Writer Unleashed #129: 5 First Chapter Mistakes You Can Avoid
Feb 28, 2023
22:42
What should your first chapter do? What does it need to accomplish? And what are common ways writers get their first chapter wrong?
In this episode, we'll talk about the primary aims of your first chapter, 5 common mistakes you may be making, and what to do instead.
We'll cover:
- What to do with all that back fill;
- Surprising ways to bring more action into your first chapter while building intensity;
- How to avoid overloading your first chapter with insignificant details;
- How to establish a strong, identifiable point of view, and;
- Why giving away too much of your plot is deflating the readers' urge to know more, and how to keep them curious.
Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity