Corngoblin and I share an interest in writing about the craft of writing, what I call metawriting. I’ve also found that my metawriting posts tend to elicit more likes and comments than almost any other type of writing I upload. This has surprised me, as I’d assume most readers would find such posts self-indulgent and distracting; they are, however, also very honest and revealing, so that might be why they’ve generated such interest. So, since Corngoblin has just posted an interesting work of metawriting, I’m interested to see what happens if I use that essay to reflect on the novel I’ve been drafting.
Corngoblin’s essay discusses the strategic importance of beginnings; while it doesn’t say much that’s terribly original, it is entertaining for his distinctively absurdist, self-deprecating humor:
When you’re planning the beginning of the story, your job is the same job you have when you break out a board game for your friends to play: you need to make sure all of the pieces are on the board. Some games are really complicated, though. They’ve got a lot of pieces, but you really want to play, so you need to make sure you get all the pieces down as quickly as possible, or your friends are going to get bored and go do drugs or something instead.
I get the feeling they don’t play much Parcheesi at the Corn-Man’s parties.
This metaphor has me thinking about Chapter One — how well do I lay my pieces on the gameboard before my reader? The decision to begin with a demonstration fencing bout was certainly strategic; when Coach Dan explains the rules and terminology of the sport to the Bark Bay High School student body, I’m effectively saying to my reader, Here’s everything you need to know about fencing. I also introduce all seven of the principal characters — distinguishing physical characteristics (Annie’s pony-tail, Rex’s height), vocal patterns and tag phrases (Coach Dan’s my friend, Rune’s I dunno), personality (Double-J’s acerbic sarcasm, The Bird’s reticence, Butch’s awkward gentility). In my latest series of revisions, I focused on dialogue and character interactions; I believe those were correct decisions, but I’m now realizing that I have much work still to do with describing the town of Bark Bay, and establishing the tensions that will be developed in subsequent chapters.
To use the language of Corngoblin’s metaphor — I’ve chosen to place a fairly complex game in front of my readers, and while I’ve got the major pieces in place, there’s a few missing, lying within the box of my imagination. There’s more work for me to do before I consider this game reader to come out of beta testing. I just hope I get that work done before my readers start looking for the bong pipe.
The Diligent Dilettante 
Thanks for the shout out. I’ve always found fencing to be interesting, and I’m already interested in the town of Bark Bay just from the name. Is the bay full of driftwood or dogs? So many questions…
If you need someone to read it when you’re done, let me know.
Bark Bay refers to the town’s history (now distant) as a bustling lumber port. The name’s now kind of an embarrassment, especially to the teens who are the focus of the novel.
A comment on beginnings – particularly if the work is going to be a long one. I have attended so many writing courses and read so many clever and insightful how to’s on the craft of writing. One of the most profound statements made to me by an (to me then OLD) writer. was this……. Hook em in by the very first sentence.
K I S S…keep it simple stupid! should be in your mind.)
It surely is something to think about. A man said to me of my story ‘Beyond the Ashes.’ ‘I thought this would probably be a woman’s story but your first sentence grabbed me and I could not put it down.
The afternoon’s silence was shattered by the sound of arguing.
(nothing very profound about that but he said it hooked him.)
A golden-haired child danced on the hilltop.
ok so what……….so what indeed….but I have been told the first sentence has made some folk want to know more.)
All the other important information can well be incorporated in the first paragraph.
I am very interested in your story and will continue to follow. Cheers!
(another example of a story). The sound of gunshot splintered the afternoon silence. A flock of galahs screeched skywards. (Just for interest where do you think this might be? does the town matter at this stage?).
A couple of points to ponder.
You probably are a better writer than I could ever hope to be.
Keep writing. Find your own voice!
I learned something new… what “metawriting” is! Thanks for that!