On Writing the First Chapter of a Novel

Here’s the deal, the opening chapter of any story is, undoubtedly, the most important. It’s the first impression your work makes on the reader, and it needs to be compelling enough to make them want to keep reading. There needs to be something to leave readers wanting more.

A strong opening chapter can make your book a page-turner, while a weak one can cause readers to abandon your book. If you screw up the opening chapter, you are sending a message to the audience that you do not know how to do this and there’s a very good chance you do not know how to do the rest of the story.

I’ve spent a lot of time on the first chapter of my manuscript. There are four different renditions of it, and honestly, I get why. The opening chapter is hard, but if you follow certain guidelines, I’m sure you’ll be able to get started in no time!

Essential Components of a First Chapter

While doing my research, I found that there are several elements can help make the first chapter of your novel effective. These include:

1. Signalling the Genre

An opening chapter must signal the genre of the story. Readers should know right away if they are reading fantasy, horror, thriller, or another genre. For example, a sports story like Rocky opens with a sporting event, while a space opera like Star Wars begins in outer space. A science fiction horror story should include both sci-fi and horror elements in the opening scene.

2. Introducing Key Characters

The opening chapter should include either the hero or the villain of the story. It should also give the reader an idea of what these characters do for a living. The purpose of this is to demonstrate to the reader that the story is serious by introducing important characters right away. For instance, Rocky introduces the main character in a boxing ring, Star Wars presents the villain, Darth Vader, and Raiders of the Lost Ark shows Indiana Jones as an archaeologist. If the villain is not immediately present, an “extension” of them, such as a henchman, can be used. If the villain is introduced first, the hero should be introduced soon after.

3. Serving as a Miniature of the Novel

Your opening chapter should act as a “novel in miniature”. It should be a sample of what’s to come in the story in terms of tone and plot. For example, the opening of Rocky is about fighting for self-respect, which is a theme throughout the entire story. In Star Wars, the opening involves the empire chasing the rebels, which is the main conflict of the story. The opening scene in Jurassic Park introduces the theme park with dinosaurs that endanger human life, setting the stage for the rest of the story.

The Mini Three-Act Structure

One useful framework for structuring your opening chapter is the mini three-act structure. This involves:

1. Introduction of a problem

This could be an internal, external, personal, or physical problem. The problem should arise from the story’s world-building. For example, in Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, the problem is that his teacher is a monster trying to kill him.

2. Exploration of the problem

This section should delve into the problem, exploring why it’s important to the protagonist. In The Mortal Engines, this is explored as the main character argues with his mentor and thinks about why he wants to see the spectacle. In Percy Jackson, the exploration is brief, but is included when Percy finds that the teacher is a monster.

3. Resolution of the problem

This can be an actual resolution or the protagonist’s commitment to fix the problem. In Percy Jackson, he kills the monster by accident. This helps the reader understand how the main character deals with conflict.

The mini three-act structure not only creates conflict but also helps to establish the type of conflict that the reader can expect from the story and how the main character will deal with the issues. The opening problem can also be used to foreshadow later events in the story.

The Importance of Opening Lines

Opening lines are vital for grabbing the reader’s attention. These lines can emphasize various elements, such as setting, tone, character, voice, mood, conflict, tension, drama, genre, theme, or mystery. They should be persuasive and not superfluous.

My favourite example of an opening line comes from 1984 by George Orwell:

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

This line is effective because the strange and contradictory elements cause the reader to be curious. Honestly, just reading it got me in the mood. To this day, 1984 remains my favourite book of all time.

It is important that the opening line only contains one central idea. It can be tempting to add as many details as possible, but focusing on one element is more effective. Also, avoid opening lines that exaggerate a story element because it can be disappointing to the reader when the reality does not match the opening line.

Setting the Tone

The tone of the first chapter should be consistent with the rest of the story. It is vital that the first chapter adequately represents the tone of the rest of the book so that it seems cohesive. For example, in The Fault in Our Stars, the opening introduces the feeling of death but it is written in a funny and cynical way to suggest that this story will tackle heavy issues through an amusing narrator. The tone can be set through imagery, stakes, or diction.

For instance, focusing on how the wind and rain tear leaves off trees can establish a pessimistic tone, while focusing on a single beautiful flower surviving the storm will establish an optimistic tone. In King Lear, the stakes of the opening problem are high, establishing a serious tone. Tone is not necessarily about what happens but rather how you say it, which should invoke feelings in the reader through imagery, diction, characterization, and emphasis.

The Hook

Something that Awais pointed out in the initial draft of my manuscript was that it was hard to figure out the hook. And to be honest, that really confused me because I thought I’d done a great job at world building, setting the tone and introducing my characters, along with the main conflict of the book. But that’s the thing. The hook’s different

The hook is the first moment that intrigues the reader and makes them want to know more. It is different from the inciting incident which is the event that launches the character into the quest. A hook can be a question that the reader wants to be answered, or a controversial statement. For example, the opening line of Pride and Prejudice: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” which is a statement that many readers may or may not agree with.

It’s important to note that not every first chapter needs an inciting incident, but every first chapter must have a hook.

Questions to Answer in the First Chapter

The first chapter can also answer key questions to give readers a foothold in the story. This could be considered a first chapter checklist. Some questions a first chapter should answer include:

• Where and when are we? This involves some light world-building. The first chapter should put the reader into the world by establishing the location, setting, and time period.
• Who are the major players? This includes the main character.
• What’s the point of view? Is the narrator first or third person?
• What is the larger moral and cultural setting of the story?

Famous Examples of First Chapters

Looking at how famous authors start their stories can provide inspiration. For example, the first chapter of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine presents the facts in a straightforward way and establishes the main character’s defensive tone. The first-person narrative is presented through her attitude and self-deception. This chapter shows a gap between Eleanor’s stance and the reality of her life, creating intrigue. The first chapter of My Sister the Serial Killer opens a thriller with short scenes that move the story quickly. The disruption happens after the first chapter in this instance. In this story, the serial killing is given as the status quo. The first chapter establishes the main character’s concern as moving the body of the most recent victim.

Two Problems in the First Chapter

A novel’s first chapter typically presents two problems:

1. Thing One: The main character’s apparent and immediate problem. For instance, Eleanor’s loneliness or Korede’s resentment of her responsibilities to her sister.
2. Thing Two: The hidden, real problem to which the main character is blind. This could be Eleanor’s mental trauma caused by her mother’s abuse or the threat of male disruption of vital female alliances.

Thing Two is the central conflict that surfaces in the first chapter but is hidden from the main character. These two problems are often overcome in a showdown at the second event.

The ABA Format

The ABA (Action/Backstory/Action) format is used in Sally Rooney’s Normal People. The beginning of a story could be charted with these moves:

• A first disruption of the status quo
• A second event which replaces the old state with a new state.

Thing Two is usually at the heart of the story’s theme. The line between the two problems and first and second events is the narrative tension. The overt problem and covert problem need to be present, but the main character should be blind to the latter at first.

What to Avoid in the First Chapter

There are several things to avoid when writing the first chapter:

1. Lack of character focus

It is important to put the focus on your characters rather than the action or lore. If you start with an action scene, show the reader how that affects the character and why they care.

2. Lack of a hook

A reader should not need to force themselves to keep reading. A hook keeps the reader engaged.

3. Clichéd openings

Avoid overused openings such as “my alarm clock buzzed and I threw my hair into a messy bun”.

4. Exposition dumps

Avoid dropping too much information about the world or politics at the start. It is easier to digest world-building when readers understand how it impacts the characters.

TL;DR: How to Write the First Chapter

Basically, in conclusion, first chapter of a novel is vital for making a positive first impression on the reader. A successful first chapter signals the genre, introduces key characters, and acts as a miniature version of the entire novel. It also introduces conflict through the mini three-act structure and makes the reader want to know more through opening lines and hooks. The best first chapters set the tone and establish a clear understanding of the problems at play for the protagonist. By including these elements, you can create a strong opening chapter that engages readers and encourages them to turn the page.