This is the part that’s supposed to make you want to keep reading; the witty one liner, or the overly descriptive shocking image and relatively rough transition to the next, not quite as eventful line. Then, brief exposition exposes the story of a young man/woman searching for something and ending up somewhere unexpected. This is where our story begins. Characters are introduced, accents are written into the dialogue, and appearances rarely expand past the cliched outfits which help associate them to someone in the reader’s life. There’s bound to be a love connection between at least one of the main characters, which lends itself to the pulling of heartstrings, and allowance for cheesy metaphors. And there will be a moment towards the end when the supporting role, the more likable character, is in grave danger of some sort (physically or emotionally). But the best stories are the ones that don’t end with everything coming together perfectly, and everyone getting what they wanted, or have learned to want. The best stories still continue once the book is put away on a dust-ridden shelf, or sold at a yard sale for twenty-five cents; a story that has no definite end, because in reality an end is purely fictional and is the most difficult part to relate to. You can be hooked at the first line, and fall in love with the characters, and sit on the edge of your seat while they struggle with something significant; but once you have closure, you’re pulled away from everything that made it reality. An ending kills your protagonist’s hopes and dreams, and simplifies everything the author struggled to make meaningful.
So understand, as you follow along, this will not have an ending, because closure is purely death to fiction. This living, breathing world cannot be shut, or bound by covers; it continues without ink-stains on parchment into your daily experiences and choices. Do with it whatever you’d like once you’re finished, but remember that your life shapes the words in this book as much as it will shape you. Every character is someone you personally know, every choice that’s made is what you would have done, and the climax will excite and devastate you more then anyone else who sees it; because this can be selfishly yours. It grows up with you, and for you; but will live past your death, and the end of everything you know, simply because life continues when you do not, and the things you’ve done will reverberate off of everything you’ve ever encountered. Keep that in mind as you explore the possibilities and opportunities you’re given. Don’t skip any pages, or skim through any long, seemingly uninteresting paragraphs; every word holds importance. Don’t try to figure out what the last page will say before you get there, because it’s just a waste of time; you’ll get there eventually. Lastly, if you don’t understand why something happened the way it did, or when it did, or to whom, feel free to flip through the previous couple chapters and re-read. Trust me nothing happens that isn’t bound to happen. Chapter 1: Once upon a time
