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Pirate Novel Shenanigans...
🕑 Added 2024-03-24 12:26:13 +0000 UTCFriends. Potential beta readers. If you wouldn't mind lending me your advice for a moment...
I'm underway with adapting the pirate queen series into a novel (woohoo!) but since it's FOR YOU I have a query about how you would prefer the story to start. In the audios we're straight onto the boat with Cass and Clara. Now there's going to be a little bit of buildup and exposition added, obviously, as to how they get on the boat but the question is how much?
To refresh anyone's memory, there's a fire in the city whilst both Clara and Cass' crew are there. Clara gets bonked on the head and in an ill-advised split second decision, the first mate sweeps her up and brings her onto the ship for safe keeping and the story unfolds.
What are your thoughts on skimming past the fire in a reasonably quick manner versus a couple extra chapters worth of in depth detail and drama?
Let me know what you think, like I said, this book is for you guys first and foremost and I want you to get the most out of it. Besides it's just fun to chat about this stuff and give you an insight into the process!
DD x
Comments
Pomyum
I can see both approaches being good. I'll just be happy to read the story either way.
Dizzy Daisy Audio
I mean it’ll probably end up being a happy medium…
Skye Winter
I prefer detail and drama, but it looks like I'm outvoted
Dizzy Daisy Audio
With all the feedback I’m feeling a lot better about just scooting through the fire as quickly as possible 😂❤️
Starbuckswitch
I think the start already inside the cabin is perfect. it not only creates some tension and immerses u into the story right away, it also gives us this sense that we're exploring the world as the character, already being part of the story, versus just having the context fed to us beforehand in a more passive way as if we're looking from above, rather than already being involved in the story and looking from within the relationship, as someone previously mentioned.
Flozilla
I agree the in media res would make it more exciting!
Lexi
Best. I understand n agree
Noru
I'm team details and drama but I agree with other people that two chapters might be a bit much... Maybe these could be told through a journal entry or a letter of some sort later in the story?
Ria
I had this same issue with my own book. I started early that day got 3k words into chapter one and found myself setting up characters we would probably never see again. Overall it was a waste of the readers and my own time. Instead what I decided to do was start at the moment shit hit the fan. The mc gets thrown in prison. They will be on the ship the next day and thus it’s progressing the story. I also found giving my character the ability to explain why they are in this situation creates dialogue and an opportunity for multiple characters to be introduced. I’m not saying start once they are on the ship. However do consider the possibility of creating an opportunity for dialogue by letting the characters talk about what happened.
Lexi
I love your perspective and I do see what you mean . So starting from the ship then branching out is better then?
Ria
Erm 2 intro chapters might be a bit much. Typically your first chapter needs to be the inciting incident that the story is launched from. So in this case it very well could be the day the city was on fire. The thing with first chapters is that you want to have enough of the story that it holds the interest of the reader without being an exposition dump. A good way of aiding the pacing and making the book appear easier is to include dialogue on the first pages the blank space tends to aid in a faster read. Horror books use this trick to get the reader to turn the page increasing tension. Sorry for the rant lol I just really enjoy writing.
E. Eadgyth
I think I agree with Dawn and Apolline.
apolline
As Dawn said earlier: in media res is the best! Cass and Clara's story starts with their encounter on the boat. Anything they learn from each other has to be from some kind of flash back or confession they make as the relatonship grows. So we read from inside the relationship rather than from above, I hope it makes sense I am not familiar with writing technique.
Dawn Viola
I think. Starting in the cabin is a brilliant opening chapter for a bodice ripper. In medias res, as they say. Very cold open. Then you can tell the fire in little staccato flashback moments. Then chapter two or three you jump back in time to introduce the husband or the family.
Dizzy Daisy Audio
Definietly diving more into the crew's backstory for sure.
Lexi
Also I have a few other ideas you can private message ma and I can better explain them to you . Oh great writer 😁
Lexi
You can also give the first mate's story later on in too since he is a big part as well . Add a bit of his past n sexuality journey
Dizzy Daisy Audio
Ooh, I hadn't thought of a prologue but that would be helpful. So far the structure I have is Clara's set up chapter, Cass' set up chapter and then chapter three would correlate with the first episode of the audio. But a prologue for a bit of world building would be a good idea.
Lexi
I suggest a prologue and 2 intro chapters then the main story and throughout the time they reflect on the past
