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Writing Advice & Discussion
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Needing help with my WIP
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Maybe you should start with Helen as a psychologist interviewing Sean as a patient. During several sessions he reveals to her how he is brokenhearted, but at the same time she feels drawn to him because she feels the same. After this introductory phase, then maybe as a element of tension, he reveals a secret to her about Annabelle. I don't know---just a suggestion.
I get the concept. I should probably start from the real beginning of the story. Thank you, Jumpj1952.
The reader should not need a synopsis to be able to read and follow the book easily.
Point noted, Wmba Dams. I've been keeping myself busy with restructuring the story before polishing a third draft. There really shouldn't be the need to know the synopsis before understanding the story. Thank you.
My advice would be to write the story in chronological order first. Then figure out which of the opening scenes can work as a flashback and who is going to have them. The thing to remember is that a flashback is a memory that accompanies strong or meaningful emotions. The flashback has to be tied to someone who has been effected (either positively or negatively) by the memory of the event.
Hey Lee.The flashback serves as the character development and all. It also holds nothing-little that moves or explains the first scene I chose ("which is the horror"). So, I'm thinking on writing it "chronologically" as you said, but starting with the romance -character development- before getting into the horror. Then, maybe add a prologue -which I wonder if people actually read them because I prefer skipping- that gives an insight of the horror.
Thank you, btw. I appreciate your comment.
I've been restless about this issue of my WIP. The story's beginning has been told to be confusing to some of the readers. Even though that might be a result of them not knowing the synopsis, but I still need your advice on how to start it. Each time I think of the beginning and how to mould it to be clearer; new approaches overwhelm me to an extent I have about five ways now of starting it.
It is a horror novel with a subgenre of romance.
The first and present beginning is that of an inciting incident; not the most intriguing but it is the main start of the plot. But after it follows a sequence of flashback that is the romantic and grieving part of the story. Then after the flashback, we continue with the horror and more anguish. Here is it:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D...
The second is from a different character's view and it starts with the death of the person that builds up the 'plot' of the book. We follow him up the ladder of grieving, meeting another woman and getting married. Then it goes to the starting of the horror(which is the start of the first sample). No flashback here. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i...
The third is that instead of starting with just the death of the character, we get to know about their life then she dies and then, you guess, it continues off with the second sample. Quite lengthy and draggy as her death is just what is important in the story.
The fourth is by inserting a 'poetic' or 'foreword-like' unnumbered page with just lines of catchy yet mysterious words that will slowly clear out the story for the reader as they read ahead. Then it will continue off as the first or second sample. I need help. Maybe something of this kind: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t...
And the last option I have is inserting the 'foreword-like' page and following it up with a prologue that introduces the horror and then start off the story like the second or third sample. No flashback.
These have been driving me crazy, especially now that the story is so in my head that any of these approaches are clear and understandable to me.
The pro and cons of the approach:
The first:
It introduces the mystery and the characters, but the flashback that follows(almost 50k words) I think will pull away the readers from the book, especially with it being romance and not improving the plot but showing who and how the characters lived.
The second:
It will be clear and more understandable, but it will take a while before the horror begins.
The third:
Too lengthy. And will cost me a lot of writing and rewriting. The character who died is also just important at the time she will die and after she died.
The fourth:
I like this, but I think it will confuse the readers especially if they don't pay attention to the page.
The fifth:
Great, but with which approach; the second or the third.
Here is the synopsis I moulded off the story(from one characters perspective; with whom the 1st approach starts);
Helen Ryan is a psychologist who despite knowing the harm kept her trauma to heart; not letting anyone change her perception of love. Love she accepted is what her parents have and she, not standing a chance.
Her view of love changed when she met a widower that was too broken to be considered. Yet, he ignited her curiosity that soon turned into admiration. Then, attraction. Helen worked her therapeutic abilities on him until he was the partner she wished to spend the rest of her life with. All whilst keeping away the fact he has never admitted to having any feelings for her aside appreciation. But it fell in her favour. After years, he proposed.
The night of their wedding; before she moved in with her husband; Sean, Helen fell asleep to find herself in a ghostly hospital and a room where Sean's deceased wife; Jane, was heavy in labor. It was agonizing to watch the woman but Helen went stiff when Jane, half screaming and hissing told her of a task she needed to get done. She was to kill Annabelle; the unborn child. The child who was conceived at the edge of desperation became Jane's worst nightmare; who died as the demon-child left her body.
When Helen woke up the next morning, starting to believe it was a dream, Jane appeared with more bizarre theories and consequences.
That fantasy of getting rid of Annabelle died. 'It' fed on Helen's sanity by possessing her only weakness; Sean.
After months of struck-out-of-nowhere disasters, Helen got the upper hand, killing it. And only then did she recall the revelation that was erased from her memory; hurting Annabelle meant hurting Sean.
***
I really really am helpless about this. I want it to be clear to the readers but also hold certain amount of mystery. Any feedback is so much appreciated and welcomed.
Thank you.