“Where does my story begin?” is a far different question than “Where do I begin my story?” Exploring the first question will help you understand your character’s backstory, pursuit, and unmet desire. Examining the second question will help you zero in on the opening sentence, scene, or sequence of your novel.

QUICK FIX: Once you know your character’s pursuit, you’ll be able to narrow down the options for the opening scene. Follow the journey of the protagonist’s struggle, his choices, and their consequences. Tilt the trajectory of the story’s opening scene to the best angle to hit the climactic target you’re aiming at.

FINE-TUNING MY MANUSCRIPT

• Does the first scene accurately promise what the book will be about? If not, how can I shade the promises to be more honest to the true direction of the story?

• Is the opening memorable? Does it lock in readers’ expectations about who the main character will be? Does it include a twist that provides opportunity for escalation?

• Does my opening draw upon mystery, emotion, action, or truth? If not, what will I do about it?
• Have I given readers enough detail to help them picture the protagonist and the setting, while also trusting them by curtailing my descriptions of nonessentials?
• Does this story need a prologue to introduce a subplot or to give essential backstory about the protagonist? Knowing that some readers have hang-ups about prologues and just skip over them, how will I address that in the structure or format of my novel?