Knowledge Base
Find Answers to Your Self-Publishing Questions: Search Our Knowledge Base and Master the Terminology
Starting
Introduction To Childrens Book Publishing
Creating The Ideal Writing Environment For Childrens Book Authors
The Importance Of Crafting An Effective Book Summary
Brainstorming And Conceptualizing Ideas For Your Childrens Book
Planning
How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices
Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing
Structuring Your Childrens Book Plot Climax And Falling Action
Your Childrens Book Tone Theme And Point Of View
How To Define The Place And Setting For Your Story
Writing
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live
The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft
Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book
How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book
How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book
Effective Techniques For Childrens Books
Registrations
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
Designing
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design
Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format
How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book
Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book
Editing
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication
How To Find And Hire A Professional Editor For Your Illustrated Book
How To Get Feedback On Your Manuscript
Publishing
Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book
Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats
Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution
Understanding Isbn Pcn And Pcip For Childrens Book
Navigating Legal Aspects Of Copyright And Infringement In Childrens Book
Navigating Contracts And Rights For Childrens Books
Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books
Marketing
Building An Author Brand And Online Presence
Navigating Book Reviews And Publicity For Childrens Books
Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores
Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books
Maximizing Your Reach Utilizing Social Media And Online Platforms For Childrens Books
Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books
Community
Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators
Enhancing Skills With Workshops Webinars And Learning Opportunities In Childrens Book Publishing
Maximizing Your Publishing Success With Made Live Resources And Support
Building Connections Networking With Other Childrens Book Authors
Business
Navigating Literary Agents And Query Letters For Childrens Books
Advanced Marketing Techniques And Analytics For Childrens Picture Books
Leveraging Technology In Childrens Book Publishing
Staying Ahead Keeping Up With Industry Trends And Changes In Childrens Book Publishing
Embracing Diversity Exploring Diverse Themes And Representation In Childrens Books
Mastering The Query Process In Childrens Book Publishing
How to Plan Where Your Story Begins
How to Plan Where Your Story Begins
Overview: The beginning of your story, or exposition, is one of the most important parts of your book. It introduces your main character’s world, gives readers a sense of what their normal life is like, and sparks interest to keep them reading. A strong beginning should establish the tone of the story and set up the conflict or problem that the character will face. In this article, we’ll guide you through how to plan where your story begins and how to create an opening that hooks readers from the start.
Why the Beginning Matters
The beginning of your story is your chance to draw readers in and set the stage for what’s to come. A compelling exposition not only introduces your character and setting but also gives readers a reason to care about what happens next. It should leave them wanting more and eager to turn the page. By planning where your story begins, you can ensure that the opening captures the reader’s attention and sets the right tone for the rest of the book.
Key Considerations When Planning the Beginning of Your Story
1. Show the Main Character’s Normal Life
The beginning of your story should offer a glimpse into the main character’s everyday life before the main conflict or adventure begins. This helps readers understand who the character is and what their world is like. By establishing this normalcy, you create a baseline that will be disrupted by the story’s inciting incident.
- Describe the character’s normal life in a way that gives readers insight into their personality, habits, or environment.
- Set up the character’s world so readers have context for the changes that will occur later in the story.
Questions to Ask:
- Does the beginning show what the main character’s normal life is like?
- Have I given enough detail for readers to understand the character’s world?
2. Establish the Tone and Mood
The tone and mood of your story should be evident from the very first page. Whether your book is humorous, adventurous, or heartwarming, make sure the beginning sets the right tone and gives readers a sense of what to expect.
- Set the tone and mood through descriptive language, dialogue, or illustrations.
- Use the opening to hint at the type of story readers are about to experience.
Questions to Ask:
Does the beginning set the right tone and mood for the story?
Have I used language and descriptions that match the overall tone of the book?
3. Introduce the Main Character’s Goal or Desire
While the beginning of your story shows the character’s normal life, it should also hint at their main goal or desire. What does the character want or need? This gives readers a sense of what the character is striving for and sets up the stakes for the story.
- Introduce the character’s main goal or desire early on, so readers understand what motivates them.
- Hint at the character’s inner conflict or challenge, which will become more evident as the story progresses.
Questions to Ask:
Have I introduced the character’s goal or desire in the beginning?
Does the beginning give readers a sense of what’s at stake for the character?
4. Hook Readers with a Strong Opening Line
Your opening line is your first opportunity to hook readers and spark their interest. It should be intriguing, set the stage for the story, and make readers want to know what happens next.
- Create an opening line that captures attention, whether through an interesting description, piece of dialogue, or question.
- Use the first sentence to set the tone and hint at what’s to come.
Questions to Ask:
- Does the opening line capture the reader’s attention?
- Have I created a strong first sentence that makes readers want to keep reading?
How to Plan the Beginning of Your Story
Step 1: Describe the Main Character’s Normal Life
Start by describing your main character’s everyday life. Show what they do, where they live, and what their world is like before the main conflict or event begins. This will set the stage for the story’s progression.
Step 2: Set the Tone and Mood
Use descriptive language and dialogue to establish the tone and mood of your story. Make sure the beginning aligns with the overall tone you want to create, whether it’s playful, suspenseful, or emotional.
Step 3: Introduce the Character’s Goal or Desire
Hint at what the main character wants or needs. This can be something as simple as wanting to find a friend or as complex as overcoming a fear. Introducing the character’s goal early on helps readers understand their motivations.
Step 4: Write a Strong Opening Line
Craft an opening line that hooks readers and makes them want to know more. Use this first sentence to set the scene, introduce a character, or hint at the conflict to come.
Final Notes:
Planning where your story begins is an important part of creating a strong narrative. By showing the main character’s normal life, setting the tone, introducing their goal, and crafting a strong opening line, you’ll create a beginning that hooks readers and keeps them engaged. Use this planning phase to establish a solid foundation for the rest of your story, ensuring that your exposition draws readers in and makes them want to turn the page.