Writing a Magical Opening

 

By Martin Wiles

I read . . . and read . . . and read some more. Finally, after fifty pages, I arrived at the end of the first chapter. The publisher was paying me to edit this manuscript, so I had to read it. But I wondered how many potential readers would do the same. Or, perish the thought, would they toss the book across the room against the wall and grieve over the money they had wasted?

Whether writing or editing a devotion, article, short story, or book, we must strive for a magical opening. With short attention spans now the norm, readers expect action quickly—very quickly.

The author of the present manuscript (MS) did an excellent job with the other things needed in a MS of any size. He presented the setting, identified the protagonist, and introduced several other major characters. But what he didn’t do—and what must be done—is include a conflict or disturbance. This is what readers want to see VERY early in anything we read.

After all, conflicts fill our lives. By reading, we see how imaginary characters faced and overcame those struggles. If they didn’t, we observe how they adjusted to life with a new perspective. Even if they die in the process, we should learn from their example of heroism, and, as a writer, we should leave our readers feeling satisfied with an end they didn’t expect.

Back to my author. As an editor, we never know how a writer might respond to our suggestions. After all, we can’t force them to accept them, but we hope they will. Our job as editors is not to put our voice in the MS or make an author’s writing our own. We are tasked with helping writers make their writings the best they can be. As Christian editors, we want the MS to sing for God’s glory. Communicating our desire to our clients thoughtfully and considerately will open them up to our suggestions.

Is fifty pages too much for an opening chapter—or any chapter? According to the experts, probably so. I finally discovered the conflict for the protagonist, but it was far into the second chapter—not in the first few pages.

Whether editing, writing, or both, we need magical openings. We want to seize the reader’s attention so they will keep reading the present book and any more we may write. What’s the answer? A professor once told me the key to church growth was location, location, location. The key to a magical opening is conflict, conflict, conflict.

Very early in the writing, the main character must face a life-altering conflict (spiritual, physical, psychological). Think man versus man, man versus God, man versus nature, or man versus himself. This conflict will propel her through the central plot points, carrying her to the climax and eventually the resolution and denouement (untying the final knot).

As I write this, I’m unsure how the author will respond to my suggestion. Taking it would require dividing the first chapter and reorganizing so the conflict comes early in the story. But this magical opening would increase the chances that readers will latch onto the story and read to the end.

Whether you write or edit, take as much time as needed to write that magical opening. You won’t regret the time invested.

Martin Wiles is the founder of Love Lines from God (www.lovelinesfromgod.com) and serves as Managing Editor for Christian Devotions and as a copy editor for Courier Publishing. He has authored six books and has been published in numerous publications. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, author, and pastor. 

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Sira Anamwong