Use your character, not your plot, to power your book's opening

Book coach and writer Susan DeFreitas has raised the question before of whether it's really the plot that's at issue ... or whether it's a character problem.

She stands behind that question in her latest post for Jane Friedman.

A compelling, engaging opening to a novel does require certain elements, including specific details and tension of some type.

But exploring those through a character will most likely draw readers in more powerfully than if you plunk them in the plot.

DeFreitas shares three strategies to strengthen the opening of your novel in that post.

Related posts 

• Book coach: Is your plot really the problem? 

• How to keep your novel on track if you start with a character idea