There’s no denying it—an extraordinary start is essential to your novel's success. This means your first chapter must captivate your reader. At the same time, it must launch your novel. To preview, this twin goal means setting up your novel in three ways: the founding of characters and world, establishing the ongoing conflict and theme, and presenting an inciting incident that propels subsequent events. You'll know you've succeeded at captivating your reader when putting your book back on the shelf, not clicking purchase, or—for an agent/publisher—passing on your query doesn't even cross their mind. In short, you want them desperate to keep reading. It's a lofty goal but within your reach, provided you know what components a winning first chapter requires.

After reading hundreds of first chapters through Bardsy's anthology contests and working with our members, we've found that great first chapters have three commonalities. First, they introduce the reader to a relatable character and establish an inviting story world. Next, they set up a clear conflict tied to a powerful theme, one that resonates with the reader. Finally, they center on an inciting incident that propels the story's events and gives the reader an idea of where the story is going (as well as confirming the genre). Let's detail each, so you'll know exactly what you need.

A first chapter is only as intriguing as its protagonist. Good, bad, or somewhere in the middle, compelling characters have one thing in common: they're authentic. However, authenticity is just a prerequisite. Focus on making your character "investible." Either through their identity, situation, or both, you have to win the reader's attention. The goal is to inspire extreme empathy—literally having your reader step into your protagonist's mind—and allowing them to experience your writing as if they were your character. Remember, the opportunity to live vicariously through the main character is the primary reason reading fiction is so enjoyable and important to people. Don't bore the reader with details, like too much backstory. Instead, figure out what's crucial to the character reader link, then make the introduction. If you do your job, readers will instinctively seek to relate to them and invest in your novel.

Next, the authentic, investable character has to be situated fully actualized. Again, don't overuse detail. Convey the critical features of your world—social hierarchies, weather patterns, commerce systems, for example—and leave the rest for later. Whether your story takes place in this galaxy or one far, far away doesn't matter as much as creating a world that the reader can imagine and detail on their own. In other words, you paint the big picture and leave the rest to the reader. Worldbuilding is a balancing act; successful authors learn how to appropriately portion out information, giving readers enough to ground them, but not so much that they become bored or confused. In your first chapter, readers need only enough information to find their footing. At the same time, that starting point has to be enticing enough for the reader to develop an interest. Focus on organically introducing your story world. Ensure each new factoid builds upon previous pieces of information—the most important being introduced first.

No conflict = no story— it's that simple. Your first chapter must challenge your protagonist. This challenge must be one that forces change—eventually snowballing into something fundamental. The conflict sets the story's stakes, giving readers another reason to invest in your protagonist's plight. It also has to organize the rest of your novel, so pick one with growth potential. When choosing your conflict, you also must factor your genre into the decision. A conflict that sets up a strong story in one genre may not be as effective in another. For some readers, a bad date is worse than a serial killer or a destroyed planet. Align the conflict with genre—and reader—expectations, and readers will find your story satisfying. Fail to choose an appropriate or significant conflict, and you risk disappointing them.

As you determine your story’s conflict, you must also consider your story’s theme—the message you want the reader to take away. It could be that love conquers all or the importance of recycling, but in order for your story to be cohesive, the theme and conflict must be intertwined. During the first chapter, you'll want to present your story's theme and—the same way you introduced your story world—build upon chapter one's foundation with each subsequent chapter. Themes make stories a richer reading experience, providing depth that resonates with readers, assuming you aren’t heavy-handed when executing them.

The inciting incident is an event that sets the protagonist's story into motion. It can be big or small; what's important is that it represents a clear shift in the status quo. By placing your inciting incident in the first chapter, you create momentum in your story, sweeping up the reader and bringing them along on your protagonist's journey. As you work on your first chapter, remember that the strongest inciting incidents are active, meaning your protagonist has agency. Things don't happen to great protagonists; they make choices that make things—good and bad—happen. Events where the protagonist makes a choice that sets them down a new, potentially life-altering course provide the most propulsion. Meanwhile, they actively demonstrate your main character's motivation and reinforce their introduction.

Here's a bonus point: no matter how well you think you've done, only the reader's opinion counts. There’s just one way to know if your first chapter ticks all the necessary boxes, and it requires enlisting a friend, family member, or acquaintance. As the story's creator, you'll never be able to view it with new eyes, so an outsider's perspective is absolutely necessary—provided you collect it appropriately.

Have a volunteer read and retell your first chapter. Watch them while they read it and evaluate their facial expressions, looking for signs of confusion. Once they've finished, ask them to re-tell it to you. Note what areas they place emphasis on and which are forgotten. You'll also want to ask them where the story is going and what genre they think it is. Any other questions you ask should be open-ended, such as, "What is the protagonist like?" "What did you learn about the story world?" If your reader can enthusiastically retell the story, including the essential information about your protagonist, story world, conflict, and theme as well as identify the genre, you’ll know you have a solid first chapter. If they can’t, then you’ll know which areas need finessing. Above all, remember that this is a test for you, not the reader, so take care not to lead their answers.

In sum, your first chapter makes or breaks your novel. In fact, it’s so crucial to your novel’s success that we even have a virtual workshop on the topic: Love From the First Line: Writing a First Chapter Readers Can't Resist. This 90-minute workshop teaches you how to structure a first chapter that leaves readers eager for more and avoid common pitfalls that make readers close books.

Check with us about our next first chapter workshop. Spaces are limited, so purchase your spot today! Note: if you aren't a Bardsy member, you'll need to create a guest account. Contact live support at (213) 465-0885 if you need assistance.