No matter how you think you want to begin the first few pages of your book, there are other people with a vested interest in your first chapter and their requirements should be taken into consideration along with the needs of your story.

It may seem unfair but you first need to sell your story before it will ever be read. Your first chapter, and even more importantly, your first page, is your demonstration product for your sales pitch. It has to be complete and understandable, because most of the time you won’t be there to answer any questions.

Your first sales pitch will be to an agent or publisher, or both. These are not traditional readers, although they will be looking at your book to determine whether it will potentially sell to readers.

Structure of a first chapter

Agents and publishers have specific expectations of a first chapter. Although there are always exceptions, following the generally agreed guidelines as to what makes a good first chapter could improve your chances of having the rest of your manuscript requested, and eventually being offered a contract.

The first chapter should begin just before a pivotal event in your protagonist’s life. This is something that forces a change or a decision. The rest of the chapter sets up the action towards this change and the chapter ends with, or shortly after, the event.

With this sequence, you’ve set up a hook to encourage your readers to turn to chapter two, wanting to know how this change is going to affect the protagonist and what he’s going to do to resolve it.

Your second sales pitch based on your first chapter is delivered to the browser in the bookstore (or the library). Some book buyers will read an entire chapter standing in the aisle, but most start with the first few paragraphs. If that doesn’t hook them, they move on to the next book. If it does, they read on a bit more, and they may buy your book if it has interested them enough.

Many writers begin the process fully expecting to have to rewrite their first chapter once they’ve completed their first draft. Some start with a temporary rough chapter, or even just a sketchy outline of the first chapter rather than invest much time in getting it perfect from the start.

A good outline of your story can really help when it comes to identifying where to begin your story. Sometimes the beginning point is not where you initially thought it was. It can even take several drafts and a thorough retrospective analysis of the plot before a better beginning point becomes clear.

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What do agents and publishers look for in a manuscript submission? Literary agent, Noah Lukeman explains the inside information you need to know in The First Five Pages : A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile

James N. Frey (not the memoir writer!) has some good advice on How to Write a Damn Good Novel : A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling

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The first chapter, first page, and even the first line of a novel are very important for capturing your reader's attention.

How well do you recognise famous first lines in literature? Take this fun quiz to test your knowledge!

Take the First Lines Quiz