Hi, I'm having a bit of trouble with when I should start off my story. I was wondering if it might be alienating towards the audience if the 5 main characters have a some history together with a devastating back story. Thanks!
Alienating? I don’t believe so. Overwhelming? Possibly, but it all depends on how you approach it. Starting off with 5 main characters that already have a rich history together is sometimes a lot of fun, because we see friendship dynamics that have had years to grow and evolve. And if they have a sad back story together, there is also a lot of depth in their relationships if they’ve shared some kind of trauma together.
But what you’re referring to in your question sounds like a great story in itself. Without even knowing the details, I’m curious about this devastating back story, and how these characters came together, and how they bonded over a common painful past. It can be interesting to read how characters get to know each other and to actually see those dynamics grow (the process instead of just the result).
If you’re sold on the idea of moving beyond their history, then maybe consider telling their history in flashbacks and memories? It could really add a lot of intrigue and give us even more reason to fall in love with the characters and empathize with their struggles (both past and present).
As to how you start it, that’s entirely up to you. If you want us to see your 5 main characters together from the start, it can be a great way to show that there is no main protagonist, or that while there is a protagonist, the supporting characters are going to be extremely important. James Patterson did this in Maximum Ride when he introduced all the main characters within the first few pages. However, I also think it works well to integrate them slowly. Start with your main protagonist, or, if there isn’t one, start with two or three characters and bring the others into the first scene/chapter a little bit later. Whichever way sounds more interesting to you is the way to go.
-R
