What Is Your Story’s Entry Point?

When you have an idea for a story, where do you start writing? Do you start with a character, an interesting setting, or a peculiar situation you just have to write about? This is your entry point. It is the thing that opens the door for your story.

Recently I discovered that my entry point is a voice. Usually it is a line of narration that has personality, style and an attitude. It can be a character or a third person narrator speaking, and it usually gives me a sense of tone. When I hear this voice, I can jump on the page and follow it.

I didn’t know this until very recently, though. For a while now, I could not figure out what got me to write the stories I’ve written before. I thought it was a strong sense of character and surely it is, but mainly, it is the character’s voice, personality and attitude that puts me right in there. Do I want to write a pessimistic character? A overly cheery one?

I can even do this with setting. What kind of feeling do I want to give with a setting? How would I use tone, attitude and style to give that feeling?

Of course, I can and do force myself to write when I don’t have this voice. It usually sucks because it feels like I’m trudging in dark water. However, I have found that free writing helps me find out more about the characters I want to write about.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you find or recognize your story’s entry point

1. What do you find most interesting about an idea?

I had a writing teacher tell me that, when writing a story, one should start with dessert. In other words, start with what interests you the most about an idea. If you have an interesting setting, start off with that. Describe it, or set a scene in it. If it’s an interesting character, then start with them. Begin with that character in action or saying something that shows us what they’re like.

2. What information do you want to give your reader with this scene?

If it’s the beginning paragraph of the first chapter or short story, what do you want to show the reader? What do you want them to know? A setting and its social climate? A character and what’s wrong in their life? A situation that results in a problem? When you decide what you want to show to readers about your world, that may be a good entry point for you to start exploring your story.

3. What tone are you going for and what style do you want to write in?

What kind of feel do you want your story to have? Dark and mysterious? Optimistic? Funny and comical? Perhaps, the way you tell your story may be an entry point for you to explore and grow your story idea.

Having an entry point can be helpful, especially if you’re struggling to start writing from a simple idea. Remember, that you can always free-write until you get a better sense of the elements of your story. The point is to learn about your writing process and what works for you.

What lets you into the world of your story? Tell me about it in the comments below.

Hi! Shantal here. I’m a writer and a storyteller. I created Shantal Writes to share my experiences with writing fiction. I also provide new writers with tips, tools, and writing advice. I hope you find something helpful while you’re here!