Connecting Readers and Writers discussion

What are opinions on starting a chapter with a line of dialogue. I've seen lots of people against it but I feel it can be effective in moderation. Thoughts.

Dave
http://meshnovel.wordpress.com/
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When done correctly, it hooks me to the book right away. But if there's too much dialogue and not enough description and/or explanations, I start to lose interest.

I have no problem with it.

I agree with Kayla. Done correctly, and in moderation, it's a great way to get me hooked.

I, too, agree...done well and in moderation, it can be great. Too much and I lose interest.

I've started books/stories with dialogue. I never thought about it, just depends on the story.

Personally, I feel it is irrelevant if the a novel/chapter begins with dialogue. If the writing is strong, it will work. Some writers are more gifted with dialogue than others, so if that is your strength, then I would suggest you follow it.

http://burntbridge.net/stories/gods-n...

Above is a link to a short story published online by Burnt Bridge Literary Journal that begins with dialogue between a Pentecostal Evangelist and a preacher's daughter about to have sex in the back of a pick-up truck after church one Sunday night.

I thought opening with the dialogue was the perfect way to start the story and drop you right into the truck bed along with them as he struggles to remove her bra.

This also happens to be the title story for my collection being published this fall by Burnt Bridge. I'd love to hear if anyone thinks the opening is effective or not. I have in fact began several of my stories with dialogue.

I love it! It's a great hook if the dialogue launches us into the story and makes us ask some story questions. Also can set the tone for the beginning. Its especially great if I'm the reader, as I tend to skim/skip descriptives and expositions b/c it bores me.

I once wrote a short story that started with dialogue. Later you learn that the dialogue wasn't only playful, it had a serious reason to be introduced first due to the story's ending.

Starting out a chapter with dialogue can be fascinating, but it depends on the skill of the author. The dialogue has to work hard to establish the setting, and if the author isn't ingenious enough to convey the appropriate information using only the characters' voices, it can be a bad thing.