "preview" but if not, it will just be a very condensed version of the "book about the book."

veinglory · Apr 15, 2005

As a reader I would say no. I don't even like prologues!

maestrowork · Apr 15, 2005

I would say no. Save it for the radio, TV, website, or magazine interviews when your book becomes a best seller. Otherwise, the readers really won't care.

Richard · Apr 15, 2005

I concur. You're the only person who's likely to care, unless you turn out to be the next Tolkein.

Susan Gable · Apr 15, 2005

EGGammon said:
Putting it afterward may be better. I considered that, I had just never seen it at the end of a book before, only "Introductions" at the beginning. If I put it at the end of the book, I could name it the title of the "book about the book," so if the "book about the book" is published, the passage will be a little "preview" but if not, it will just be a very condensed version of the "book about the book."

May I ask you a question? Have you, personally, as a reader and a writer, ever bought a book about a book?

An autobiography of a bigname author, perhaps, that tells about how a number of their books came to be (Stephen King's On Writing, for example), but to purchase an actual book about a book?

I'm thinking even as intriguing as the story of Atlanta Nights is, no one would buy a book about how it came to be.

Sometimes as writers we're much more fascinated with our processes than anyone else ever will be. People might want to hear two sentences about where you got a book idea from (my second book came from watching a Discovery Health Channel program about children who had had transplants.) but to read an entire book about a book?

I'm not trying to shoot you down, just get you to think realistically about it. Besides, you have the other books to write and worry about for now.

Tell a story. That's what readers want.

Susan G.

veinglory · Apr 15, 2005

'The Man from La Mancha' is a movie about a movie. But it only exists because the movie in question never got made!

mistri · Apr 15, 2005

If included at all, I do think it would be best as an afterword. It doesn't get in the way of the story, if you do that, or inadvertantly 'spoil' readers if you mention upcoming plot points.

If it becomes big, I can see publishers requesting something like that in a later edition. Generally, however, it probably won't be needed/wanted, and I'd wouldn't advise including it with your submission package. If accepted, you could mention the idea then, and see how receptive your editor is.

E.G. Gammon · Apr 15, 2005

Susan Gable said:
May I ask you a question? Have you, personally, as a reader and a writer, ever bought a book about a book?

An autobiography of a bigname author, perhaps, that tells about how a number of their books came to be (Stephen King's On Writing, for example), but to purchase an actual book about a book?

Well, I doubt the "book about the book" will be as popular, but I think people will want to read it because of what will be included. First off, the story behind the book isn't just "I sat down, had an idea and I wrote it." For over 6 years, the story was intended to be a network soap opera. I actually wrote scripts, storyboarded scenes, designed logos, layed out location floorplans, and developed an extensive promotional plan. The soap opera also had 2 planned primetime spin-offs, one which is the last part of the book, and one whose story I intend to include with the "book about the book" as a sort of "novella." Also how the story came about and its evolution could be interesting. When I began this story, I was YOUNG, and my age reflected in the story, but as I matured, so did the story, and I would like people to know about all of that. Plus, I've kept every piece of writing from the past seven+ years... I know exactly how things evolved. Also, I sacrificed a lot when I decided to convert my soap into a novel. They are two VERY different formats and people may be interested in what WAS sacrificed. I don't know whether everyone will want to buy the book about the book, but it's worth a shot, atleast I think so in my case (with everything I have to include).

zornhau · Apr 15, 2005

Don't do it!

Don't do it! Editors will think you're bananas. :banana:

If it ever hits the shelves, potential readers will flip through the 1st few pages and move on. And, if they're informed, they'll assume it's a vanity publication.

If in doubt, look at other books in the same genre. Don't risk rejection by breaking the trivial rules.

However, the piece does sound like an asset for your website.

The usual caveats
Z

brinkett · Apr 15, 2005

Not to be rude, but why do we care? It's something that matters very much to you, but doesn't matter to anyone else. Most writers have to sacrifice something in order to write their first novel. Most writers have earlier drafts lying around. Most writers have big dreams and plans for whatever they're working on. Most writers continue to mature as they write - there isn't an age when you stop maturing (for most people, anyway...

). The story of how your series came to be isn't unique--I can't see anyone wanting to read about it unless the series you write really makes it BIG. Otherwise it's just self-indulgent.

And on that note, have you finished the first book in your series and started shopping it around? If not, focus on that. You're spending a lot of time thinking about everything around writing it (what genre, what will attract a publisher, writing about the process of writing it, etc.). None of this will matter if you don't complete that first book in the series and sell it.

Sassenach · Apr 15, 2005

EG:

What Susan, Brinkett, et al said. Here's what I want to add--please take in the spirit it's offered, as one writer helping another.

There's an old RWA expression: "Finish the damn book." Spend less time wondering about various details, starting threads about your project, etc., and finish your book. Until you do, all the rest is chatter.

maestrowork · Apr 15, 2005

Egg, I understand you're emotionally attached to your work and you want the world to know how you achieved what you did... but I do think you're getting ahead of yourself. Listen to your fellow writers (and that's why you asked in the first place, right?) Most readers won't care -- until you become huge like Stephen King. Even then, I'm only remotely interested in learning how he came to write Carrie, for example. It's an interesting anecdote, but only because Carrie is such a phenomenon and King is such a huge star.

Save all that for your biography.

If you want to write your "book about a book" as a tribute to yourself, that's fine. But if you seriously are looking out for your readers (and publisher), you will think twice about it. If nothing else, it takes money to print a few extra pages -- most publishers would look at you and say, why are we including this?

It's not to say you should NEVER do it if you feel strongly about such introduction. There's a long intro in "The Life of Pi" -- honestly, I skipped it. But like others say, finish your book first. You're WAY ahead of yourself. Finish the book, get it sold to a publisher. Then you can think about what "other material" you would like to include -- forward, intro, acknowledgement, after thought... etc etc. But get your book done now -- that's the most important thing. The rest is just distraction, noises in your head.

Richard · Apr 15, 2005

Alternatively, sell the book and put the other info on your website - the Director's Cut, as it were.

PattiTheWicked · Apr 15, 2005

EGGammon said:
After the entire book is written, I plan on writing a book ABOUT the book, its creation, evolution, writing, and how my life has changed after the book was published. But, I thought it would be appropriate (and interesting?) to include a small passage about the story's background at the beginning of the first book. Any opinions are appreciated.

As far as the first book goes, I wouldn't create a huge intro to it. Let the reader read it and draw their own conclusions, and then maybe stick an afterward at the back.

If you've got enough about the book to make an entire book of its own, I'd definitely hold off.

The only book I've ever read that was 'about a book" that I thoroughly enjoyed was "The Outlandish Companion", which chronicles the history and back story of the Outlander series... and Diana Gabaldon waited until she'd published the first four books of the series to put the Companion out.

SRHowen · Apr 15, 2005

Whoever said--why do I care, I think hit it on the head. The average book reader, authors aside, really doesn't care how a book came to be. They don't think about the process of submissions, rejections, evolution and so on--they don't even think about editing.

How many people have said to you--oh, I've always wanted to write a book, as if it is the easiest thing in the world. You sit, whip out a ms in an afternoon, send it to a publisher, and instant book. Right?

I think putting in a history of this book introduction would leave readers and publishers going--and so?

You do seem very tied up in the whole, this series is going to sell and I need to figure out the introductions/forward, I need to figure out what I am going to do when I am famous, and so on.

Write the first book, send it out. If it sells, great. If it doesn't--then what good are all the other books and plans and wasted writing time on the series and book creating tales. A second book in a series is no good to anyone if the first doesn't sell.

NeuroFizz · Apr 19, 2005

Take all of the emotion you have put into your description of the conception, birth and evolution of the story and put it into the story itself, particularly the opening. Tell the story, yell the story, but don't talk about how you came to tell or yell it. I'd suggest that memoir-like material doesn't belong anywhere in a novel. It takes the reader out of the story-fantasy and screeches him/her to a halt in reality--too much of a door slam.

cwfgal · Apr 19, 2005

I'd have to agree with what everyone else has said. Finish and sell your book first. Then you can consider including a brief history (the making of) type author note at the end of the book. I definitely wouldn't put it at the beginning. If it were me, I wouldn't make it part of the book at all. I think it would do best as web site info or fodder for newspaper articles about you/your book once it's published.

As for the companion book, no one will buy it.

I applaud your enthusiasm for your project. If that passion comes through in your writing, I expect your book will be a big success. Best of luck.

Beth

zeprosnepsid · Apr 19, 2005

I don't think people understand your 'book about a book' concept. Because it's not a book about a book, it's a book about a person -- you. I would be interesting in reading your struggles.

And oftentimes the story behind a story is much more interesting. i was recently blogging that I have no interest in seeing the movie The Boondock Saints but I'll read any article I come across about the making of the movie because that story is fascinating.

There's plenty of fiction about people writing books, Wonder Boys for example, and that book is compelling. I don't know why your personal story couldn't be as compelling just because it's non-fiction.

So I say don't throw away your book about a book idea. If you went through and interesting journey, there are people who want to read about interesting journies. I really think every one is wrong saying no one would want to read it.

Anyway, I do say ditch the introduction. I don't read those. But an afterward might be a good idea. If someone reads your book and then wants to know more about you and the process then they'll be interested to read it. If I made it all the way through a novel, I would probably read an afterward.

willietheshakes · Apr 19, 2005

Susan Gable said:
May I ask you a question? Have you, personally, as a reader and a writer, ever bought a book about a book?

I have.
A few years ago, Penguin published 2 books about books by John Steinbeck - one was his "journal of the novel" while writing Graps of Wrath (I believe the novel was written on the right hand page, the journal on the left, of his notebooks), and the other was a similar book about East of Eden.
I found them amazing and insightful.
But I'm a geek like that.

Note On · Apr 19, 2005

No. "All About How Fascinating My Process Is" does not go in the manuscript. Not at the beginning. Not at the end. Not anywhere.

It also does not go in your query letter. The fact that you storyboarded will not help you get published.

The information is appropriate in your "All About The Author" promotional materials and when you're being interviewed by Michael Silverblatt. Leave it out of everything else.

willietheshakes · Apr 19, 2005

maestrowork said:
There's a long intro in "The Life of Pi" -- honestly, I skipped it.

Oh, that's too bad. The intro to Pi is as much a part of the novel (ie, a fictive construct) as the doctor's testimony at the beginning of Lolita...

maestrowork · Apr 19, 2005

willietheshakes said:
Oh, that's too bad. The intro to Pi is as much a part of the novel (ie, a fictive construct) as the doctor's testimony at the beginning of Lolita...

That just goes to show that if you put something integral to the story "outside" of the story, a lot of people like me are going to miss it.

E.G. Gammon · Apr 19, 2005

Note On said:
No. "All About How Fascinating My Process Is" does not go in the manuscript. Not at the beginning. Not at the end. Not anywhere.

It also does not go in your query letter. The fact that you storyboarded will not help you get published.

Zeprosnepsid is right: "I don't think people understand [my] 'book about a book' concept." Several comments above seem to insinuate that I plan to write the book about the book to brag about myself (or atleast that's what I got from some of them). It's not like that at all. I never intended to write a book like that for myself; I planned to do it for people who may be interested in reading it after reading my novel series. And I think there will be people interested in it. I mean look at the concept behind online blogs: People post entries, talking about their daily lives and expect you to read them. Sounds like the most pathetic thing in the world. Unless the person is famous, why would you want to read about someone's life? Well, after they started to grow in number, people realized those entries are really interesting.

"All About How Fascinating My Process Is" doesn't describe my book at all. The book is not about my process as a writer. No one could care less how I organized my thoughts and how I physically wrote the book. The book will be about the story behind the novel series. To whoever said my story isn't unique: How many novel series with 80 characters do you know of that started out as a network soap opera, going through over six years of development with tons of scripts being written and other things being prepared? The book about the bookS will cover the evolution of the story and the many plots I cut or changed. The series has a serial killer mystery and the person behind the killings wasn't the one I originally had in mind. So, no one will even care who I originally chose to be behind the killings, or what that did to the story?

To clarify, I don't intend to use my evolution material like my storyboards to HELP ME GET PUBLISHED. I intend to use it in the book about the books as something that may interest people who read the novels. I have tons of sketches of lots of things. You all are saying none of that will be interesting at all? The whole reason why I even thought of writing such a book after my other books are finished, is because it would be something that I as a reader would like. I love reading the story behind novels or any type of media. Think of my novel series like a TV Show DVD box set - the books are the episodes and the 'book about the books' is a "special feature." It's my "audio commentary" novel.

I thank all of you for giving your opinions, I just find it hard to believe that "no one will buy it." If worst comes to worst, and a publisher won't publish something like that, I'll self publish a few copies for those who will want to read it.

I certainly don't have to explain myself, but I am not wasting my time here, "chattering" and posting messages about about my unfinished novel series. I post these messages during my free time from my writing, because my questions are things I want to know, whether they pertain to now or the future. I like to think ahead - FAR ahead. There's nothing wrong with that or being optimistic. I probably spend more time writing than most writers here on the message board. I am well off financially enough that I don't have to work for years. I don't have a job or any distractions. I write all day long. So, me taking 10-15 minutes out of my uneventful day to ask questions here is not wasting my time or taking away time I could be using to write. I have plenty of that.

"Write the damn book." I am writing my damn book. I really am.

Maestro, I am actually working on my autobiography of my life so far and putting the story behind my novel series into it is a great idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I may drop the "book about the books" and weave it through my autobiography. I don't know yet.

And to those who suggested this material will be great stuff for a website: you are right. And I intend to set up one when my series is published.

I hope I didn't come off insulting in my post. I'm just trying to explain myself and the reasoning for what I am doing.

Novel "Introductions"

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