How To Write The First Chapter Of Your Novel

When you sit down to write the first chapter of your novel, you’re not just creating an introduction—you’re setting the stage for the entire story. In fact, when you write your novel, it’s so important to get the first opening chapter right because some literary agents will decide within 15 seconds into your book whether or not to publish it!

Ultimately, your first page, scene, and chapter must be compelling enough to grab the reader’s attention and encourage them to read your story. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential steps to write a first chapter that hooks readers from the first line. 

But I have to preface it with this – don’t expect to write an excellent first chapter immediately. If it took J.K Rowling 13 drafts to perfect her first chapter, ‘The Boy Who Lived’, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, then you can’t cut yourself some slack. Let’s get started!

1. Start with a Captivating First Sentence

You can have the greatest plot outline in the world but the opening sentence of your novel is your golden opportunity to hook readers instantly (or pick another book if you’re not careful – readers tend to be the unforgiving type).

‘First sentences are doors to worlds’, wrote Ursula Le Guin in her essay The Fisherwoman’s Daughter. So, think of it as the doorway into your story that readers are eager to walk through – it should raise questions, stir curiosity, or create a sense of urgency that compels readers to keep going.

Let’s examine two of my favourite books: George Orwell’s 1984 and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

It’s not suprising that 1984 is one of the most outstanding books of all time with an opening line like this: ‘It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.’

This sentence immediately unsettles the reader with its subtle but jarring twist, hinting at a world that’s familiar yet incredibly unsettling. Despite the spring light it has no warmth and how can a clock strike 13? Note how the word ‘strike’ also adds a sense of severity along with the ominous feeling created by the number thirteen. All of these elements immediately draw the reader into chapter one.

Similarly, in Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, the first line, ‘Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again’, instantly evokes a sense of mystery and nostalgia that draws readers into the main protagonist’s story.

Need some more inspiration? Here are some of the best opening lines across fiction novels:

• “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…”
  — A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• “Call me Ishmael.”
  — Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
• “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
  — Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
  — Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
• “You better not never tell nobody but God.”
  — The Color Purple by Alice Walker
• “Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.”
  — Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
• “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”
  — The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

When you write the first chapter, aim to engage your reader immediately. A gripping first chapter of a novel captures attention, sets the tone for the rest of the story, and makes the reader eager to discover what happens next – aka, you’ve earned their attention for the next scene in your novel. 

2. Introduce Action Early On

After hooking your readers with a great opening, it’s essential to keep the momentum going by introducing action early in the first scene.

The key here is to avoid getting bogged down in exposition or world-building. Instead, place your protagonist in a situation where something significant is happening—this engages readers and provides a natural way to introduce key elements of your story.

Take the opening of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The book begins with the description of the Dursleys, a status-conscious family with a strong dislike for anything unordinary. So, when wizards Professor McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore leave wizard orphan Harry Potter on the Dursleys’ doorstep, this immediately piques curiosity and pulls readers into Harry’s world.

By starting with action, you immerse readers in your story right from the beginning, giving them a reason to stay engaged. This approach introduces your protagonist in an active role and propels the plot forward, ensuring that the opening chapter sets a strong pace for the rest of the novel.

3. Avoid Heavy Scenery 

When you’re eager to introduce your world and characters, diving into detailed descriptions and backstories from the start is tempting.

However, in your first chapter, avoiding overwhelming your readers with too much information is crucial. Instead, focus on moving the plot forward. Save the detailed world-building for later chapters and let your readers discover the richness of your setting and backstory gradually.

Take The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, for example. The novel doesn’t start by explaining who Gatsby is or describing the Roaring Twenties in great detail.

Instead, it begins with a glimpse into Nick Carraway’s life, leaving readers curious about the mysterious Gatsby and the world he inhabits.

Keep this in mind and you’ll write a gripping first chapter that doesn’t bog down your readers in the nitty gritty so they can’t get past the first few pages (or even fall asleep!)

4. Introduce Characters Through Dialogue

Characters are the lifeblood of your novel. When we think of what makes a great story, it’s not the intricate plot details or scenic landscapes but the Mr Darcys, Frodo Baggins’ and Harry Potters of the world.

So it’s critical to introduce them in a memorable way that sets up the rest of the book and to not to reveal too much too quickly—you’ve got the entire novel for that.

Rather than launching into lengthy descriptions, reveal your characters through their actions and interactions. Remember that pesky ‘show, don’t tell’ technique?

Dialogue is a powerful tool for this. It not only provides insight into your characters’ personalities but also helps establish relationships and conflicts.

In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Mr. Darcy’s first line of dialogue reveals many of his character traits. At the Meryton Ball, Elizabeth overhears Mr Darcy sneer at Mr Bingley’s suggestion that he dance with Elizabeth. 

‘“Which do you mean?” and turning round, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.”’

Darcy’s superiority, pride, rude manners, and haughty attitude are all demonstrated here and leave a lasting negative impression on Elizabeth. 

Dialogue allows readers to experience the characters in action, making them feel more immediate and real. 

5. Add A Page Turning Hook

You’ve written an opening so powerful that your reader is hooked for the entire chapter. Great! But how do you continue to keep your audience invested for the second or third chapter? Your closing line.

Just as your opening line needs to grab attention, the ending of your first chapter should leave readers eager to continue.

Whether it’s a cliffhanger, a surprising revelation, or an unanswered question, the end of the chapter should create a sense of anticipation and naturally lead into the second chapter. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing a fantasy novel or historical fiction tale, the same principle applies. 

In The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the first chapter ends with the reveal of District Twelve’s female tribute that must compete in a deadly competition. Katniss Everdeen watches Effie Trinket as she announces the name: 

‘Effie Trinket crosses back to the podium, smoothes the slip of paper, and reads out the name in a clear voice. And it’s not me. 

It’s Primrose Everdeen.’

The revelation that Katniss’s younger sister has been named as tribute is a shocking moment that compels the reader to find out what happens next. It’s a great example of how to get your reader to keep turning the page.

There’s nothing worse than earning your reader’s attention to then just throw it away, so don’t forget this crucial element! This closing hook is crucial for pulling readers deeper into your story, ensuring they move onto the next chapter with excitement and curiosity.

6. Common First Chapter Mistakes to Avoid

Once you’ve written your first draft, look over this list to ensure your chapter doesn’t include these common errors:

• Overloading with backstory: Resist the urge to explain everything upfront so you alow your world and characters to unfold naturally. In fact, many writers suggest to delete the first few pages of a story because writers typically fill it with fluff. This is called ‘clearing your throat before making a speech’, so make sure your story hits the ground running. 
• Introducing too many characters at once: Focus on one or two key characters in the first chapter to avoid confusing the reader. Many of us struggle to recall a colleague or friend’s name at times so how can we expect our readers to remember as many names as the Von Trapp family? Forget it!
• Lack of tension: Ensure there’s enough conflict or mystery to keep readers invested. The inciting incident (the event that starts the conflict) or first hint of it should appear early on. Ask yourself this question – if you opened a novel and read your first pages, would you be compelled to keep reading?

7. First Chapter Checklist

Want to ensure that your reader doesn’t close your book before they are more than a few pages in? Use this checklist to ensure your first chapter is as strong as it can be:

• Engaging first line: Does your first sentence grab attention?
• Compelling characters: Are your main characters introduced in a way that makes them intriguing and?
• Clear inciting incident: Have you hinted at or introduced the event that will drive your story forward?
• Smooth flow: Does your chapter flow naturally, without disjointed scene breaks or abrupt transitions?
• Consistent tone and POV: Is your narrative voice clear and consistent, whether in first person, third person, or another POV?
• Effective hook at the end: Does your chapter end with a hook that leaves readers eager to turn the page?

Make Your First Chapter Unforgettable 

You only get one chance to hook your readers into your story, so don’t waste it! Every first chapter is your opportunity to make a lasting impression.

Not only does the first chapter give readers a glimpse of the plot, but it also gives them a taste of your writing style. It sets the tone for the entire novel, inviting readers to connect with your characters and become invested in the story you’re telling.

Now you know how to write the first chapter of your novel, I’m sure that yours will be a page-turner! Remember, when people read your book, the journey begins with those first few pages—make sure it’s a journey your readers won’t want to end.