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unclearthur
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I have a proposed story which includes the discovery of two artifacts. Whilst the action of discovery of each is relatively unimportant to the main plot, the items themselves are. Both will appear later on in the story which means I have to introduce them at some point, or at least hint at their significance. The first artifact is 12th century. No problem there - I can use a prologue. The reader should realise what the item is but that's not an issue. The second artifact is older but I propose to introduce it in a scene at the end of the 18th century. That's 11 years before the majority of my action takes place, but in a relative time period (Napoleonic Wars). Readers may guess at what the item is but it won't become clear in the narrative until much later. My question is this: do you think it would be better to use a short-chapter 'Introduction' for the first artifact, with a 'Prologue' for the second (I know lots of you don't like prologues, but I do), or stick with a short-chapter prologue for the first and maybe a single chapter 'Book 1' or similar for the second? Personally, I don't think just a chapter break between the second introduction and the main story is sufficient. And I hate chapter headings which say '...X years later.' So passe, don't y'know.  Anyone done anything similar before? All suggestions gratefully received. http://cavalrytales.wordpress.com
 www.cavalrytales.co.uk'The battle that never ends is the battle of belief against disbelief'
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Midwinter Jim
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Make the first chapter the start of the story. Easy. If these items need introducing, then weave them into the narrative.
Or, if they must come first, you could title their "discovery" chapters by their names: e.g "Sacraficial Sword" or "Mythical Monocle"
But I really must stres;, start your story at the beginning! This sounds simple, but far too many people begin their novels with backstory and introductions. Boring!
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CaroleH
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I beg to differ - it's another rool of writing: start your story in the middle of the action.
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bunnykin
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Another rule.......?to start in the middle of the action..?Haven't heard of that one.
My novel (The Secret of the Pearl Sword) is a similar 2 Parter - Part 1 set in 1525, Part 2 in 1545.
But Chapter 1 of Part 1 is set in 2002, and ends with the question by a character along the lines of 'Where did the Pearl Sword come from?'
I think this device will work, rather than having a separate Intro/Prologue/whatever......but I'm still thinking about it!
Maybe your 2 artifacts are linked.........?
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unclearthur
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Quote: Midwinter Jim, Tuesday, 28 Jun 2011 16:07Make the first chapter the start of the story. Easy. If these items need introducing, then weave them into the narrative. Or, if they must come first, you could title their "discovery" chapters by their names: e.g "Sacraficial Sword" or "Mythical Monocle" But I really must stres;, start your story at the beginning! This sounds simple, but far too many people begin their novels with backstory and introductions. Boring! I'd tend to agree. But read any Clive Cussler 'Dirk Pitt' novel and each has a prologue relating to 'something' (usually an artifact) that's important to the eventual outcome. Yes, I know he uses far to much show - 'a '55 Chevy sporting a 427 cubic inch hemi engine' - or somesuch, which anyone on YWO would be slated for, but he sells millions. I wish, eh? http://cavalrytales.wordpress.com
www.cavalrytales.co.uk'The battle that never ends is the battle of belief against disbelief'
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unclearthur
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Quote: bunnykin, Tuesday, 28 Jun 2011 17:45Another rule.......?to start in the middle of the action..?Haven't heard of that one. My novel (The Secret of the Pearl Sword) is a similar 2 Parter - Part 1 set in 1525, Part 2 in 1545. But Chapter 1 of Part 1 is set in 2002, and ends with the question by a character along the lines of 'Where did the Pearl Sword come from?' I think this device will work, rather than having a separate Intro/Prologue/whatever......but I'm still thinking about it! Maybe your 2 artifacts are linked.........? I've sort-of done that, and wanted the structure of this story (fourth in series) to be different. Basically, the second story has a prologue set just before the final chapter, time-wise. So the majority of the narrative is backstory, if you like, telling how one of the MCs came to end up as he was in that prologue. The only link between the two artifacts is one MC whose beliefs make him give them away. I'd have loved there to have been a real historical link, but no such luck! http://cavalrytales.wordpress.com
www.cavalrytales.co.uk'The battle that never ends is the battle of belief against disbelief'
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unclearthur
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Quote: CaroleH, Tuesday, 28 Jun 2011 17:03I beg to differ - it's another rool of writing: start your story in the middle of the action. Ah - that sounds like Mr Cornwell. 'Start with a battle, end with a battle and if you get stuck anywhere invent a battle.' Or words to that effect. Works for him. http://cavalrytales.wordpress.com
www.cavalrytales.co.uk'The battle that never ends is the battle of belief against disbelief'
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Xean
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Quote: unclearthur, Tuesday, 28 Jun 2011 13:18I have a proposed story which includes the discovery of two artifacts. Whilst the action of discovery of each is relatively unimportant to the main plot, the items themselves are. Both will appear later on in the story which means I have to introduce them at some point, or at least hint at their significance. The first artifact is 12th century. No problem there - I can use a prologue. The reader should realise what the item is but that's not an issue. The second artifact is older but I propose to introduce it in a scene at the end of the 18th century. That's 11 years before the majority of my action takes place, but in a relative time period (Napoleonic Wars). Readers may guess at what the item is but it won't become clear in the narrative until much later. My question is this: do you think it would be better to use a short-chapter 'Introduction' for the first artifact, with a 'Prologue' for the second (I know lots of you don't like prologues, but I do), or stick with a short-chapter prologue for the first and maybe a single chapter 'Book 1' or similar for the second? Personally, I don't think just a chapter break between the second introduction and the main story is sufficient. And I hate chapter headings which say '...X years later.' So passe, don't y'know. Anyone done anything similar before? All suggestions gratefully received. http://cavalrytales.wordpress.com Hello unclearthur, We've never been introduced but my name is Xean and I think we know each other from writersandartists. I was pleasantly surprised to find you here. It's good to finally meet you. To answer your question, I have to put myself in your shoes. What would I do if I were you? Mount a mare and go for a ride! No, ahaahaha, just kidding; though I've never gone for a horseride in the country before, so it's on my list of things to do someday. Back to the subject. I'm inclined to say the second is the better of the two ways you describe. But all this really depends on the flow of the story. Unless you've written something down and get the feel of it, it's likely not going to make much sense which way will be better in the long run. Of course, the story is in your head, not mine so you probably have more sense of direction where you want the story to go. My suggestion to get a clearer picture is pick a way, begin writing and see how it develops. You can always change the introductions around or modify later if you don't like it, but you have to get a feeling for it first.
This post was last edited by Xean, 28 Jun 2011, 21:41
Quest to illume true bliss, part of and beyond the self.
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unclearthur
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Hi Xean - been on this site for around 4 years now. Best thing I ever did as far as improving my writing is concerned. My gut feeling is to go the Prologue/Part 1/Part 2 route if only because one character appears in both Parts, even though, in the second, in name only. But that fact ties them together. Like you say, it's early days. Afraid I'm one of those sad people who likes to get a preliminary structure sorted as well as an outline: I find it helps me write (as do a title or two and some idea of a cover pic). Hope you stick around. YWO has the most professional and helpful reviewers I've come across. Cutting, sometimes, but if you can't stand the heat... Cheers, Jonathan http://cavalrytales.wordpress.com
This post was last edited by unclearthur, 28 Jun 2011, 22:24
www.cavalrytales.co.uk'The battle that never ends is the battle of belief against disbelief'
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Xean
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Quote: unclearthur, Tuesday, 28 Jun 2011 22:24Hi Xean - been on this site for around 4 years now. Best thing I ever did as far as improving my writing is concerned. My gut feeling is to go the Prologue/Part 1/Part 2 route if only because one character appears in both Parts, even though, in the second, in name only. But that fact ties them together. Like you say, it's early days. Afraid I'm one of those sad people who likes to get a preliminary structure sorted as well as an outline: I find it helps me write (as do a title or two and some idea of a cover pic). Hope you stick around. YWO has the most professional and helpful reviewers I've come across. Cutting, sometimes, but if you can't stand the heat... Cheers, Jonathan http://cavalrytales.wordpress.com Jonathan, Cheers! Four years is a good amount of time. Glad to hear you have found this site helpful. I've been here several months so I still haven't had the opportunity to avail it's potential for achievement. But I believe in YWO just as I believe in WritersandArtists and intend to be here for a long time to come. Apart from a few unsavory characters, I find it mostly friendly and helpful. A place where a writer like myself can connect and give encouragement to fellow writers while helping them and receiving help in return through the review system. As for the heat, I've pretty much seen and heard it all in my first couple months' baptism by fire here and if that's the best they can do, they're a long way off from singeing me. I'm not about to let anything discourage me from availing the good things YWO has to offer. A question I've been meaning to ask... your unclearthur doesn't by any chance happen to be derived from Paul Lynde's timeless character? I love that series, not so much the new movie though.
This post was last edited by Xean, 29 Jun 2011, 02:14
Quest to illume true bliss, part of and beyond the self.
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Prologue? Introduction? Help!!!
28 Jun 2011, 13:18
