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Find Answers to Your Self-Publishing Questions: Search Our Knowledge Base and Master the Terminology

Starting

    Introduction To Childrens Book Publishing

    Creating The Ideal Writing Environment For Childrens Book Authors

    The Importance Of Crafting An Effective Book Summary

    Brainstorming And Conceptualizing Ideas For Your Childrens Book


Planning

    Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright

    How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story

    How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book

    How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story

    How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book

    How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story

    How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book

    Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company

    How To Plan Your Story Using Flow

    Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type

    How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book

    How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book

    Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction

    How To Plan Where Your Story Begins

    How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book

    How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book

    How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story

    How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story

    How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books

    How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov

    Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices

    Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing

    Structuring Your Childrens Book Plot Climax And Falling Action

    Your Childrens Book Tone Theme And Point Of View

    How To Define The Place And Setting For Your Story


Writing

    How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live

    How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live

    Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books

    The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft

    Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book

    How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book

    How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book

    Effective Techniques For Childrens Books


Registrations

    How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live

    How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section

    How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author

    How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide


Designing

    Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book

    Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book

    How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book

    How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard

    How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience

    Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books

    Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book

    Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow

    How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book

    How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book

    How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book

    How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace

    How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace

    How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover

    How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book

    How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity

    How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard

    How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live

    Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design

    Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format

    Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book

    How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book


Editing

    How To Selfedit For Filler Words

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary

    Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme

    How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure

    How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue

    How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling

    How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor

    How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy

    Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication

    How To Find And Hire A Professional Editor For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Get Feedback On Your Manuscript


Publishing

    Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book

    Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats

    Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution

    Understanding Isbn Pcn And Pcip For Childrens Book

    Navigating Legal Aspects Of Copyright And Infringement In Childrens Book

    Navigating Contracts And Rights For Childrens Books

    Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books


Marketing

    Building An Author Brand And Online Presence

    Navigating Book Reviews And Publicity For Childrens Books

    Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores

    Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books

    Maximizing Your Reach Utilizing Social Media And Online Platforms For Childrens Books

    Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books


Community

    Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators

    Enhancing Skills With Workshops Webinars And Learning Opportunities In Childrens Book Publishing

    Maximizing Your Publishing Success With Made Live Resources And Support

    Building Connections Networking With Other Childrens Book Authors


Business

    Navigating Literary Agents And Query Letters For Childrens Books

    Advanced Marketing Techniques And Analytics For Childrens Picture Books

    Leveraging Technology In Childrens Book Publishing

    Staying Ahead Keeping Up With Industry Trends And Changes In Childrens Book Publishing

    Embracing Diversity Exploring Diverse Themes And Representation In Childrens Books

    Mastering The Query Process In Childrens Book Publishing


How to Plan Where Your Story Begins


Learn how to plan where your story begins by creating a strong exposition. Offer a glimpse into your main character’s normal life, sparking interest and hooking readers from the first page.

How to Plan Where Your Story Begins

Overview: The beginning of your story, or exposition, is one of the most important parts of your book. It introduces your main character’s world, gives readers a sense of what their normal life is like, and sparks interest to keep them reading. A strong beginning should establish the tone of the story and set up the conflict or problem that the character will face. In this article, we’ll guide you through how to plan where your story begins and how to create an opening that hooks readers from the start.


Why the Beginning Matters

The beginning of your story is your chance to draw readers in and set the stage for what’s to come. A compelling exposition not only introduces your character and setting but also gives readers a reason to care about what happens next. It should leave them wanting more and eager to turn the page. By planning where your story begins, you can ensure that the opening captures the reader’s attention and sets the right tone for the rest of the book.


Key Considerations When Planning the Beginning of Your Story

1. Show the Main Character’s Normal Life

The beginning of your story should offer a glimpse into the main character’s everyday life before the main conflict or adventure begins. This helps readers understand who the character is and what their world is like. By establishing this normalcy, you create a baseline that will be disrupted by the story’s inciting incident.

  • Describe the character’s normal life in a way that gives readers insight into their personality, habits, or environment.
  • Set up the character’s world so readers have context for the changes that will occur later in the story.

Questions to Ask:

  • Does the beginning show what the main character’s normal life is like?
  • Have I given enough detail for readers to understand the character’s world?

2. Establish the Tone and Mood

The tone and mood of your story should be evident from the very first page. Whether your book is humorous, adventurous, or heartwarming, make sure the beginning sets the right tone and gives readers a sense of what to expect.

  • Set the tone and mood through descriptive language, dialogue, or illustrations.
  • Use the opening to hint at the type of story readers are about to experience.

Questions to Ask:

Does the beginning set the right tone and mood for the story?
Have I used language and descriptions that match the overall tone of the book?

3. Introduce the Main Character’s Goal or Desire

While the beginning of your story shows the character’s normal life, it should also hint at their main goal or desire. What does the character want or need? This gives readers a sense of what the character is striving for and sets up the stakes for the story.

  • Introduce the character’s main goal or desire early on, so readers understand what motivates them.
  • Hint at the character’s inner conflict or challenge, which will become more evident as the story progresses.

Questions to Ask:

Have I introduced the character’s goal or desire in the beginning?
Does the beginning give readers a sense of what’s at stake for the character?

4. Hook Readers with a Strong Opening Line

Your opening line is your first opportunity to hook readers and spark their interest. It should be intriguing, set the stage for the story, and make readers want to know what happens next.

  • Create an opening line that captures attention, whether through an interesting description, piece of dialogue, or question.
  • Use the first sentence to set the tone and hint at what’s to come.

Questions to Ask:

  • Does the opening line capture the reader’s attention?
  • Have I created a strong first sentence that makes readers want to keep reading?

How to Plan the Beginning of Your Story

Step 1: Describe the Main Character’s Normal Life

Start by describing your main character’s everyday life. Show what they do, where they live, and what their world is like before the main conflict or event begins. This will set the stage for the story’s progression.

Step 2: Set the Tone and Mood

Use descriptive language and dialogue to establish the tone and mood of your story. Make sure the beginning aligns with the overall tone you want to create, whether it’s playful, suspenseful, or emotional.

Step 3: Introduce the Character’s Goal or Desire

Hint at what the main character wants or needs. This can be something as simple as wanting to find a friend or as complex as overcoming a fear. Introducing the character’s goal early on helps readers understand their motivations.

Step 4: Write a Strong Opening Line

Craft an opening line that hooks readers and makes them want to know more. Use this first sentence to set the scene, introduce a character, or hint at the conflict to come.

Final Notes:

Planning where your story begins is an important part of creating a strong narrative. By showing the main character’s normal life, setting the tone, introducing their goal, and crafting a strong opening line, you’ll create a beginning that hooks readers and keeps them engaged. Use this planning phase to establish a solid foundation for the rest of your story, ensuring that your exposition draws readers in and makes them want to turn the page.


Last Updated: 28 days

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