What should I write about in the first chapter of a book?

Question

I want to write a book but I don't know what the first chapter shoud be about. Please help!

Answer 1

where the story takes place and talk a little bit about the main character and his back round

Answer 2

Do you know what the book will be about? The first chapter should "Grab" the reader and make them want to read more. It should also introduce a main character or two, set the time frame and location and give people a sense of where the story may be going, if its a mystery. love story, science fiction, historical and so on. The information should intermingle with an exciting or interesting aspect of the plot so the reader doesn't get bored by long descriptions but rather is intrigued by the story line you are setting up. You know your story better than we so you just have to get started. Don't be discouraged if you have to write the first chapter over and over until you are satisfied, in fact if you don't do that it probably won't be very effective.

Answer 3

If you have a good idea about the whole story, maybe a really god plot line and twist, don't start in the beginning. Start writing that climax scene or a building character scene. Then it'll be easier to go back to the beginning.

Maybe you could write about a time a long while from now when technology is really advanced, and that makes it really hard for people to kill each other. So when this teenage pair gets pursued by some realy bad people the only way they can kill them is to go back in time and kill their previous-self. You could say that everyone is reincarnated from two generations before. So all they have to do is find the bad peoples' (in this situation would I use) incarnated?-self.

I don't know. It might not be what you're looking for but I had the idea but I kew i wouldn't write on that one. Sometimes I just have ideas that are fun to think about but not write about.

Good luck and happy writing!

Edit: The others said it well, too. Fill the first chapter with character development and setting description. This is when you add the little details, after you've written the climax scene, that are imporant to the plot.

♥ Peace

Answer 4

Don't go to fanfiction.net for help on something like this. It's a great site, and everything, but you'll want to read actual books to get an idea of the first chapter. It doesn't always introduce the plot right away; sometimes it takes time to get there, maybe a few chapters, depending on how you want to go about it. But one thing is official; the first chapter introduces the main character at the very least.

Answer 5

The first chapter. An introduction? Something different? What scene is it? Is it dark? Dangerous?

90% of manuscripts are thus rejected by the end of the first page.
99% of manuscripts are rejected by the end of the first chapter.

The first chapter is of great importance. It setts the scene and lays the foundation for the rest of the book. A good author always plans work and will use the introduction as a plan for the rest of the book.

Read it again. Write it again. Don't be afraid to make edits and change the storyline. The first chapter is the heart of a book.

It is best to use concise and accurate descriptive language in text. Know your target audience well and seek advice from authors who write the same genre you intend to.

For example, text like: my heart beat frantically could be improved by adding descriptive words and improved. One improved version of the text could be: my heart beat like that of a panicked rabbit, afraid and alone, cornered in a darkened street with no escape.

A conclusion to your chapter is also very important. Instead of writing something like THE END, you could write a single sentence such as: I was frightened. Your concluding first chapter sentence should sum up the rest of the text in a clear way and support the rest of the text.

So, whenever you write the first chapter, remember 3 basic ideas:

-Use clear descriptive language
-Don't be afraid to edit it alot
-A concluding sentence should be used to sum up your chapter

Write well.

Answer 6

I spoke to an author of a Gothic Romance novels and she said the 1st three chapters set up the story and the rest resolves it.

She got the go ahead to publish a manuscript by submitting the 1st 3 chapters and a synopsis f the rest of the story.

Answer 7

Before you start thinking seriously about writing a book, why don't you read a few? Once you have read half-a-dozen books (it doesn't matter what they are), you will have a pretty good idea how a book should be written.........and how to start the first chapter.

Answer 8

It should contain enough information to really hook the reader. Don't try to 'tell', far better to 'show'. Make it intriguing, clever, witty and alluring. Write it well, know where your book is going and work and work and work at it.

Try joining a really good writing community on the web, see what works for others and join in the discussion forums for good feedback at http://www.abctales.com. It's a long established writing site, free to use and good fun.

Answer 9

You first chapter should open with a "hook" designed to draw the reader in immediately, then introduce the main character and his goal or conflict, set within his world.

Yeah, it only *sounds* easy, huh?

Answer 10

the first chapter is usealy an intro, for help try reading fan writen stories here. fanfiction.netthe more you read, the easier it is to write.