All posts by Michael Axe

Parts of a Novel: 1 of 6: The Setup

1 of 6All well told stories can be broken down into six sections. While there are many ways to breakdown a novel’s structure I like sticking with the six part approach. For the next six weeks I will be discussing one of the six parts to a novel. This week, part 1 of 6, is on The Setup.

The first few pages of your novel are vitally important. These pages determine if the book continues to be read or will be put back on the shelf. While every piece of your book is important your opening is probably the most important part. Without a good opening you have no story.

The Setup, while immensely important, is interestingly enough one of the smallest parts of the novel. The Setup is only about 5% of your novel. Meaning, if your manuscript is 300 pages, only about 15 pages should be dedicated to The Setup.

In these fifteen pages you have several pieces of information that needs to be shown. We need to introduce the main characters to our readers, we need to show the world where the story takes place, and most importantly our readers need to understand what the status quo of the world is.

Our readers need to form bonds and connections to our characters, to be captivated by the worlds we create, and to understand what the day to day life is like. Without laying this groundwork the reader will lose interest in the story. If you can’t draw in the reader your book will be put down, never to be picked up again.

Take a look at the novel you are currently reading. How did that author write the first 5% of their novel? Now look at the manuscript you are writing. How did you write your first 5%?

On a side note I would like to say that the percentage for each section is more of a guideline. These percents are rough cookie cutter examples to help the pacing of the story. As the novelist it is you job to determine if the pacing needs to move quicker or slower throughout the story.

Check back next week for part 2 of 6. To always stay up to date on the latest article enter subscribe to the blog. When new articles go live you will receive an email in your inbox. Any questions, comments, or feedback email me at Axeman@thisweekinwriting.com.