How To Write A First Chapter

Kathryn, Mari, & Rhys

Prior Knowledge

What prior knowledge do you have about starting a first chapter?

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Jot this knowledge down.

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Be prepared to share this knowledge out loud.

Entry Ticket

Use your prior knowledge to develop a draft or outline of a first chapter. You should aim for writing 1-2 paragraphs. If you would like to elaborate more, write bullet points about your characters, setting, plot, other information that you would plan on introducing in the first chapter.

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Please take this seriously, lets not have another repeat of the assignment during the horror unit. If you refuse to follow this expectation, please consider just keeping your hand down during share out.

Table Of Contents

Key Elements

Writing Exercise 1

Writing exercise 2

Share Out

Key Elements

1. Do not introduce too many characters all at once
2. Do not introduce the conflict right away
3. Try not to do the classic “I’m the main character, and I’m so special!!” thing.
4. Do not completely info-dump on the world building
5. Don’t start with a cliche (something WAY overdone)
6. Do not use too much internal monologue
1. Try to balance the dialogue out with setting description

Writing Exercise #1

Now that we know more, revise what you wrote for the entry ticket. Include different elements than what you used. For example, if you started by introducing a setting and no characters, try introducing a character (or two) this time.

Jeopardy

Writing Exercise #2

This time, we’re going to write a prologue. It can be connected to the previously written chapter or not, it’s up to you. Prologues often include something about the backstory of a character, or set up a situation that will appear later in the plot. Again, include some setting description, and don’t introduce a large amount of information. Keep in mind that you can take time to explain information, it doesn’t all appear in the first two or three chapters. Similar to your life; you won’t learn everything you need to for 6 months in the first 3 weeks, or even a month. Information is introduced the entire time.

Share out