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The Protagonist is the main character of the novel. What the protagonist WANTS should be clear from the beginning.
The Antagonist is the character that (usually) represents the PROBLEM of the novel, that which the protagonist must ultimately conquer in order to get what she wants.
Now let's move on to the less obvious.
(For argument sake, let's imagine a hypothetical story where whole chapters are told from the third person POV of either the protagonist or the antagonist.)
The author's job the first time he introduces the protagonist is to make her likable and/or create reader empathy for her, while expressing what she WANTS. This hooks the reader and makes him want to turn the page. But, does this mean the first chapter must open with the protagonist?
What if the PROBLEM in the story is the antagonist's mental breakdown, the backlash of which sends him on a collision course with an unsuspecting stranger (the protagonist)? Can the novel open with the first chapter about the antagonist?
I guess the question I put up for discussion is this: Do you think it's always better to open the novel by introducing the protagonist; or, does every story need its own formula for success, even if that means opening with the antagonist?
Bonus question: Can you think of a book you enjoyed that opened with the antagonist?
Can't wait to read your opinions on this topic!
35 comments:
The later Harry Potter books all open with a chapter in which Harry isn't present (granted, we already know him from book 1). For instance, in the Goblet of Fire, the first chapter shows Voldemort killing someone.
I think many thrillers also open with the antagonist doing something horrible, because THAT's where the action starts (sorry, can't think of an example off-hand).
I have a formula that works for the genre I write. Murder first, protag second. It's how I do all my murder mysteries. It's how many mysteries I read are done as well.
CD
I think you can open with the antagonist - lots of mystery books do.
I think a book can open with the antagonist. Sorry I can't think of one I've read at the moment!
I think it depends on the novel. In mysteries, it works well to have the murder happen and then introduce the protagonist. In other fiction, I'm not certain. I can't think of many examples where it happened in non-mystery novels. But, I think if the antagonist's problem is what catapults the protagonist into the novel, then I think you should write it that way. Antagonist first, protagonist next. Every novel is different, and sometimes you have to go with your gut on it. *smiles*
Open with the character that would hook the reader. I think.
As long as you're otherwise making it clear which character is which (because otherwise the tendency might be to "bond" with the first character the reader "sees"), I don't see why you can't open with an antagonist.
Depending on the story, either hero or villain can be introduced in the first chapter.
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Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
I think the scenario you described sounds fun! And I think so long as you do it well, you could probably open however you please... yes? :o) <3
I think rules are meant to be broken, and more importantly, that you must write your story from an organic place...and the way YOUR story needs to be told.
Love,
Lola
Every novel is different, which in turn means each novel must open differently. You can't expect to start with the protag every time. If every book did we might not pick up as many.
That being said, my mind is coming up blank with every novel I've read... and I mean every. Thoughts of a new WiP, revisions and this question loom in my brain instead.
Please forgive :)
Great insights, blog friends! You are mirroring my gut feeling on the subject, and it's always good to know other like-minded people share your instincts.
Looking forward to more discussion!
:)) Nicole
I'd agree that the story should dictate the form. Formula's work for pulp success, but do you really want to churn out the same-old-same-old?
I hadn't really thought on it too much. I guess its normal to see opening with the pro but there is a possibility I have read a few that didn't exactly open with the pro. However I do think it would be interesting to see it open differently more often...I guess it would be a way of pushing normal boundaries, and you know- I think pushing boundaries is a good idea.
The question is: how would you query it? If the query is from the protagonist's pov, the agent will expect the first chapter to be from that view point.
I have no problem when a book begins with the antagonist's pov, like in Harry Potter, but I prefer to know who the mc is first. The first book of the series began in Harry's pov. By the time JK Rowling wrote the ones where she started from another view point character, you already knew Harry so it didn't matter.
I'm going out on a limb here and wondering if what you might actually have is an anti-hero, and this antagonist might be the stuff of main character-dom, even if he's a bad guy. What might be a way to handle that is using alternating viewpoints--the facsinating baddie AND the likeable root-for-her character.
@Stina~ GREAT point! So, a follow up question to you or anyone reading this:
If the first chapter were in the antag's POV but the query ends up being from the protag's POV, would including a prologue for the protagonist be in order?
I'm smiling. You know why. :o) You know, you could just open with the first paragraph of protag, then switch to antag. Then end with protag again remembering antag from the store. Then start the next chapter with Julie and continue what was chap 1 from there?
@Jessica ~ Yeah, you know why! I can't wait to talk all this out with you tomorrow. It's funny, but the chapter in question was originally the first chapter, but someone told me I should open with the protag. *sigh* Writing a novel is complicated, n'est-ce pas? x0
Hi Nicole - If you're going to be jumping back and forth between both voices throughout the entire story then I say it's a great idea! If this is the only time the protag will be speaking, I'd find another way to show what happens to him through your MC.
ps: I'm passing on the writing game to you. =D
I think it depends on the story. The story and the characters should dictate how it begins, and sometimes it may be best to start by introducing the antag first. As a reader, I don't have a problem with it either way. As a writer, so far I've always started with the protag, but I'm definitely open to the possibility of introducing the antag first sometime!
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" opens with Lord Voldemort plotting to kill Harry. I don't know if that counts since that's the fourth book in the series and the readers are already familiar with the antagonist from the previous books.
I've read thrillers in which the antagonist is briefly introduced first. Maybe it's a common technique for the genre?
My book has a prologue, and it opens with a short story, that takes place centuries before my book.
The Warriors books by Erin Hunter often open with characters other than the protag, sometimes one of the antagonists.
Many of the books following Pendergast, my favorite character from authors Lincoln and Child, open with the antagonist.
I read a wip with the antagonist in the first chapter the pro in the second. It was great! But I think most people like the Pro before the Ant.
Start where the action is. If that's with the Ant, cool. If it's the Pro, that's cool too. There are a lot of books opening with the Ant wreaking havoc before we know who he/she is.
I agree that if the action starts with the antag, run with it. When it comes to the "rules," we know we can break them if the execution is well done, and I think an agent would agree. Look how many times you see winning queries that don't fit the typical query formula. For the kind of story it sounds like you're writing, it would be appropriate.
BTW, I'm sending you a blogger award :) Check it out here.
It seems to me I've seen it done. Probably in thrillers and mysteries.
I think it would work fine. I say, go with your gut and see what happens. Your idea sounds more interesting, actually.
If we listen to every snippet of advice we're told as writers, we'd go mad.
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No...I don't believe its necessary to begin a novel with a protag. Whose POV doesn't really matter if the writing is compelling. We've had these discussions before about the differences between writing for the reader and writing for the prospective agent, and you already know where I stand on this issue. It is another issue t consider though.
I don't think you have to start a story with the protagonist. I'm writing a novel at the moment in which the protagonist doesn't show up until some way in - until then I've got the other characters talking about him, building a picture up.
I think opening with the antagonist can work too, as long as you make the reader feel sympathy for the protagonist (i.e. have the antagonist plotting evil things to do to him), and not let them side with or like the antagonist.
Can't think of any books that are examples of this, but I'm sure there are some. I'll let you know if any come to mind!
I'm coming in on this a little late, but wanted to let you know how I feel.
If it would make the story as a whole stronger to open with the antagonist then open it that way.
As for the commenter who mentioned querying it from the protagonists pov, well, that's really just a minor squabbish really.
You need to put it together however you feel it meant to be put together. For what agents like, that would be hook first. Which from what you've indicated, would give them that.
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