Time for Introductions

     Time for Introductions. I gotta say, when music artists name their song after the first line in that song, seriously, it drives me crazy. I'm like, "You guys had literally no more imagination than that? It was a good song; it just had a sucky title. You are doing yourself a disservice!"
     Anyway, with that random thought, let's kick this off with an overly cliched statement about starting a project or event.
     Ok, so there are three major Introductions, all of which can be sub-divided. We are going to hit only the major styles of authoring introductions, though:

1. Action
2. Setting
3. Author's Introduction

     So we'll cover each of these types, and let me know if you find some beyond what I write down. 

• Action. This is where you, as the author, treat your reader to an introduction similar to a modern-day movie, where we are bombarded with action from the moment it starts. You give the reader a car that explodes, or a drug deal gone wrong, or whatever you want to. These kinds of introductions tend to instantly grab the readers attention. However, if too cliche or cheesy, your reader will become what I call "self-aware." (I shouldn't follow this rabbit-trail, but I must) 

     The best-case reader is a reader that is thoroughly engrossed in your story. In fact, he/she is SO engrossed, he/she is not even aware of a world beyond this book. You have convinced them, from the time they picked up the book and turned the first page, to the time that they closed the book with a sigh, that these characters are real. You have taken them deeper into themselves and the world, and they come away with a sense of empowerment, a deeper knowledge about themselves, and a slightly different way of looking at Earth and their relationships.

     Now, "self-aware," is a scary thing for your reader. This means mostly that your reader is thinking. NOT a good thing! Remember the last time you looked at a textbook, and the LAST THING you were thinking about is the stuff you were reading? You were like, "Man, I need to call X about YZ," or, "I wonder who just texted me?" or, "What's for dinner?" NOT GOOD, obviously. The LAST thing you want them to do is think. You want them so enamored ( I was going to say "distracted," but that insinuates things that we don't promote) with your book that if their cell phone is ringing they will never hear it. They are hypnotized by your skill; they can't help but turn the page. Of course, your book will be so higher-class above that textbook, there isn't even a comparison. But, making sure your reader is not self-aware is one of your goals while writing of your book.

     Back to the Intros:

• Setting. This is a common introduction for books, while the previous introduction is used a TON in movies. Easing gently into the scene, you show the reader the beautiful rolling hills, the giggling creek, the dark forest, and finally, your MC. This introduction is the exact opposite of your Action introduction, because in the Action category, the reader is thrown into confusion and chaos and is filled in on the background story later. In the Setting Introduction, your reader is softly put down on the grass while being filled in on all the background he or she needs to know in the story to move forward; in other words, there's no need to be "filled in" on the story later because they already know enough! 
• Author's Introduction. Think The Tale of Desperaux, the book. If you didn't read the book, then close this webpage,and every other webpage and go read the book, because the movie didn't go as deep, and you will understand this section better.  An Author's Introduction is you, the author, starting off the book, introducing yourself and oftentimes introducing your characters. I don't prefer this method; however, I have seen it well done, and it brings out the story if it is done well. Also, it doesn't have to be you, the author; it can be a person in your book that is telling a story. Doesn't that just bring to your mind an image of an old man, sitting on a barrel, smoking a pipe, and at his feet sits a young boy, waiting to hear tales of battles, of dragons, and of princesses? Then when he's almost done, the old man will lean back, his pipe all but forgotten, and conclude his story with a gleam in his eye, as if he inspired himself as well as his little listener. Can't you just see it? That would be an example of that style well done. (P.S., please don't interrupt your story to show what the old man or whoever is telling your story is saying, unless you feel that it runs well with the story. It's up to you. I would reccomend, if you do pursue that route, that you keep it light. You can always add more if you need it!  :) )

There, I've shown you a couple of ways to start off your book. Let me know about whatever inspired you; I'd love to hear it, and will try to write more toward that end.

As always, Happy Epic Writing!