Beta Reader Group discussion
Writing Advice & Discussion
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First Chapter.Advice.
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Since nobody has responded to this, I thought I would chime in with some advice and reassurance, for what they're worth.I think you should stop putting pressure on yourself to create a "killer" first line or a "mind-blowing" first chapter. Sure, every writer wants to come up with the perfect first line like Rebecca ("Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again") or 1984 ("It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen"). But those are famous for a reason; most first lines are much less memorable. Think of the many books you have enjoyed. How many of them had a memorable first line or mind-blowing first chapter? I'll bet fairly few.
The main task of your first line and first few pages is to get the reader to read on. They are the "hook" to your story. They have to be good, yes, but they don't have to be perfect or "mind blowing". And you need to put a similar amount of effort into the rest of the book. Agents (and readers) are not going to be impressed if your first page is amazing and what follows is slapdash.
>Would you continue reading this book?
Maybe. It depends on how it's written. It seems like a good hook, showing something about the MC and the world in which he lives. You might want to get rid of the flashback or keep it for later on when the reader has their bearings in your world. But again, all depends on the execution.
Thank you. Thank you, Fiona Hurley, for a response and a reasonable one. You're right, so right. I shouldn't be worrying this much when I know the story has the power to get the pages flipping.
I was too stressed over this so seriously, thanks for responding.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Rebecca (other topics)1984 (other topics)
Most agents, actually not just agents, every single reader out there wants the first page and first line to be killler and that's something I'm struggling with.My novel without a doubt will be exciting but the first chapter or the first pov starts on an average pace.To be brief, here's what basically takes place in order,
-MC has a chat with his childhood friend on their way to a bakery.
-Amidst, he is attacked by a group.He lets the friend go ahead and does the fight.
-He reaches the bakery and thinks the place and the server is cute.Some short conovs that reveal he has trust issues and warns his friend about every single human on earth.
-An upcoming festival is written about, that celebrates the ending of war between the neighbouring kingdoms.
-A minor, barely any, flashback about the MC thinking of how his Father was the one who ended the war.
-It is ultimately revealed that he's a King in disguise when he is addressed as he enters the palace.
Would you continue reading this book?
Now this was the first 15 pages. I just want to know if I should go ahead and rewrite these and bring some mind-blowing stuff in the first pages itself to make them more interesting and hooking?Or do I hold my thoughts and keep it the way I always intended it to be? I'm guessing I'm fine either way-I can provide the first chapter written here if in case someone wants to have a look at it...