Hi, there!
So, my novel, The Fighter of Aldea, starts out a bit slow. The beta readers who have given me feedback have said that they like the beginning, and understand why it's important to be in there, but that it drags a bit.
Now, it's not all backstory and exposition and info dumps by any means. But it is crucial to understanding the world and the characters.
Currently, I have it so that the novel starts out slower and builds to the action, so that when the ball gets rolling, you feel for the characters and understand the world.
But I was considering maybe starting the book with the chapter where "everything changes," then going back and forth between that timeline and the timeline that takes place a few days before, so that we can learn about the world and the characters off and on, at the same time the plot is progressing, to break it up and make it more interesting. I hope that makes sense?
So here's my question: Do you think that's a good idea? When you read books, which kind of pacing do you prefer? A slower build up, or switching between timelines?
Again, the beginning isn't boring or unnecessary, it's just that with it, the actual "plot" doesn't get started as soon as it probably should.
Thanks for your input!
-Lefty
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