I just started reading James Patterson’s Gone. Regardless of what you think of him and his author partnerships, the man can make sure a book is gripping. Right off the bat, Gone begins with action. The backstory gets sprinkled in a bit a time, and before you even realize it, you understand why certain things are happening.

That’s hard. It’s hard to give enough detail that the reader doesn’t feel confused, while not overloading them with unnecessary information. It’s hard to keep it moving, keep the action running, and also set the stage.

In my own book, the first couple chapters have been shaping up to be a whole lot of set up. Background. Details to get through before the story can start. I’m going to change this. The way things are now, it’s not very engaging, and if it’s not engaging, I doubt anyone will keep reading.