Comments on: The Perils of First Chapters

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:30:16 +0000

Empi – yep, my problems are definitely with plotting. The more I plot, the more stilted it is. There must be a happy medium somewhere huh? As to first lines, no, not really. I usually go back and change if I’m not happy but it doesn’t have to be perfect.

By: empire76

empire76 — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:08:13 +0000

First chapters have traditionally been easy for me to write--until I decided to plot. Now I'm in that no-man's-land where I know winging it often doesn't produce a solid piece, but plotting results in a stilted chapter.

When I think about my characters (like I'd think about friends and family) it helps form their story in my mind.

On another note, usually I need the perfect to start every chapter. If I know the objectives of that chapter, then it usually flows from the first line.

Do you have any issues with first lines?

Empi

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:43:53 +0000

Suzanne – I have tried skipping chapter one before but it doesn’t work. I find I need to have that scene setting chapter in order to get into the characters. It’s a pickle!

By: Suzanne Jones

Suzanne Jones — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:28:01 +0000

I'm in a short story phase at the mo and often find things just don't work - sometimes I need to re-write up to 10 times before the feel of it is right (and still no guarantees an editor will agree).

In longer fiction, I often miss whole bits that aren't working out and go back later to fill in the blanks. Can you skip to chapter 2 and go back to chapter 1 afterwards?

XX

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:58:49 +0000

Katie – yeah, I keep changing that opening line too! Ah well, onwards and upwards huh?

Joanne – it’s tough huh? But the bathroom scene sounds like some great incentive!

By: Joanne Coles

Joanne Coles — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:53:25 +0000

I too can’t write on until I’ve got the first chapter as I want it, then I give myself permission to carry on. Of course, the first chapter may change when the rest of the book is written (mine definitely will, as I’ve had clear advice to ditch the first part of chap 1–even though I love it to pieces).

It’s a Saturday night and I am making myself push through the nasty mid book sag so I can get to a yummy bathroom scene 🙂

By: Katie Gibb

Katie Gibb — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:45:25 +0000

Yes, I find first chapters difficult. But I especially find the opening line to be hair pulling. I'm on chapter 5 now and keep fiddling with the opening scene. I must have changed it 5x now. UGH!

But you can do it Jackie. I know you can.

Take care.
Gibb

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:27:50 +0000

Leah - I'm so with you on that. My chapters used to be really gimmicky and based on NOTHING! But I did enjoy writing them. Sigh.

Rach - I know, you do like that don't you! :-) I quite like that myself. Cheers re the chapter though.

Lacey - I sorted the conflict, not much else. I guess that's a start! Good luck with yours. :-)

Janette - chapter two huh? Sometimes that can be a problem for me. And chapter 3. Hell, the whole damn thing sometimes!

Judy - yep. Can someone move the wall? 'Cause my head hurts.

Kaily - chapter 8?? That's funny. I should mine differs from ms to ms. Some are good, some are not.

Maisey - yup, you're right re the pantsing part. Maybe that's why I'm finding it hard. So much to think about. I guess that's what editing's about. Yay re your hot scene! Can't wait to read. ;-)

Maya - thanks for the hugs! Yeah, the thing that you get hung up on can be so simple. Mine was also initially set at a ball but I got totally hung up on what his entourage, the press, would be doing etc, etc. Better to cut them all out!

Michelle - yes, sigh, that's totally true. Well, in the interests of me actually writing the rest of the story, I'm going to keep mine as is and then revisit when I've finished. I can change it if I need to.

By: Michelle Styles

Michelle Styles — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:33:10 +0000

Umm, my first chapters often change.
With Gladiator’s Honour, I had to totally rewrite the first chapter as the meet was far too gimicky. The problem with gimmicky starts is that the editors have all seen it before and unless you have a really new take, it is a hard sell.

By: Maya

Maya — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:25:47 +0000

Ha! This problem is exactly why I abandoned my sheikh story back in January. And it’s a great story, even if I say so myself. I've got the conflict all worked out but for some reason, the beginning just wouldn't come together.

In the end I totally panicked and abandoned it. It was especially excruciating because normally I have the reverse problem - my beginnings just fly then I get stuck about 3/4 way through. With this one, I wanted the first major scene to take place on a yacht, but I had to get the h&h from the ball to the yacht, and for some reason it just wasn't happening. I just couldn't make it fly without it looking gimmicky. I still plan on writing the story once I send the current requested partial off, but yep, this is a very real pain-in-the-tush problem!

Sending hugs and hoping it all comes together for you soon :)