Wednesday 22 June 2011

Starting a novel with a mission statement

I've realised something rather odd - I have a tendency to start my novels with a mission statement (for want of a better description). Now, I'm only on my second novel as we speak but it's happened both times so a pattern seems to be forming.

In both instances I've written a page or two that sort of sets out the themes and content in a slightly overwritten way that sounds reminiscent of a voice-over from the opening of a film. The mission statement disappeared from the first novel in the third draft, when I became comfortable with the opening. I'm starting to work towards ditching the one from the new book too.

It's an odd little habit that possibly says something about how little I know of what's going to happen in the book before I start writing.

Anyone else ever done this?
Cheers,

Matt