Once you’ve finished the first draft of your story, it’s time to tackle chapter one revision. It’s only after you’ve hammered out an entire draft that you can know where the story starts, and what information absolutely has to be included. Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether your first impression energizes the reader to demand the full story.

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Where does this story truly begin?

Most writers struggle with this question. There’s a reason most drafts have the tightest writing in the last third of the story. By then you’ve moved beyond the muddy middle, all of the important details and backstory have been unloaded. You’ve hit your stride, and you can see the finish line. If only you could write your opening with the same confidence and clarity!

It is possible. Friends, it can be done! But … you can only tackle chapter one revision once the first draft is finished. Why? Because you could spend more time than you have agonizing over the beginning, and it’s more important to get the entire story told first. Once you have a sense of how the plot arcs, how the characters change, then you’ll be able to better see how to tackle chapter one revision. Even if you outlined the heck out of it before you started, it isn’t until you’ve actually written a complete draft that you know how things will actually play out. Once you know where you need to end up, you will see more clearly where you really need to start. For some writers, this on page ten or twenty of draft one. For others, it’s closer to page 75. 

So where does your story really begin? Generally, it’s in the moment right before the protagonist’s world is disrupted. The opening of the story should be a glimpse—not a full episode—of the character’s life before the inciting incident rocks their world. Sometimes this will be five to ten pages; for middle grade it could be a few paragraphs up to a few pages, and for picture books, it’s generally in the opening sentences.

What do we need to learn from chapter One?

Several things. First, introduce your main character. How? Let us hear their voice, loud and clear. Regardless of what POV you use (first, third, or close third), make sure your protagonist’s distinct voice can be heard right away. If your voice comes alive in the first paragraph, it will help hook the reader.

Next, show us what this character wants. There has to be something, or else why would we jump into their lives right at this point? If we know what the character wants, what their broad goal is, then the inciting incident usually becomes something that gets directly in the way of that, amplifying the tension.

How do you introduce the character?

Show how other characters view the protagonist through action and dialogue. Give a sense of what type of person the protagonist is, whether they’re reliable narrators. Again, let us hear their voice. The more engaging the voice is, the more compelled readers will be to keep going.

Do you back into the story?

When you write your first draft, you have so much information in your head you want to convey to the reader. It almost seems logical that you’d want to share as much of it as possible up front. But ask yourself, does the reader care? Why? Readers want to have their imaginations captured right away. They want to jump into a new world, with the protagonist as their avatar in the present moment. Backing into the story means information-loading. Excessive details. Telling the reader instead of organically delivering information as it becomes relevant.

How much backstory?

None, if possible. Keep the focus on what’s happening in the present moment. We don’t need to know about five years ago or how the characters first met or what the main character thinks of everyone else in their life unless it directly impacts the present situation.

To recap, Chapter One Revision should Address:

1.     Creating an engaging voice in the first chapter.

2.     Introducing the main character, showing them in action.

3.     Giving a glimpse of the character’s before world.

4.     Showing what the protagonist wants, what they value, what’s important to them.

5.     After you’ve wowed the reader with the distinct voice and a glimpse of the protagonist’s world, hit them with the inciting incident. This will set the hook, propelling the reader into the rest of the story.

You have one chance to make a first impression. Let your character’s voice be heard from page one. If you plan to submit your work to agents or editors, they will most likely only request your first ten to twenty pages after reading your query. That’s it. Only the opening. It won’t matter how well you stuck the ending if no one ever sees it. With your chapter one revision, make the opening jump off the page, and all of your readers will want to continue on.

Are you ready to take your story to the next level? Kristen Overman is here to help you! She's an experienced editor with expertise in middle grade and young adult fiction, picture books, adult fiction, and memoir. She can work with you to develop your plot, characters, and narrative voice, as well as assist in the brainstorming and outlining stages of your project.