On Writing and Worldbuilding, Volume I

by Timothy Hickson

Summary Firstly, using the mini-three-act structure gives you the opportunity to introduce your setting and characters in interesting ways as you show what kind of problems arise in your world and how your character approaches them. Secondly, effective opening lines tend to be succinct and not superfluous. To do this, introduce only one central element of your story that makes it interesting: the conflict, the setting, the theme, or otherwise. However, don’t exaggerate these ideas to appear extraordinary and interesting for effect only to reveal them as ordinary later on. Thirdly, first chapters tend to work when their tone is consistent with the rest of the story. This can be done with stakes, imagery, diction, emphasis, and many other tools. Fourthly, the hook and inciting incident are two different story elements. A first chapter must have a hook. This usually takes the form of a question or a statement of eternal principle.