Need help! I am quickly becoming confused.com.
I've been reading a number of articles about when to introduce the main character of a story. All seem to agree it is within the first few pages (or even the first few paragraphs). What are your views?
My completed first draft (third re write) introduces a main character in the first paragraph (the antagonist) but his true identity remains secret for the bulk of the story. Then follows the inciting incident and only after that is the protagonist introduced (around page 15, start of chapter 4).
Would welcome any views.
Thanks very much.
Thanks everyone. Although the views are quite different, it has helped give me a more clarity on the issue. I've re worked and re read the first four chapters and although the protagonist still takes 15 pages to appear, it still seems to be the right flow for the story, even though it does break the rules/formula.
I'm going to stick with it for the time being until i've finished re-writing the whole thing.
I will put the first part on shared works and tap you all up for a bit more advice to see if you think the 'rule breaking' has worked or if it's a pile of pants.
You're all gems! - Thanks again.
Jimmy, I disagree with your reply. To introduce the protagonist in chapter four would be fatal. Also, expositions are no longer acceptable. In the past, the reader needed to be fully informed to be grounded in a setting, but today's reader is far more knowledgeable. They don't want to be overwhelmed with pages of detail that could be drip fed to them throughout the storyline.
I'm a big fan of breaking the rules
thinking outside the box
making the reader think
surprises.
Great books aren't created by following a formula. If it feels right to you to introduce your protagonist in chapter 4, I'd say full speed ahead.
Who would you say is the protagonist of the Bible? If your answer is "God", he makes his appearance (in the English version) at the 4th word. If your answer is "Jesus", he doesn't put in an appearance until well over halfway into the book.
The film "East Of Eden" concerns (principally) Cal and Aron [Cain and Abel characters]. The novel begins earlier:
"In the beginning of East of Eden, before introducing his characters, Steinbeck carefully establishes the setting with a description of the Salinas Valley in Central California.
"Then he outlines the story of the warmhearted inventor and farmer Samuel Hamilton and his wife Liza, immigrants from Ireland. He describes how they raise their nine children on a rough, infertile piece of land. As the Hamilton children begin to grow up and leave the nest, a wealthy stranger, Adam Trask, purchases the best ranch in the Valley." -- these 2 paragraphs from wikipedia.
First description, then Hamilton family history, and THEN Adam Trask (the first real protagonist and later father of Cal and Aron) is introduced.
If you don't let your readers know that the main character, introduced in the first paragraph is the antagonist, and believes him to be the protagonist, you could have fun with that... and make your readers question the wisdom of jumping to conclusions.
Go for it, I say!