I'm trying to decide where to begin my next rewrite of my novel. The novel is "about" the problem of authentic religious experience for a person with mental illness. My first version started with me going to a therapist about leaving the church when I was 18. My second version was near the same time period, but precipitated by one of my professors killing himself. Another starting point that has been suggested is an in medias res depiction of my psychotic break at 22. Most recently I was thinking of it starting with me as a 4 year-old, praying about something that was bothering me.
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
Actually, I eliminated two beginnings just in the process of putting together fragments for F&F.
Posted by wbriggs (Member # 2267) on :
So, to rephrase what the story's about:
Are you exploring a milieu? Not. Are you exploring a question (idea story)? Not, I think. Is it a character story? Is MC looking for a new role in life? Or is it an event story -- something happens to disturb the universe (psychotic break, e.g.)?
According to OSC's Characters & Viewpoint, character stories start with the intent to change role, and end either with the change or the decision to not change.
Event stories start with the disturbance, and end with a new equilibrium.
This might help you decide where the story should start.