Should I Delete Chapter 1 or Add Chapter 1?

Many, many manuscripts need to be cut at the beginning in order to speed the intro to the world and main character. Some manuscripts actually need to add a chapter in before the non-stop action begins, though I think this happens less often. Here’s a handy list of questions to ask yourself, in order to decide which solution you should use for your WIP.

1. Is your first chapter an intro to the world where nothing happens to begin the plot? (Delete Chapter 1)

2. Is your first chapter an action scene where lots of people die or things get destroyed that really matter to the main character? (Add Chapter 1)

3. Is your first chapter several small scenes that make the main character seem like a good person? (Delete Chapter 1)

4. Does your first chapter contain more than a dozen new words that you have to explain? (Add Chapter 1)

5. Does your first chapter contain descriptions of people eating, cleaning, or waking up? (Delete Chapter 1)

6. Is your first chapter backstory? (Delete Chapter 1)

7. Is your first chapter from the point of view of someone other than the main character? (Delete Chapter 1—possibly make into a prologue)

8. Is your first chapter taken out of sequence so that the climax actually is masquerading as a first chapter? (Add Chapter 1 and tell the story in the proper order)

9. Is your first chapter a birthday party or similar life event where the main character is thinking back on her life and deciding what to do to start the main narrative? (Delete Chapter 1)

10. Is your first chapter about the main character’s infancy or very early childhood when the real story starts years later? (Delete Chapter 1)

Note: This is a bit tongue in cheek. I know there are good first chapters where people eat and good first chapters where people die. But as a generalization, I think these rules work.