Crafting the Perfect Opening Chapter

When it comes to writing, nothing creates a first impression like the first pages of your book. There are multiple elements which should be carefully examined before assuming you will capture your readers' attention.

Does your opening sentence captivate?
Does the character you introduce bring your reader to want to know more about that character?
How well are your words distributed?
Does your vocabulary overwhelm or underwhelm?
Are your descriptions over-descriptive or under-descriptive?
Does your opening chapter leave the reader wanting to read the next one right away? (cliffhanger, etc.)

These are a few questions to ask yourself about every opening piece of each chapter. Especially the first and the last ones. Never oversell or undersell your abilities. Always write for a wide audience with varying vocabularies and reading prowess. (or at least try) Never begin all or even most of your sentences with the same words. This is because the page itself becomes dull to look at. Let alone to read.

Appreciate the curvature and flow of the words themselves and how the architecture of the page appears. Does it look like a child wrote it or does it coalesce with the rest of the movement of your words. Each question should be addressed and every detail looked at thoroughly.



Here is an example of a solid opening page...

                                                             Hard Summer Rain

                    "The deepest of passions run through the purest states of being."

Alexs’ mind was lit up by the veins of lightning travelling across the veil. Karina’s body was set ablaze by his passions which ran so deep for the storms’ awe that Karina’s heart was magnetically pulled to Alex’s proverbial ship of dreams. Her only defense was one so simple, yet so poignant, that he could but venture forth toward his own private destinations of feeling.

No matter how hard they both fought it; sooner or later their powderkeg would explode into an inferno of primal desire. Both were trying to do the right thing. They had rolled into the hotel, sideways and barely kicking. Now, only a few weeks had gone by and their dim light from the past had become a beacon of the now, so powerful and pure that their bodies sought shelter from each other.

 

In the confines of a small suite at a mid-scale hotel in the heart of Miami, Florida; the couple shared numerous heartfelt moments containing all range of emotions and of feelings.

The sky wore bleak, like an ominous call to the darkest of lands. Thunder rumbled across the mid-day skyline. Nothing but the cry of free spirits rolled through the density of the winding, sun scorched backdrop of clouds, reflecting all manner of forms. A whirlwind of gusty rain arrowed its way down from the heavens and pelted the soil with a voracious appetite.

The point gets across. Words are not minced. They describe vividly whats going. Who it involves, what they are feeling and what their intentions are. It sets the stage to keep reading. Great books keep this pace the entire book. Instead of trying to be perfect. Get your point across in a full book first. Then go back and re-write again and again until you are happy. Say what is going on and cover the main points. The rest will bubble forth after you get the frame written.

If you have any questions dont hesitate to ask me. Follow me on Twitter @chrisstormbooks and also at @reach_storm. Facebook.com/AuthorChristopherStorm