𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘

what not to do

TIP NUMBER THREE
WHAT NOT TO DO

I contemplated whether to make a list of how to start off a story and what to put into it (with a few super cute metaphors because im organized like that) but I realized there's so much you can do with a first chapter. The first chapter can be the slowest or your most thrilling chapter but whichever it is, it's the most important. So, I thought it would be more beneficial to make a list of what NOT to put into a first chapter.

one. waking up
an obvious fanfic cliche (sorry anna todd) but honestly ... do not do this. it's rare that i even read a story that begins this way as i immediately click out of it, but this a huge read flag.

two. addressing the reader directly
this one, to me at least, seems very obvious. do not start you first chapter as;
Hi i'm Kelsey, if you're wondering how i ended up here then you should ask HIM. but im getting ahead of myself let's start from the beginning shall we ...
i'm stopping there because it hurt but you get the gist, do not do that.

three. hooks
obviously you've probably heard that you need to hook your readers in the first chapter ... which is true except they don't mean this;
There were many things in my life that weren't normal but I definitely did not expect my sister to be a vampire.
no, that's not what they mean. they (who is they?) don't begin your story as i have explained above ... with your character waking up, addressing the audience, etc. start with something simple but also introduces a character or two and sets up the story, it doesn't have to be jammed pack (see number five for more on that) but it's should give a bit of information here and there.

four. dialogue
im not saying you shouldn't have any dialogue in your first chapter at all, or even that this room doesn't have exceptions but i think dialogue should be used sparingly in the first chapter. there really aren't many characters established and it isn't that compelling to read
"hey allie," said jane, "how are you?"
jane smiles and hugged allie, who smiled back, "hi, i'm good. how are you?"
it's just udushwnsjjs, ya know? it's not completely off of the table, but it should be used minimally and appropriately.

five. jammed
no i should not know that your protagonists mother passed away when they were only four or that he broke his arm when he was five (unless your beginning your story like 'to kill a mockingbird' then pls ignore me) but it is suppose to build up. maybe they come home and see a picture and flinch as they remember the memories. drop subtle hints throughout the story. allow the reader to form their own guesses and theories.

six. opening with a dream
just ... don't. ( ok rereading this i've seen it done appropriately and very well aka "dreamboat" by w0nderwriter. but it was for the purpose of her story and if it is done it should make sense and be done properly )

there are probably a few more that could be added to this list but these are the main red flags. everything outside of these do nots are free to use. be creative! get inspiration from other stories, see how they began theirs! also comment things that you struggle with when writing (creating a character, making a slow burn, continuing the story, etc)

- lizzie