Warning: some of these first chapter habits are naughty but at the same time they can be quite pleasurable:
- Tell the reader everything. I am such a blabber mouth. I struggle to keep secrets and I hate surprises. Given the chance, I will tell you, the reader, everything you need to know in the first chapter about the plot, characters, twists and ending. I will feel a lot better once its out and then I will just pad out the next 130 pages. Sigh! I am controlling this by planning and structuring my plot. Being a writer who never plotted made this problem worse. I have had to change my ways to resolve this issue.
- Go cliché crazy. I love clichés. I know they can be damaging but they make me smile. Given the chance I would open my book with ‘it was a dark and stormy night’……hang on, that is the opening sentence of my book! I am controlling this by just having a raised cliché awareness.
- Introduce all my characters. I want you, the reader, to meet and greet all my major and minor characters as soon as possible. In the first chapter I am bubbling with excitement and struggling to contain myself. Given the chance I would open my book with a merry parade of all my characters. I am controlling this through planning and structuring my plot. Again being someone who never plotted made this worse. Planning and plot structure keeps my excitement under control.
- Start with a quick weather report. I am obsessed with looking at the weather app on my phone and knowing what the weather conditions are for the rest of the day / asking myself will I need a brolly (umbrella)? Seeing as though I always like to know what the weather is like outside, given the chance I would start my book with a quick weather report. I am still learning on this one.
- Extensive character lists. I love making lists. The majority of my blog posts are list based. Given the chance I would provide you, the reader, with a detailed descriptive list on what each character looks like; brown hair, chestnut eyes, slim, stick out ears, skinny legs and large feet. There would be no work for the reader if I was left to my own devices. I am still learning on this.
- Back Story Overload. I know the back story should be hinted at in the first chapter. Given the chance I would tell you everything you needed to know about the back story. A lot of books that I have read lately don’t start the backstory until chapter three – eeek! Again this can be controlled through plot and structuring of your novel. It’s a tough one especially if you are someone like me who cannot keep anything to themselves.
You will all be glad to know that I am very restrained now. If anyone would like to tell me their first chapter secrets I will not tell a soul 🙂
Take care out there writers!
Photo; Stocknsnaps
😀 You just made my day with this list. We are so much alike, IBFF. ❤ Thanks for being real!
Really??? Oh I am so pleased! Do you struggle with secrets too?
Yes. All except keeping my daughter’s birthday present a surprise for seven months! Sadly, I still hinted at it, which is DANGEROUS! haha I want to tell everyone everything. I might be the queen of TMI, too. *sigh*
We are the blabber mouth gals! Lol!
haha Two birds of a feather. 🙂
You know I disagree with you. Reading two of your novels in progress I think you did a very good job with pacing and not saying too much at all. I especially mean this about the story geared more towards young adults, the fantasy with the clocks (totally speaking in code to protect the characters privacy 😉 )
Oh Candice – I will send you the money later :-)))
Oh my gosh! You made me wheeze-laugh hahaha
#secretpromoter
😆
Lol – I think these are true of all of us. As for clichés, I’ve found they work really well with a small twist. For example, instead of saying, “her face turned white as a ghost,” make it, “her face turned white as a vampire ghost” (or something).
Love vampire ghosts!! We need more of them in books
Ha ha – go for it! Just credit me in the acknowledgments and invite me to your island when you’re rich and famous 😀
I am not organized enough to make lists. That requires an active memory. Who was it that said “Many a person fails to become a good thinker because their memory id too good.” ?
Good quote 🙂 thx for reading
When it comes to writing, I’m a pantser and not a plotter. This may or may not be my downfall, but I get easily bored during the writing process if there isn’t an element of surprise attached to happenings. For me, to plot, would be a bit like watching a thriller film and already knowing the end — just not the same.
You might find this post interesting http://www.piatkusbooks.net/are-you-a-plotter-or-a-pantser/
You are one of my writing heroines and to hear that you are a pantser makes me submit my annual subscription to the Sarah Potter fan club. I am trying to change my ways and it’s really hard. I like surprise too. Thx 🙂
Apparently, Stephen King is also a pantser 🙂 In good company.
This made me laugh out loud. Brilliant. Would love to see a book with all these things in…actually, on second thoughts, perhaps not!
Oh you got me excited about writing a bad book!
Love it! 🙂
🙂
It could be a satirical novel, like the Airplane movies with Leslie Neilsen.
Now you are getting my creative juices flowing 🙂
I love #2. I wish we could speak in cliches! Why should I find a new way to adequately explain an awkward situation that someone already invented for me? Sigh / long exhale combo.
I would love to speak the language of clichés! Let me know when you are ready to converse! I am fluent BTW
You do love your lists. Another great blog post! My hubby is also overly interested in the weather. It’s one of those things I don’t usually give a thought and don’t have to because he will keep tabs on it for me. As for my secrets, I will keep them to myself, Miss Blabbermouth. lol
Thx for reading and making me smile 🙂
I always read you. Thanks for making me smile. I may skip other blogs when I get behind, but not yours. 🙂
Thx for your kind words 🙂 I needed to smile tonight
It’s what we do. I remember some much needed cyber hugs when I was having a bad spot. (((Hugs)))
Thx – the hugs were ace! Happy Friday 🙂
I will be emailing you this weekend for your opinion on something I am planning to attempt AND your advice so please do check your inbox. 😀
Fab – can’t wait! Was going to ask if I could read Warden again? Need inspiration!
😀 If you are serious, as I get your suggested revisions done I can send it over to you. how does that sound?
Yes very serious 🙂
Then count it done! 😆
Plot structure is tough.
Yep 🙂
I am actually a plotter, but I struggle with the first chapter also. I end up not having the first chapter written the way I want it unti the book is finished. It’s the hardest chapter to write in the entire book. I am working on another book now and am fixing to do my third complete rewrite of the first chapter. But now I think it got it the way I want in my head. It’s a process, but eventually, with lots of work, anyone can write a good first chapter.
Thx for reading 🙂 Sounds like a good process – happy Sunday!
check… check… check… OK, I didn’t miss any of those. Yuck!
Thx for reading Jacqui 🙂 happy Monday
Wasn’t long ago I was told I practically DID have a parade of characters in the beginning of my book. So, um, I am totally guilty of this.
I love a good old fashioned character parade! Its lovely to see you Aila Stephens in this blonde part of town 🙂
🙂 You kidding? It’s my pleasure! I ❤️ your blog!