10 BEST Tips for Writing The First Chapter of Your Book
- Jenna Moreci
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
HelloOoOo everybody!
Today's topic comes as a special request from not one but two of my patrons over on Patreon. Both Stephanie Herrera and Laurine Bruder want to know all about writing the first chapter of your novel, aka the biggest clusterfuck of the entire writing process. I think this is a great topic. Stephanie and Laurine, you have fantastic taste. I'm breaking down my top 10 tips for writing the first chapter of your novel. We're covering how to make it amazing and impactful, and also how to survive the process with your sanity intact.
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Number 1: You’re Not Gonna Hook Anyone With the First Sentence, So Get Over That Right Now
Everywhere you go, you’ll see people spouting off the importance of the first sentence.
“If it’s not the most interesting sentence in your book, readers are gonna run for the hills.”
This is kind of bullshit. I'm not encouraging you to write a shitty first sentence, but no one is hooked one sentence deep. Usually, it takes a chapter to get someone sucked into a story.
So, better advice would be to make sure that something interesting and impactful happens on the first page. Keep in mind the first sentence is still important, but too many writers try to make their first sentence as unique as possible, and instead, they just make an ass of themselves.
Pro Tip: If your first sentence is an over-the-top metaphor or simile, you're probably being obnoxious.
Number 2: Begin Where the Story Begins
The number one question I get about writing the first chapter is, “But Jennaaa, I don’t know where to start.”
Start where the story starts. Take a look at every generic story you've ever heard. For example, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Does the story begin with a history of the three bears' lineage and how they came to be? Does it start with Goldilocks in school, doing homework, or getting her locks so pleasantly golden? No, it starts with the bears leaving their home and Goldilocks trespassing like the privileged bitch she is. No one gives a shit about anything that happened before then, because it's not relevant to the story.
Number 3: Introduce Your Main Character
Your first chapter should follow your protagonist, or else there's gonna be issues.
“But Jennaaa, my first chapter follows the villain.”
Sounds like you've written a prologue.
“But Jennaaa, my first chapter begins hundreds of years before the protagonist is even born.”
Sounds like you’ve definitely written a prologue.
“But Jennaaa, I have five protagonists!”
Then the first chapter better follow at least one of them. Whoever you introduced as the focus of your first chapter, that’s who readers are going to become invested in. If you follow a random character and then switch over to the protagonist in the second chapter, that shit’s annoying. Plus, you’ve failed to get readers interested in literally the most important character in the book.
Number 4: Give a Snapshot of the Main Character’s Life
A lot of books follow a similar formula. The main character is living their normal life, then the conflict is introduced, and their life completely changes. Because of this, it's important to give a brief look at what normal life looks like for the main character. Emphasis on brief!
This is where a lot of writers get hung up. They'll start their book off with chapter after chapter of the main character going to school or going to work. You know, the boring shit. You can give the reader an idea of this person’s life without taking them through every tedious minute of it. Instead of having the character wake up, brush their teeth, and sit through an entire day of school, start the book at the end of their very last class while they're staring at the clock, waiting for the bell to ring. This lets the reader know how mind-numbingly dull their life is, without making the reader want to end it all with them.
Number 5: Introduce the Problem
Some writers tell you to start the book with the inciting incident, and that is most definitely an option. However, as a reader, I more often than not see the inciting incident in the second chapter. Instead, the first chapter usually introduces the problem. What is going wrong in the main character's life? This is different than the inciting incident. The inciting incident propels the protagonist into action, whereas the problem is a shitty situation that instigates the inciting incident.
For example, say your book is all about a quest to find the most powerful sorcerer in the realm. The inciting incident is when your protagonist sets out on their quest. The thing is, why are they setting off on this quest in the first place? What is their motivation? Maybe their father is dying, and the only person who can save them is this sorcerer. That right there is your problem. Therefore, you introduce the dying dad in chapter one, and in chapter two, the quest begins.
Number 6: Introduce the World As It Becomes Relevant
One of the biggest mistakes writers make, especially sci-fi and fantasy writers, is turning the first chapter into one massive world-building dump. No one gives a shit. The reader does not need an entire history of the galaxy before the story has even begun, and I'm willing to wager that 75% of the information you presented isn't relevant to the story at all.
Instead, adopt the method of explaining bits and pieces of the word as they become relevant. When the characters are navigating difficult terrain, that's when you can address the climate. When they visit the castle, that’s when you can address the monarchy. And yes, a little exposition is sometimes necessary, especially in sci-fi and fantasy, but limit this information to the essentials, and by no means should the first page of the first chapter begin with an info dump.
Number 7: Show, Don’t Tell
Another big mistake newbie writers make is using the first chapter to explain everything to the reader. You know, like they’re idiots. Your protagonist’s friend enters the room, and the narrator says, “Todd was his best friend. They'd known each other for years and loved one another like brothers.”
Not only is this boring as shit, but it also doesn't resonate or stir up any emotion whatsoever. Instead, show their brotherly banter, describe them playfully teasing one another. This will communicate way more effectively that the two of them love one another like family, while also being way more entertaining to read.
Number 8: Make the Readers Care
One of the reasons it's important to introduce the problem in the first chapter is that you're trying to get the reader invested. They’re not gonna get emotionally involved if everything is fine and dandy. Introducing a problem will evoke the reader's empathy.
Additionally, showcasing your main character’s humanity is a great way to make the reader care about them. So ask yourself, what makes this person relatable? Readers don't want to see perfect people. They want to read about characters who are bullied, who are overworked, or who want something more out of life. Vulnerability in the first chapter is key to making your readers invest, so put that shit out there.
Number 9: Move On
Do not waste time trying to perfect the rough draft of your first chapter because it’s a losing battle. Instead, move on with your story. Allow that steaming pile to stink up the space for a while. You can clean it up later.
If you obsess over making the first chapter flawless now, you will never finish your book. One, because perfection is subjective. And two, because you are not yet capable of writing a flawless chapter. Writers improve as they write. Which means that if you go back to edit your first chapter after the rough draft is complete, you will be addressing it as a more competent writer. Let that person make the first chapter flawless. They'll get the job done.
Number 10: Calm the Fuck Down
Writing the first chapter is the scariest part of your manuscript. But it's not going to feel this way forever. Yes, there is a lot of pressure to make this chapter amazing, but you're not doing yourself any favors by wallowing in the stress.
There is no need to have an aneurysm over this. You are going to have multiple rounds of edits. You are going to have beta readers, critique partners, editors, and proofreaders. There will be lots of time and lots of help to make this chapter shine. So relax, be confident in the fact that you will get the job done. And even if you're not capable of writing a great chapter now, you will be capable when the time comes to edit.
So that's all I've got for you today!
A huge thank you, Stephanie and Laurine, for requesting this topic. If you’d like the chance to have a video dedicated to you, or if you want access to tons of other awards, check me out on Patreon. We've got an exclusive writing group, we have early access to videos, there's a monthly live stream, there’s signed merch, we've got tons of amazing prizes—check it out!
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