The title question is kind of like which came first, the chicken or the egg. Is it even answerable? If you don't have a good beginning, chances are the reader, whether an actual reader, editor, or agent, won't make it to your ending. So, before worrying about whether the beginning or ending of your children’s story is more important, make sure the reader gets through the beginning and keeps reading to the finish line. Here are the elements of a good beginning. THE BEGINNING It only makes sense that the beginning of a story is absolutely crucial, as it sets the stage for the entire narrative and plays a vital role in engaging the reader or audience. A well-crafted beginning should achieve several important objectives: Hook the audience: A strong opening should grab the readers' attention and make them want to continue on with the story. When writing for children, it’s a good idea to start with action. This can be accomplished through an exciting event, a compelling character, or a vivid description of what’s going on. Establish the setting: The beginning should introduce the world where the story takes place, providing essential context for the events and characters. This helps the audience understand the environment and its impact on the narrative. In the first two short paragraphs of Walking Through Walls, the setting brings the reader to 16th-century China. This was accomplished through the description and narrative. Introduce characters: It's important to introduce key characters early on and give the audience a sense of who they are, their motivations, and their conflicts. This helps the audience connect with and care about the characters. Present the central conflict: The beginning often introduces the primary problem or conflict that will drive the story. This conflict sets the stage for the plot and engages the audience by creating anticipation and curiosity about how it will be resolved. Going back to Walking Through Walls, within those first two opening chapters, the reader knows what 12-year-old Wang, the protagonist, is about and what his conflict is. Establish tone and style: The opening of a story can convey the tone and writing style that will be used throughout. Whether it's a lighthearted comedy, a dark mystery, or a dramatic epic, the beginning should give the audience a sense of what to expect. In Walking Through Walls, the word choices and language establish the tone of the story. Set in 16th-century China, I chose to eliminate all contractions in the dialogue. And based on the period, I decided that respect would be paramount. Create a promise: A well-structured beginning can make implicit or explicit promises to the audience about what they can expect from the rest of the story. These promises can relate to the genre, themes, or emotional impact of the narrative. Still using Walking Through Walls, the first page shows the theme loud and clear. It’s about selfish desires. The story beginning serves as the entry point and the foundation upon which the rest of the story is built. The author needs to make a strong first impression and draw the audience into the world they've created. If the reader isn’t hooked, she’ll never get to the end. This all makes a great case for the beginning being the most essential element. But is it more important than the ending? THE ENDING Okay, so getting into the ending, the first thing you need to know is what your audience wants and expects in the genre they're reading. With children’s books, especially for young children, the ending must be satisfying… and happy. Below is why the ending of a story is critical. Resolution: The most obvious job of the ending is to provide closure to the story. It must resolve the conflicts and questions raised throughout the narrative. It's the point where readers get to see how everything comes together. Again, with young children, there’s no room for a story that doesn’t have a satisfying ending. Emotional Impact and Memory: The ending is where the story's emotional impact is often most strongly felt. It can bring happiness, contentment, and even an understanding of the world around the reader. The ending is often what people remember most vividly about a story. It's the part of the story that sticks with them and influences their overall impression of the work. A memorable ending can turn a good story into a great one. It’s what lingers in the minds of the readers long after they've finished the story. Thematic Significance: The ending often reinforces or highlights the story's central themes and messages. It's an opportunity for the author to make a statement or convey a lesson without hitting the young reader over the head. A well-crafted ending can tie together the story's various elements and leave the audience with a deeper understanding of its meaning. This is the takeaway value of your story. After reading the book, the reader may feel he can be a better person. Maybe she’s inspired to work harder for what she wants. Maybe he realizes diversity is important. Maybe she realizes other kids face anxiety. Maybe he realizes that not everyone is good at sports. It’s about leaving the reader with something to build upon. Character Development: The ending should showcase the growth and development of the characters. It's where readers can see how the main character has changed or what they've learned throughout the story. Character arcs often reach their culmination in the ending. Pacing and Tension: This is where the narrative tension typically reaches its peak, and the resolution provides a release from that tension. A well-structured ending can rev up the reader’s engagement and keep them turning pages to the very end. Reader Satisfaction: Ultimately, the ending of a story is where the author delivers on the promises made throughout the narrative. If the ending is disappointing or fails to live up to the audience's expectations, it can leave a negative impression on the entire story. The ending is the last impression a story leaves on its audience, making it a crucial element of storytelling. Why is reader satisfaction so important? Aside from wanting to give the reader an amazing story, it’s a factor in the author’s sales of future books. SUMMING IT UP The beginning. The end. You can’t have an ending without a beginning. But it’s the ending that will stay with the reader. Think Thelma and Louise. Do you remember the beginning or the ending? As a culmination of the entire story, the ending is what will wrap the story up with a nice little bow and leave a lasting memory. And it will hopefully give the young reader joy, inspiration, appreciation, realization, connection, or understanding. But in this article, the end isn’t necessarily the end. There’s also the middle of your story. You can’t get from the beginning to the ending without the middle. But that’s for another article. So, which is it? What are your thoughts?
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, editor, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
FICTION WRITING FOR CHILDREN COURSE
A guided self-study course and mentoring program.
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK
A DIY book to help you write your own children’s book.
WRITERS ON THE MOVE PRESS.
Self-publishing help for children’s authors.
You can contact me at: kcioffiventrice@gmail.com. Or give me a call at 347—834—6700. (Please leave a message- I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.)
