Your First Chapter is Starting Too Early

When we meet your character, are they waking up?

Many writers begin with:

• waking up

• traveling

• explaining backstory

• normal daily life that goes on too long

These aren’t necessarily bad, and it’s important to show a glimpse of ‘normal’ life, but readers start paying attention when something feels different.

Keep ‘normal’ short

Start as close to the change as possible.

After establishing ‘normal’, ask:

• What disrupts their routine?

• What problem appears?

• What decision must be made?

That’s often where the story begins. It can be something small, only noticeable by the main character, but it must interrupt their ‘everyday’ life.

We don’t need every answer immediately.

Readers don’t need the whole backstory of your world or characters or all their friends.

Readers just need enough information to follow along with the first chapter. The rest of the details will unfold as your novel progresses.

If you’re building a new world, interject ‘new and different’ quickly then add little reminders of where we are (like playing keepy-uppy with a balloon, just need to hit it every now and then to keep it afloat.)

Before readers care about your world, they care about your character.

In that first chapter, give us:

• an everyday goal

• a worry

• an emotion

• something relatable

Even if you are writing from the perspective of a villain or ‘bad guy’ we have to care. It can be as simple as their favourite flavor of cake, or how they hate strawberry jam. Or maybe they are having a bad hair day, or broke a nail while on a murder spree. We need to care ASAP.

Starting with action and excitement isn’t always the best.

If you start with action:

• make it quick

• let the characters personality come through with dialogue or choices

• make it known if this is the characters ‘normal’

Readers need to care. An action sequence is great and fun, but that only serves to capture the readers attention.

A quick revision trick:

Cut your first 3 pages, then ask:

• Did I lose anything essential?

• Does the story still make sense (for the most part)

• Did the story actually get stronger?

Not ready to cut that much? Start with your first page. Or, find where your character looks at the world or a situation and goes “huh?”

Many stories start later than we think.

Writing is supposed to be fun!

Can it be stressful, and agonizing, and frustrating?

Yes.

But, you are creating something brand new. Have fun, enjoy the process, and breath through the struggles.