Very interesting topic! I haven't compared the starts of books like this, but it really is eye-opening to see how different these introductions are. (Also very cool that you started reading Malice!). I think the introduction is often very important, especially for authors who don't already have a big name. The intro will hook a reader and convince them to keep reading the rest of the book. It also sets up the feel and premise of the story. I've often heard that starting in the middle of some action is a good way to hook a reader, like in The Balde Itself. Or starting with a mystery, like in Malice. I think slower starts like in Tolkien (which I absolutely love) risks losing the reader early on. Personally, I'm happy with any introduction that sets up a cool story or world, even if it is slow.
Interesting discussion. When it comes to writing the start of a book, to me, the advice is always to have a killer opening line that will knock the reader's socks off. The opening line should hint at what the main theme of the story is going to be, it must have a hook, set the tone, and make a promise to the reader. An opening line is a way in to the story for both the reader and the writer. The opening line captures the spirit of the story, its voice and intent and can help remind the writer just what they’re trying to say. But not every writer is going to come up with something like "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." Personally, I think the opening paragraphs are more interesting. As an example the opening paragraphs of 'The Black Company' are dark and glooming with a twist of humour. With 'Gardens of the Moon' I don't know if I'm interpreting correctly, with the benefit of having read the series, but the opening paragraph of the prologue serves an an allegory for the series. Whether the start of a story is bright and optimistic, of dark and foreboding, as long as the opening captures the spirit of the story, its voice and intent , I'll continue reading.
Interesting perspectives as always. Thanks. Yes I think you are right in what you say about Malazan. Black company is in my bookshelf waiting for me :). Another opening I come to think of is Stephen Kings The Gunslinger. "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. It really sets the tone for everything in the Dark Tower. Your answers make me think about books whose beginnings did not appeal to me. I don't really like to have a "negative starting point" when discussing things. Still I can really let go of that thought.
Very interesting topic! I haven't compared the starts of books like this, but it really is eye-opening to see how different these introductions are. (Also very cool that you started reading Malice!). I think the introduction is often very important, especially for authors who don't already have a big name. The intro will hook a reader and convince them to keep reading the rest of the book. It also sets up the feel and premise of the story. I've often heard that starting in the middle of some action is a good way to hook a reader, like in The Balde Itself. Or starting with a mystery, like in Malice. I think slower starts like in Tolkien (which I absolutely love) risks losing the reader early on. Personally, I'm happy with any introduction that sets up a cool story or world, even if it is slow.
Interesting discussion.
When it comes to writing the start of a book, to me, the advice is always to have a killer opening line that will knock the reader's socks off. The opening line should hint at what the main theme of the story is going to be, it must have a hook, set the tone, and make a promise to the reader.
An opening line is a way in to the story for both the reader and the writer. The opening line captures the spirit of the story, its voice and intent and can help remind the writer just what they’re trying to say.
But not every writer is going to come up with something like "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."
Personally, I think the opening paragraphs are more interesting. As an example the opening paragraphs of 'The Black Company' are dark and glooming with a twist of humour.
With 'Gardens of the Moon' I don't know if I'm interpreting correctly, with the benefit of having read the series, but the opening paragraph of the prologue serves an an allegory for the series.
Whether the start of a story is bright and optimistic, of dark and foreboding, as long as the opening captures the spirit of the story, its voice and intent , I'll continue reading.
Interesting perspectives as always. Thanks. Yes I think you are right in what you say about Malazan. Black company is in my bookshelf waiting for me :). Another opening I come to think of is Stephen Kings The Gunslinger. "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. It really sets the tone for everything in the Dark Tower. Your answers make me think about books whose beginnings did not appeal to me. I don't really like to have a "negative starting point" when discussing things. Still I can really let go of that thought.