First Chapter MISTAKES New Writers Make ❌ Avoid These Cliches!!

Summary

In this video, Abbie shares expert tips on how to write a captivating first chapter, emphasizing the importance of engaging readers within the first five minutes. She discusses common pitfalls, such as overloading readers with exposition, introducing unnecessary characters, or starting with a boring routine. Instead, she advises starting with internal and external conflict, showcasing the protagonist's struggles early on, and avoiding cliches. Abbie also explores how to reveal character depth through action and decision-making, making the reader care about the protagonist and ensuring they’re hooked for the rest of the story.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start strong: The first chapter should hook the reader within the first five minutes by engaging both the external and internal conflicts of the protagonist.
• 😀 Avoid exposition dumps: Don’t overwhelm the reader with world-building or explanations of society and magic systems in the first chapter.
• 😀 Show internal conflict early: Reveal enough of your protagonist's internal struggles so readers can empathize, even if all the details aren’t clear yet.
• 😀 Don't save the 'good stuff' for later: Don't hold back on the interesting aspects of your character or plot in order to create mystery. Reveal enough to hook the reader.
• 😀 Stay away from irrelevant prologues: Avoid starting with a mysterious or unnamed character who will not appear again, as it confuses the reader.
• 😀 Limit character names and information: Introduce only essential characters and information in the first chapter to avoid overwhelming the reader.
• 😀 Avoid starting with mundane routines: Don’t open with your protagonist waking up to a normal day—this doesn’t engage readers immediately.
• 😀 Focus on character reactions: Start with an event that challenges the protagonist, showing how they react to external conflict to reveal their character.
• 😀 Use conflict to engage the reader: Show how the protagonist’s external conflict clashes with their internal beliefs or struggles, forcing them out of their comfort zone.
• 😀 Make waking up unique: If using a waking-up scene, make it unusual and impactful, setting the stage for an extraordinary day that changes the character's life.

Q & A

Why is chapter one so important in a story?

Chapter one is crucial because it serves as the reader's first impression of the book. It must capture their attention within the first few minutes to ensure they continue reading. This is the moment to hook the reader and introduce the conflict, both external and internal, that the protagonist will face.

What is the recommended strategy for starting chapter one without overwhelming the reader?

Avoid overwhelming the reader with too much worldbuilding, exposition, or an excess of character names. Instead, focus on showing the protagonist's place in the world and their conflict right from the start, without excessive explanations that might confuse or bore the reader.

Why is starting with exposition about the world or magic system not advised?

Starting with exposition can be disorienting and overwhelming for the reader, especially if they’re introduced to too much information at once. It lacks internal conflict and makes it harder to engage with the protagonist. Instead, it's better to show the protagonist’s struggles first and gradually reveal world details through action.

What are the dangers of starting with a mysterious narrator or a character who disappears early?

If the story begins with a mysterious narrator or an unnamed character who is never seen again, the reader becomes confused and disconnected. It's important to establish a character who matters to the story immediately, rather than leaving the reader wondering about the relevance of a character they will never see again.

How can one avoid the cliche of starting with a character waking up in the morning?

To avoid the cliche of a boring 'wake up' scene, you can show the character waking up to an unexpected event or conflict that disrupts their ordinary life. This helps draw the reader in by creating immediate stakes and intrigue, making the day special and important for the character.

What is the most effective way to introduce a protagonist’s internal conflict in chapter one?

The internal conflict of the protagonist should be hinted at early on, even if not fully explained. Show enough of their emotional or mental struggle so the reader cares about them, but leave some mysteries to build curiosity. The key is to establish the character's motivations and desires through their actions and decisions.

What is meant by the term 'curiosity to reward ratio' in writing the first chapter?

The 'curiosity to reward ratio' refers to creating a balance between what the reader knows about the protagonist and what is still a mystery. Ideally, for every two questions the reader has about the character, they should get one satisfying answer. This keeps the reader intrigued without overwhelming them with answers.

Why is it important to show the protagonist’s response to the inciting incident early on?

Showing how the protagonist responds to the inciting incident early on helps establish who they are and their internal conflicts. This is crucial for engaging the reader quickly, as it introduces the character’s fears and beliefs while pushing them out of their comfort zone, which sets up the rest of the story.

What should a writer avoid when introducing a large number of characters in the first chapter?

Introducing too many characters at once can confuse the reader. It's best to limit the number of names and new characters in the first chapter, focusing on a few key figures and using identifiers like 'sister,' 'mother,' or 'business partner' to establish their relationship to the protagonist.

What makes a good first chapter according to the video?

A good first chapter should immediately introduce conflict, both internal and external, within the protagonist. It should give readers a reason to care about the character through their actions and decisions, and the pacing should be engaging. The first chapter needs to set the tone for the rest of the book and keep the reader hooked by balancing mystery and clarity.