How to Write the First Chapter of a Novel

One obstacle to writing the first chapter of a novel is writing the opening sentence.

Every writer struggles to come up with a first line to a novel that will resonate with readers. Famous first lines like Charles Dickens' "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" and George Orwell's "It was a bright cold day and the clocks were striking thirteen" helped their books stand apart as classics. While the first line can be a writer's stumbling block, the first chapter can make or break a book. The first chapter can lure in a skeptical reader or drive them away to a book with a more compelling start.

Instructions

1. Begin your first chapter by branching out from the initial paragraph along several different paths. Create several drafts of your first page to determine which path complements your vision for the entire book. For example, a science fiction novelist writing about a distant galaxy can try out opening pages describing a planet, detailing an alien conversation or profiling a lonely starship captain.

2. Reveal information about your protagonist and his purpose in the story as you write your first chapter. You can opt for a chapter-ending reveal of the character's name or use a conversation between the protagonist and another character to detail his background.

3. Use your first chapter as an opportunity to set the place, time and emotional state of your novel. The first chapter of a World War II-era romance story differs greatly from the first chapter of a modern-day crime drama. Allow characters to reveal small details like the temperature, the hour and familiar landmarks to keep your first chapter from sounding like a travelogue.

4. Unveil the back story to your novel by using flashbacks and narrative reminiscences in the first chapter. For example, a novel about treasure hunting can start with pirates burying their loot on an island two centuries earlier. Keep these flashbacks relatively limited in detail to build suspense in proceeding chapters.

5. Employ the same tense and terminology in your first chapter as you plan on using in following chapters. Your readers will be confused if you flip from a third-person to a first-person narrative without explanation. While imaginary words in science fiction and fantasy can be left untouched in the first chapter, the writer should reference these terms later to tie up loose ends.

Tips & Warnings

• Read your first and last chapter after completion to make sure your writing is consistent. Ask friends, co-workers and casual acquaintances to read both chapters. Use positive and negative feedback to clear up inconsistencies in tone and character development during your final draft.

• Eliminate cliche opening lines and paragraphs as you start your first chapter. Authors who use "It was a dark and stormy night" and other well-worn lines may frustrate experienced readers in their genre.

Resources

• Check Pub Quiz Help's famous first lines
• Read "The New York Times" First Chapters section