Support for Indie Authors discussion

Okay, everyone. I released book 3 in my fantasy series in June, and I've only written 2.5 chapters for book 4 since then. In the past week, I haven't written a single word. There are many excuses for this, which include the fact that I'm home with my elementary school aged son every day, I have summer foggy brain, I've convinced myself that taking a break is a good thing, I have post-vacation blues, etc etc etc.

But, I just had an inspired realization. I have packed my first two chapters with lots of action, thinking I don't want my readers to be bored, and this morning I suddenly realized that may not be the way to go.

A lot of things happened at the end of book 3. World-changing things. Character changing things. If my readers are invested, which I truly hope they are at this point, then wouldn't they want to read about the character and world development that happened after the climactic events at the end of the last book? It would be cheating the readers and myself if I didn't give Azi (the main character) some time to digest things.

Maybe, 4 books in, now, I don't need to worry so much about drawing the reader in with an action-packed first chapter. Maybe, hopefully, they will be excited to read nuances instead.

Even though I've published a couple books already, I still feel like a newbie sometimes. This is my first series. I hope I'm doing okay with it. What do you think? Do I need to start every book with an action punch? Or is it okay to be a bit more subtle this far into it, and explore emotions instead? I'm interested in your opinions as readers and authors, and not as much in the "should dos" of writing. Thanks!

It's difficult to know which is the best way to go, and it really depends on whether the book is to be a stand-alone, or dependent on the previous books for full understanding. I'm writing a sequel to my second novel, and I want it to be a stand-alone, so I have to draw the reader in. I start with an action scene, hinting more to come, and then settle into updating the characters' lives from the ending of the first book. I intersperse more action scenes to move the story along as I do this.

Will your book serve as a stand-alone? If so, you do have to engage the readers as soon as possible. If not--if the readers are expected to have read the preceding books--an update of the characters before the action starts may be what the readers want and expect.

The series is sequential, so although I might add a little review of previous important points here and there, I'm assuming the previous three have been read.

Personally, I don't believe there's a wrong choice as long as you write what feels right for the overall story. Usually, when a book in a series ends on a cliff hanger, I like it when the following book eases me back into things, hinting at what left me craving more when I finished the previous book.

I would suggest keeping what you have and writing an alternate first couple of chapters and then compare. How do they match up with the ending of the previous book? What feels more right for the current book?

One fella's opinion.

Thanks, guys. What you're saying definitely is what I needed to hear. My philosophy for this entire project has been to tell the story as it wants to be told, and sometimes I get derailed from that, mostly by my own insecurities. There are scenes I have in my head that I know should be there, but I pushed them away thinking they aren't compelling or exciting enough. I guess I'm afraid of having readers invested in the story and disappointing them. But I need to remember that if they've come this far with me, they are already invested, and they already like my style.

I am really, really afraid of the story becoming boring without my realizing it.

Why not work the processing into the action? Have him distracted by what happened recently, losing the fight, somehow coming through in the end or just beat to a pulp and left on the side of the road because he couldn't get it together?

Missy wrote: "Okay, everyone. I released book 3 in my fantasy series in June, and I've only written 2.5 chapters for book 4 since then. In the past week, I haven't written a single word. There are many excuses f..."

I recently read an article about this very thing. Action is great as long as there is context for it. If we know why the characters are fighting, then there isn't anything wrong with the action. The conflict is why the characters are fighting, not that they are fighting.

Dylan wrote: "Missy wrote: "Okay, everyone. I released book 3 in my fantasy series in June, and I've only written 2.5 chapters for book 4 since then. In the past week, I haven't written a single word. There are ..."
I think I read that same article this morning. :)

I think it was Dickens who said that every third chapter should have some sort of cliffhanger that makes the reader wanting more. Maybe that has shrunk in our modern age, but if you don't employ action, I think as long as it's engaging right off the top, then you'll be ok.

A story doesn't have to be non-stop action to be interesting. You might lose some adrenaline junkies if you go a whole chapter without a fight or an explosion, but it's hard to keep some peoples' attention no matter what. The trick is finding the balance so everyone gets a bit of what they like most, really. Dylan's comment about action being great if there is context to it is spot-on, IMO.

Echoing Owen; my opinion is to have the character process while things are going on around them. It feels more real to me because that's what happens in life. How often do we have time to sit and contemplate what happened vs reacting and dealing with things as we go?

I've done a similar thing between books where the end of one chapter means running into new action, and the same with the end of the books. It may not be extreme actions like fighting, but it's the characters jumping in and pursuing new adventure. It's a style that I've employed and my readers expect that.

If you've set precedence in previous books in the series that you start with action, and then don't with the next sequential novel, you might throw your current readers off. That also may not happen, but it's something to consider.

Hey Missy,

My advice is going to be very similar to what I said to Elora on her post yesterday. Every book has a chance of being exciting and every book has a chance of being boring. It's up to us, the authors, to find a way to keep it exciting.

I haven't read any of your books (yet) and I have no idea how you are at finding the balance to keep the books interesting. I will tell you this, though. Action does not necessarily mean excitement. Lack of action does not have to be boring. It's all in how you handle the moments.

In the end, it's your story. If your instinct is telling you to break away from the non-stop action and have the characters reflect on the changes in them and the world around them, go for it. Often times our own instincts are the best judges. And, later, when you finish the first draft if you find you made a mistake, you can always fix it up. Courage to you, my friend!

Hi Missy,
As a reader of your first book, I hope it's okay to offer my thoughts.

I think you solved your own problem when you stated you wanted to give Azi time to digest things. I think she deserves that. She is a very strong character, but even the greatest heroines need time to grieve, rest, step back... whatever they need to do.

EDIT: I believe your readers are invested at this point and look forward to reading your story the way you tell it. : )

Best of luck with your book. I know it will be amazing.
Hugs, Sue : ) <3

Hi Missy,

haven't read your books yet, so whatever I say is rather generic. Personally, I prefer slower beginnings, let me get my bearings before you rush off with the next blood soaked episode. Plus, I am a sucker for catching the reader completely off guard. Do something unexpected! But whatever it is you put in there, keep it fresh, keep the reader invested.

I sound so wise... makes me wanna puke... only published my first novel 2 months ago :P

Kick ass, no matter what.

Go with your gut feeling, Missy. I think that often, when an author can't seem to be able to write (the infamous author's block), it means one thing: Something he or she is doing doesn't please the character(s).

Let Azi talk to you. She is a fabulous character. Who knows better her story then herself?

As for beginning that grabs the readers, remember that action is not always what readers want. Emotion packed works just a well, especially when the readers already know and love the character(s).

I'm with Thomas on this. Even though this is your fourth book, you still need to hook the reader at the get go and interspersing the action with whatever Azi is going through sounds good, although you dont need to do it right at the beginning - maybe further along in the book? And what G.G. said. I've ignored my gut feeling at my peril.

Yes. Okay. I know where to go now. There is an elephant in the room that needs addressing, and the more I think about it, the more I realize that this is action, too, just a different sort of action. There is an underlying conflict that has been happening which needs to come out in the open. I think the reason why I've been subconsciously avoiding it is that it's going to be heartbreaking for Azi when it happens.

Those of you who have read, don't worry. It's not Rian. She needs him!

Thanks for all of your input, everyone! It's great to have such an amazing supportive group to bounce things off of. :)