Crafting the Killer Novel Opening

A compelling, carefully crafted beginning is absolutely critical for any successful novel. In this craft-oriented seminar/workshop, we’ll discuss the opening passages of a selection of contemporary and classic novels in order to understand what an opening can and must achieve. In the process, we’ll derive a useful taxonomy of approaches to such craft elements as character introduction, setup, voice, point of view or narrative perspective, world-building, and the initial infusions of suspense and narrative momentum. We’ll discuss the critical concepts of contract, hook, the inciting incident, the story-worthy problem, and external vs internal arcs. Then we’ll turn to participants’ own works-in-progress for an in-class writing exercise and a constructive, non-judgmental, and creatively supportive mini-workshop. Students are encouraged, but not required, to bring along the first few pages of their novel-in-progress.

Part of GrubStreet's Special Topics in the Novel, a group of classes dedicated to exploring different craft elements of novel-writing. For more class offerings,click here.