The #RevPit annual contest is in full swing, and editors are brawling (not really) and bawling over all the wonderful entries this year. Phil the Office Cat is using his innate charm to wheedle my favorite away from other editors while I gear up for our intense editing session.
In the meantime, I thought I’d focus on one of the most important parts of contests like this one: your first chapter. While I tend to read more than the first pages based on the premise, because starting in the wrong place is really common, those first pages can make or break an entry when it’s on submission to an agent or publishing editor—or a reader if you’re self-publishing.
The first sentence is oh-so-important, but here I’m going to focus on the whole chapter because that first chapter is like a miniature model of the whole book. It tells readers what to expect from the rest of the book and gets them interested enough to find out for themselves.
When I read those ever-important first ten pages, here’s what I look for.
Side note: Of course there are books that break all these rules, and some of them are bestsellers and great books written by wonderful authors. You don’t have to follow any of them yourself. But if you’re feeling stuck or wondering where to begin, it’s a great framework to get you started.
BONUS!
Best prologue: The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd Jones
Best 1st chapter: We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
5 Notes About First Chapters
- Where in the story’s timeline does the main plot actually start? Now take one step back. Start from there.
- Give the MC someone to interact with, but limit the number of characters.
- Essential Elements:
- Voice, mood, and tone
- Forward movement in plot
- Emotional Connection
- Mystery
- Orientation
- Avoid:
- Heavy exposition
- Backstory
- Flashbacks
- Personal Introductions
- Clichés
- Do you need your prologue?
Could this prologue be the first chapter? Could the info be split up and sprinkled throughout the story in bite-sized pieces?
Are you still unsure where to start your story? Still have questions about first chapters? Reach out to me on Twitter or Instagram.
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