What's more engaging? (Story development)

Discussion of Castle Themed stories
Post Reply
Redav
Artisan
Posts: 257
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 5:42 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia

What's more engaging? (Story development)

Post by Redav »

So, I've been toying with the idea of writing something for a while. Nothing grand with no aims other than something to do for myself and maybe with a friend or two.

I have a bit of an idea for a canvas of a realm or two and it's backstory. The story I was thinking of writing wasn't about characters who are directly involved with what's going on but this stuff goes on as a backdrop to their story. What I'm wondering is whether it's more engaging / interesting to start their story before things in the background descend into anarchy or after things have fallen and then settled a bit and then take off again.

Any thoughts?
Team Jesus

[url=http://www.brickset.com/search/?ownedBy=redav]My Brickset List[/url]
[url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/redavthe1st/]My Flickr Photostream[/url]
User avatar
Lawkeeper
Peasant
Posts: 69
Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2007 10:01 am
Location: Birchvale, south of Fort Mallard
Contact:

Re: What's more engaging? (Story development)

Post by Lawkeeper »

If you've got the time you could do both, perhaps leave a gap in the middle like a 'before and after' comparison.

When you start before the 'fall', the readers will be more engaged with the background story and will understand what's happening or has happened better. They will develop a relation to your story and hopefully see it before their mind's eye.

Starting after the 'fall' will have the readers start without much knowledge of what is going on and they'll have to figure it out for themselves using the pieces of information you provide to them as a writer. This is more challenging and enveloping for the readers but the writing needs to be done right. If you leave them in the dark for too long they'll put the book down/close the file and won't read any further. If you explain the entirety of the previous leading to that downfall it might be too much to swallow for the readers and they'll be buried in a heap of names, dates and events. It's really a matter of balance, I believe.
User avatar
Medieval Guy
Squire
Posts: 621
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 11:58 pm
Location: "Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains!"

Re: What's more engaging? (Story development)

Post by Medieval Guy »

I like to understand what's going on in a story. Then again, I'm much more detail oriented when it comes to books than all my friends are. Maybe your decision depends on your target audience?
[url=http://www.mocpages.com/home.php/70980]MOCpages[/url]
User avatar
DarkTemplar
Leonardo
Posts: 152
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:03 pm

Re: What's more engaging? (Story development)

Post by DarkTemplar »

Try both and see what flows better for you while you write. If it flows well when you write it should dothe same for readers. If you feel while writing it that it's like pushing a boulder up a hill then you should try a different angle. Also have someone else read it when your done, but before publishing to see what they think.
Post Reply