“It was a pleasure to burn.” ––Fahrenheit 451 [Ray Bradbury]

Opening chapter of a book is simply a testament of "first impression is the last impression." When a curious eye stands in the midst of a book aisle, your book in their hand, fingers skimming through the words, the very first line, first paragraph, and the first chapter become the deciding one. Anyone would want to see the reader smile and grab their card to own that copy, right?

Right.

That's what we are learning today. How to focus on grabbing the readers' attention and make your opening chapter a mighty one!

This chapter opened with a line from the novel, Fahrenheit. Short, crisp, impactful. So many things, so many ideas, deductions ––all from one single line. The first line of your novel is no less water for a reader who is out there waiting to quench their thirst to read good books! No exaggeration, truly.

While writing the opening chapter, firstly decide who the main narrator is going to be. A story can be in any point of view, clarity is the key. If we are writing a chapter from 1st person narrative, we are to get deeper into the thoughts and feelings of the lead. At the same time, a 3rd person perspective will put us through the events and give us a space to analyze how the lead interacts and acts in various situations. Pick any POV, simply stick to it confidently.

Introducing the main character is quite important. The readers wouldn't want to know about all the characters at one place, but at least the main leads must peek through that door and wave at the readers. No matter what genre you have picked, giving your readers some bits about your main character is going to pull them in. They would know who to stick by, whom to cheer for!

Show them the world. Where is the said character? Mountain peak? Or a cozy chamber in woods? Maybe it's an office on 33rd floor of a complex in Dallas. Possibly, a different planet even? No need to describe every tid-bit, every star, each paint shade in the first chapter itself ––but do add the world, the glimpse of setting to the chapter. If the main voice is narrating the opening chapter from a Gas station, add the setting! Visuals pull the readers in, they get settled when there is a setting behind their eyes and a character currently resides there.

Writing a mystery? Try to avoid showing fluffy romance in the first chapter. Seriously, listen to us. The readers have acknowledged your story cover, tags, description ––they have built an aura around what to expect, and if you suddenly flip the theme of the story to another direction, whiplash is sure to follow. Set the theme, set the tone. If a murder is about to happen, set the aura to suit the plot. Add those elements that go by your genre and theme. No, this is not a restriction. We are talking about the opening character at the moment, your genre and theme must be reflected within.

Torture your main lead now. Everything is going smoothly, your character is a hopeless romantic, they are singing their joyous heart out under warm sunlight, nodding and smiling at strangers, fist bumping those cute kids... how about you add a grumpy rival in the picture?

Or,

Y/N is leading a hopelessly hopeful life, full of vivid imaginations, a permanent smile resides on their face, their social circle is non-existent, but who cares? Their parents are on world tour... for as long as they can remember. They are sane (maybe), buying groceries, cooking food, jamming songs on full sound, dancing, enjoying, and leading a basic, fun-filled life through the course of the chapter. But, by the end of the chapter, it's time to have the absent parents sell the lead to One Direction, right? RIGHT?

In simpler words, invoke the sense of an impending change. It doesn't have to be crisp clear, or even straight to-the-point. Simply start the buildup where a few things appear different than any other normal day. A change, a twist that is about to make an appearance.

Avoid going to flashbacks or backstory just yet. Opening chapter is to give the feel to the reader and have them invested. Too much of information, too deep of the flashbacks may act otherwise. Character is not supposed to be flawless, they can have their triggers, icks, traumas ––that's absolutely okay. However, focus on establishing the characteristics, features, traits of the lead, rather than clarifying what exactly happened to make them this cold, or this sensitive.

It's not necessary to add the antagonist to the opening chapter. In fact, we would advise you to not do it at all! Let some unique ones to be the star of the book, they can twinkle later on as the plot progresses. Give enough space to the narrator for growth.

Last but definitely an important one. Avoid starting your chapter with an alarm clock, closely followed by your character getting up, going to gaze at themselves in the mirror, showing their empty eyes, hollow cheek, frail body. This opening has been done a lot of times, let's retire it now, okay? No harm in showing day-to-day life of the lead. Try different setups, variety of options are available.

Overall, an opening chapter pulls the reader in. It decided whether someone wishes to stick by and continue unraveling the plotline. Tell, but do not over explain. Show, but hold something back. Let the character be happy, but put them on edge that something might happen anytime! Normal world is awesome, but blend it with a sense of danger to raise the stakes. First chapter gives you a good headstart. Take some good time, get to know the character, the stakes, turning point, and start writing an opening.

Do not stress, though. Remember, progress is important, writing regularly and reaching that end goal is important. Editing and polishing can be done in a much better way once you've the first draft ready.

Feel free to drop questions related to writing the opening chapter in the comment section.

Daily Activity: It's time to start writing. You have picked a structure, you have even crafted the logline. Time to finally start writing and getting that idea into shape. Writers are free to write in offline mode, if that's what they wish to go for. However, posting first chapter is needed for the workshop, in order to receive feedback and peer review.

Write the opening chapter and publish it on Wattpad.

If you wish to continue posting and updating on Wattpad, that's even more than okay. Writing online or offline is entirely a writer's choice.

By now your mentors will have reached out to you, or will get in touch in some time. You can discuss and decide the mode via which you wish to receive personalized feedbacks.

Keep writing!