Opening with dialogue
Mar 11th, 2007 by Lynne
I’m a big fan of opening a story with dialogue — not the “As you know, Bob” stuff, but a real conversation. In 80% of my projects, the first scene starts with dialogue. There’s always something else going on, too — soldiers picking through the ashes and rubble of a still-smoldering keep, two coworkers giving their boss CPR, a woman trying to crack an enemy’s password.
I’ve run across a number of books in the last year where the story begins with dialogue but quickly gets bogged down because three or more people are involved in the conversation. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but it seems to me like the first scene may be too early to introduce that many characters with speaking parts. Dialogue tags in a conversation involving more than two people can be cumbersome when not handled carefully, and if we’re not already familiar with the characters’ mannerisms and speech patterns, the writer has to work even harder to keep things straight for the reader.
I often start books with dialogue. The the rule often is, do not start with dialogue. I think some people pull it off and some don’t.
Lynne, I agree that too much too soon is often confusing and bogs the story down. You want to kick away nice and clean, and get the momentum going, whether it’s with dialogue or not.
Lynne, I agree with you too. Dialogue can be a good start for two people or even sometimes three. Any more and it’s confusing. But if someone can do it well, go for it.
That someone probably won’t be me. *g*
Hey, Lynne! I’m trying to think here. Some of my novels have started with dialogue, but lately there’s usually a few paragraphs before that happens. I agree, too many people talking right away and it’s confusing. You haven’t gotten to know them yet.
Also be on the lookout for: the naughty lead-in comment! You know your basic, “I want sex on the beach!” and of course we find out in a few paragraphs she means a frosty beverage.
Not that you do this :) But it gets done.
I’m late to my own comments thread. :-(
But thanks, y’all, for commenting. :-)
And I totally know what you mean, Jody! The “gotcha” opening line that turns out to be a fake is often seriously annoying.