OK to start a novel with dialogue?
- Thread starter darrtwish
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2006
- Messages
- 4,527
- Reaction score
- 1,182
- Location
- Ottawa, Canada and Spring City, PA
- Website
- janetursel.com
Anything is acceptable if it works. It's a little harder to make it work when there is no context yet, but not impossible.
Yes, it's a good idea. Just make sure that what is said at the very beginning makes the reader ask questions, this way they're drawn in.
The in the book "The First Five Pages", Noah Lukeman (who was/is a literary agent) says he finds books that start with dialogue a weak opening.
Naturally this is just one agent's perspective, but I've been reading opening lines from my favourite authors recently, and none started with dialogue.
Personally I'd try and set the scene. The first few lines are so important, and I don't think dialogue can capture your reader as strongly as a good opening line.
I'd recommend checking out a well known and successful authors in your genre, and just have a look at their opening lines. It can show a lot of insight as to what agents/publishers are looking for in your particular area.
cheers
Sam
Naturally this is just one agent's perspective, but I've been reading opening lines from my favourite authors recently, and none started with dialogue.
Personally I'd try and set the scene. The first few lines are so important, and I don't think dialogue can capture your reader as strongly as a good opening line.
I'd recommend checking out a well known and successful authors in your genre, and just have a look at their opening lines. It can show a lot of insight as to what agents/publishers are looking for in your particular area.
cheers
Sam
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2007
- Messages
- 155
- Reaction score
- 13
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Website
- tachyondecay.net
From JPod, by Douglas Coupland. Best. Opening. Ever.
This was the first novel I read by him (and my favourite). It immediately put me at ease with his style, because I know that he wants to make fun of himself (little did I know what was in store for me!). By the fourth line of dialogue, we get the idea that the opening remark was off-topic and there's something much more important going on. Then it launches into the story proper.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2005
- Messages
- 43,746
- Reaction score
- 8,654
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.amazon.com
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2006
- Messages
- 9,709
- Reaction score
- 2,054
- Age
- 48
- Location
- uk
- Website
- www.lukewalkerwriter.com
Acceptable to whom? Agents, readers, family, that bloke who talks to himself in my local? You won't make everyone happy with your writing so don't try. All you need to do is write to the best of your abilities. And then write better than that for your next book.
I see no reason why not. I think, as with the many good books that start with dialogue, it should have a good "hook" opening to get the readers attention. That applies to any book, regardless of how it starts.
That applies to any book, regardless of how it starts.Mine does, because that was what the voice in my head was saying. I didn't even consider that it might be a no-no. It is only one sentence of eleven words, though. Not so much dialogue as a one-liner.
Opening with dialogue can work as long as it's not too cryptic or meandering. Same is true of opening with action, and that's natural enough, as dialogue is a form of action. As with any opening, make sure it dangles a promise tasty enough to hook the reader, whether it's the promise of thrilling adventure, fascinating characters, trenchant social commentary, or lots of laughs. Then keep the promise.
Like in journalism, it's a weak start, but there's nothing wrong with it. The quote's got to be a stunner and, as mentioned above, there's got to be quick attribution. And, of course, your reason for/the importance of starting a story with a quote is ... ?
If you open with dialogue, keep in mind you know the setting and who is speaking to whom. Don't make the reader wait too long before sharing that information with him.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2008
- Messages
- 526
- Reaction score
- 113
Yes and no.
I've heard in several places (all agent/editor blogs. One of them was Author!Author!) to avoid starting with dialogue. Come to think of it, I've heard this bit of advice on other writing forums, too.
The reason is, when you start with dialogue, you drop the readers in the middle of something. For most writers, it's an argument, battle, etc. It's disorienting. Nobody knows these characters yet, so they don't really care what situation they're in. I haven't seen a novel pull it off yet. The line has to be stunning; it really has to hook. . . then it has to fit in with everything else.
Your first line helps set the tone of your entire story. So if you have a real zinger of a dialogue line, then that sets the tone for the entire story. I'm not saying a reader will go through your story, saying, 'hot damn that first line sizzled, why don't the rest of the words sizzle?' I'm saying if your entire story doesn't deliver that quality found in the first line, then it will be sort of disappointing. And if the line's a bad one? Readers will wonder if you were drunk when you wrote that line and liked it so much you decided it should stay anyway.
Like almost anything in writing, however, you can make this work. I've never seen it done well, but I'm sure fellow AWers can come up with at least one work that does start with dialogue well.
For most people, it's best not to open with dialogue, I think.
I've never seen an argument for or against it. Go with what works for you and the story you're telling.
If we're talking quick talk, on the spot, then yes, it'll help set a pace, but beware of bogging.
Hmmm...I've never thought, "This doesn't work!" when I read a book that starts with dialogue, well, unless it's not a good book at all.
But looking back, so far, none of my books open with dialogue.
But several chapters do.
But looking back, so far, none of my books open with dialogue.
But several chapters do.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2005
- Messages
- 43,746
- Reaction score
- 8,654
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.amazon.com
It's not technically a dialogue, but it's close:
The opening line of Mrs. Dalloway:
It puts us right in the scene, and introduces the main character. The only thing that is not there is the setting. But soon enough, we see the setting. Like bufty said, if you want to start with a dialogue, make sure you place the readers very soon: people, places, and situation.
The opening line of Mrs. Dalloway:
It puts us right in the scene, and introduces the main character. The only thing that is not there is the setting. But soon enough, we see the setting. Like bufty said, if you want to start with a dialogue, make sure you place the readers very soon: people, places, and situation.
I think this effect has a lot more intrigue than if it has actually been dialogue.
For example:
"I'll buy the flowers myself," Mrs Dalloway said.
...sounds really quite boring in comparison.
The real opening, the statement rather than the dialogue, I find a lot more interesting, and it immediately raises questions, almost a discomfort about what may be happening.
I personally don't get that feel from the same words but in dialogue form.
As was mentioned above, I don't start a novel with dialogue, but I HAVE started chapters with dialoge -- by then the reader is already familiar enough to know what is going on.
But of course, we just do what feels right for our particular work.
cheers
Sam
I read somewhere (I can't remember where now) that starting a novel with dialogue is like a movie that starts with a black screen but you can hear the audio. I didn't understand this at first but then started to pay more attention to the movies that I watched and, just like in novels, there are times when it can work and other times when it doesn't work as well.
I think it's fine, as long as you do it right. You don't want your whole first page filled with nothing but dialogue, of course. But if the first line or two has dialogue, then you give context, that's fine. I've also read that starting with dialogue is frowned upon by some, but frankly, I feel insulted as a reader by that statement. I like to read a book that starts with dialogue. And I'm perfectly capable of waiting for a second or two to read the background info. I mean, isn't that the point of your opening? To make the reader keep reading? What better way, imo, than to give the reader a juicy line of dialogue, and have the reader want to know more? Good luck!
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 3,110
- Reaction score
- 755
- Location
- Pennsylvania
- Website
- www.susangable.com
My last book opened with dialogue.
So, yeah, the first line is dialogue, but the next sentence gives you more of the setting, who said what to whom, and the obvious fact that there's conflict between these characters. (the conflict between father and daughter was the central issue to the book.)
So heck yeah, it can be done. Has been done. By plenty of folks.
Susan G.
So, yeah, the first line is dialogue, but the next sentence gives you more of the setting, who said what to whom, and the obvious fact that there's conflict between these characters. (the conflict between father and daughter was the central issue to the book.)
So heck yeah, it can be done. Has been done. By plenty of folks.
Susan G.
I'm thinking that the guiding factor would likely be the
individual writer's style rather than "right or wrong" considerations.
The content of the dialogue would also be critical in
that "what" is being said, rather than "how much" is
being said would be a concern.
My 2 cents
Best,
Joe
individual writer's style rather than "right or wrong" considerations.
The content of the dialogue would also be critical in
that "what" is being said, rather than "how much" is
being said would be a concern.
My 2 cents
Best,
Joe
- Status