Is this a good way to start my novel?

Question

I'm writing a novel and I was having a very difficult time trying to figure out how the two main characters should meet.

I ended up having the girls dog get loose and she runs down the street to chase after him. She runs into somebodys backyard to find her dog and the boy. He explains to her that he just moved here to 'live with his grandmother' [very important to the story] and then he invites her over to have lunch later today.

is that a good way for them to meet?

if not. do you have any ideas?

thanks everyone so much:)

Answer 1

I think thats a really good way for them to meet. Very creative.

Answer 2

I think that it is ah-mazingly funny because i have a dog and this new guy moved into my neighborhood and my dog is really good with people and always wants to be around them, so i let her off the leash because i knew she would always run to someone new, so she took off and was by him in like five seconds, so he caught her and i was like 'omg, she got out of the leash' he laughed and gave her back to me and now were really good friends, true story!

Yes i think it is good, and is possible.

Answer 3

I'm going to give you a tip that I read about that has been extremely valuable.

And it's kinda contridictory to your question :P

Try not to tell anyone about your story, because the moment you do, you don't have a story to tell.

If you get excited about the idea, and want to write the story but tell someone about it instead, you kill the plot.

Try and keep it to yourself because you'll benefit in the long run.

I think its a really good character introduction and its smooth, the character didn't just pop out of nowhere (:

Just remember to include obstacles all the way to keep the reader gripped but you sound like you're doing a good job (:

x*x

Answer 4

There are many questions to answer about a story. You have to have a rough idea of how the plot line runs. This is best accomplished with a synopsis. What locals are going to play important parts in your story? It is usually best to begin your story with one of them. Both people need to have a reason to be there and it should be a place where most of the characters have a reason to be.  The dog bit is a bit forced. It needs to be an everyday, common event that unites the boy and girl. Such as meeting at a store, school, movie, park, etc.

Answer 5

How about like he has to go over to her hosue because their mail has been switched and delivered to the wrong house.

or he finds her dog (she didn't even realize the dog was loose) and he has to call her to return the dog or he shows up at her door or something .. maybe she would invite him in or somthing for some lemonade-- i don't know how hospitable the character is though

Answer 6

Introductions can be left til later in the writing process. If you commit yourself know to this meeting, you lose the opportunity as time goes on to develop the characters and the story. As long as you track the details so that the story follows some continuity, you have the freedom to allow the story to develop.

You could also have the meeting towards the end of the novel. Each new chapter can give a bit more detail unfolding the events of the the two lives and how they came to know each other.

If the grandmother is a key feature to the story, perhaps the reason for moving to the grandmother's house might be more crucial to the story.