From
the editor
I woke up the other night with what I
think is finally the perfect opening for the first chapter of
my "old" novel. I've lost count of the number of
times I've rewritten this chapter, but it must be at least six
or seven now.
For many writers, beginning to write
at the beginning of the book makes a lot of sense.
Developments arise in the same sequence that they will for the
eventual reader, making it easy to judge where more
information is needed.
But some writers like to jump around
and write whatever part of the book inspires them at any given
moment. This can be a natural and free way of writing, and is
worth exploring. It's also the easiest way to miss something
and confuse your readers.
Bear in mind that the first chapter
you write when you first start your book, may not necessarily
be the same first chapter that graces the finished product on
the bookshelf. At the beginning of your work on your book, you
don't need to worry about getting the first chapter perfect
before you move onto Chapter Two.
Elle
25/01/07
Constructing
your first chapter
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.
Read
this article
Related
links and articles
First
lines quiz
Writing
a synopsis
To
plan or not to plan
Previous
articles on the Fiction Writing site
Freewriting
Exposition
in fiction
Writing
fantasy
On
the Fiction Writing forum
How many times have you rewritten a
first chapter?
Tell
us about it on the forum!
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