Opinions Wanted!!!

[silverthorne]

Okay, this can come from either a writers perspective, or a readers, or both. And I would dearly love imput on this, so...

In your opinion...do you find you like a story where the inital conflict that sets the events of the main plot in motion are written about first, or do you prefer to start with the main plot and have the situations that led to it mentioned during the course of the story?

I'm having a little bit of trouble trying to decide where to start a story...I know the situation that sets everything in motion, how it happens, even bit of dialogue...however...

Although it would give shape to both the world and some of the characters, I'm afraid that it might detract by taking too long for the set up, especially since it is an event that happens several years before the main story. I would like the reader to know where they are and what's going on, but am also afraid of overwhelming them with information from the start...so...

What do all of you think? Any preferences? Any fantasy stories (other than HP and LOTR) that stick out as great as far as beginnings and presentation of present/past events? Any help would be appreciated...

Comments

[cagewench.livejournal.com]

I wrote out a scene where the mage thinks he's victorious, he goes to congratulate his lady love and discovers that she has betrayed him and changed the course of their world forever.