Depends on the length of the work, really. Rough estimate, maybe the first 5%?

This is why I think most stories should begin like James Bond stories do. Be exciting. Build up intrigue early on, and quickly do something to grab the reader's attention before settling down. Their desire to know why will keep them reading through the parts that they might otherwise find boring.

edited 4th Feb '12 3:58:39 PM by gingerninja666

Something like that. For example, take MLP. I think there's a difference between somebody who drops the series after just the first episode and somebody who watches half a dozen episodes and decides it's not for them.

Eh, I think starting the story with a big action scene doesn't make sense in a lot of cases, especially in stories that are primarily character-driven. Azumanga Daioh is a good example; once you get to know the cast it's really entertaining, but it's impossible to get that character-driven aspect without taking a few chapters to familiarize yourself with the characterizations.

edited 4th Feb '12 4:01:20 PM by JapaneseTeeth

@JT I'm thinking more singular stories than television shows.

And I didn't necessarily mean an action scene (I'm not stupid) I just meant that the first few pages should work to build intrigue and grab the reader's interest in some way rather than going straight for the mundane characterization stuff.

Intrigue is the energy that initially keeps the reader going. It lasts until the characters have become firmly established, at which point they and the plot at large is what keeps the reader engaged.

Sorry if I'm not making any sense. You guys were the ones who took writing classes, not me. I'm just going by what I've learnt in scriptwriting classes

edited 4th Feb '12 4:09:03 PM by gingerninja666

Yeah, writing scripts for individual episodes or isolated short stories is probably a lot different. I personally really like long-term setup and payoffs, so I'm hardly averse if a story takes a bit to establish the setting or whatnot. But yeah, it definitely has to do it in way that keeps the reader interested. It's just that it doesn't have to be in the form of some big action-y thing. You could have an entire chapter dedicated to the setting as long you can make the reader want to learn more about the setting and make the prose interesting. It's tougher that way, but I think it can be done.

BLUH, I got interrupted in the middle of the episode (actually more like 6 or 7 minutes in) and now I won't be able to finish it until to tomorrow, maybe not even then. Well, at least I have something to look forward too.

@Kyler Thatch: Life of Pi is awesome, I've read it twice.

This is exactly what they tell you over and over again when you're trying to get published. I've rewritten the first 5 pages of my novel about 7 times and completely changed the scene from how it began.

edited 4th Feb '12 4:17:51 PM by Bluespade

@JT it doesn't have to be an action-thing though, I never said that. GOD I wish I could articulate myself better!

The first episode of MLP does what I'm talking about. It starts with that narration about the sisters, and the birth of Nightmare Moon. It creates intrigue. Our desire to know more about that is what keeps us going through the early scenes. Until the characters have been firmly established and we've endeared ourselves to them, at which point our focus shifts. Then we're suddenly watching it for the characters. and our connection to them, and their adventures is what carries us throughout therest of the series. To hell with the sisters

I didn't mean to make it sound like a bad thing

edited 4th Feb '12 4:19:42 PM by gingerninja666

x6

Your making complete sense gingy, what you are talking about is strategy my Creative Writing teacher calls "boom and draw", it's similar to something music artists do: where they have a loud and/or huge note that grabs the reader/listener's attention and draws them in. The idea is to make the reader care (rationally or not) for what is happening above all else so that they will keep reading.

Personally, my opinion of a book is largely decided in the first paragraph or so. TV is another matter entirely however, I will watch any show at least five episodes before condemning or approving it. Mostly because it takes much more time to build up intrigue and investment in a Tv Show then it does a book.

edited 4th Feb '12 4:19:31 PM by LMage

Okay, seems I misunderstood you. I can totally agree with that.

I'm not gonna lie, I don't think a paragraph is really enough to get a good feel for a book. I usually like to give them at least a chapter or two.

edited 4th Feb '12 4:21:14 PM by JapaneseTeeth

I dunno, depends on the book. Harry Potter took a while to get into gear. So have other books.

Hope I'm not changing things up too much but I was wondering what you guys think...which of the CMC are going to get their cutie mark first. I'm putting my guest at Sweetie Belle. What about you guys?

The opening of Harry Potter is perfect for many reasons, mostly because it avoids the dreaded exposition that kills stories like Harry Potter.

In the begining we have a Baby, two magical persons, and glying motercycle and two dead parents. We arent told why they died or how, only that they where and that the baby surived for a unknown reason. After that it slowly builds it's characters and setting revealing all of that stuff in time while winning investment from the reader.

edited 4th Feb '12 4:23:23 PM by LMage

No Ginger, I was agreeing with you. You're exactly right, the very beginning of any story is extremely important and you have to start off strong or you won't get any readers/viewers, whatever.

Well the first two books weren't very good.

edited 4th Feb '12 4:24:02 PM by Bluespade

I'd probably guess Apple Bloom, if only because she's gotten way more development than the other two anyway. It could be any of them though.

edited 4th Feb '12 4:23:33 PM by JapaneseTeeth

Isnt Scootaloo supposed to have her own episode soon?

Eventually. I'm still waiting for it.

Not that I know of. That's mostly wishful thinking. A Fluttershy episode was confirmed, though.

I think Scootaloo ought to get her's first. She's the only one of the three who has a clear talent that she KNOWS she's good at and actually enjoys doing. Sweetie Belle is a great singer, but she doesn't think she's anything special, and I'm not even sure myself what Applebloom's talent is.

edited 4th Feb '12 4:26:37 PM by Bluespade

Her page on the wiki says she'll get one via Word of God

edited 4th Feb '12 4:26:04 PM by Flapjackmaka

I hope Scootaloo gets her mark first. That poor bitch gets absolutely NO love!

Really? I hadn't heard about that.

so i heard something regarding derpy. can someone catch me up on that?

I think because we know so well what Sweetie Belles talent is(singing), it's just a matter of time that as soon as she realizes it she gets her mark. but that's just my reasoning.

Abridged version: Hasbro was holding her hostage but has released her for now.

edited 4th Feb '12 4:33:16 PM by Allik

Sweetie Belle's singing of Fluttershy's lullaby was awesome

There was a big kerfluffle over how some people may have found her scene in "The Last Roundup" offensive to the mentally challenged, and claimed that as a result the episode was pulled from itunes and all the "Derpy" merchandise was renamed on the Welovefine shop, but pretty much the entire controversy was based on hearsay and unreliable sources. At this point, it's more likely that Hasbro (temporarily) pulled the episode and the merch while they secured the copyright. I believe everything is back up now.

edited 4th Feb '12 4:34:25 PM by JapaneseTeeth