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We all know the importance of the first chapter. Of the first line. This is what draws your readers in, and even if they're going to fall off a 900 meter cliff you need to make sure they do not drop the book! Or in this case, computer, or even phone. What I do is I read the first paragraph of the piece, and skim along the pages. If it's boring? I put it down and move on. I bet literary agents are doing the same thing. If the first pages are good, (or in this case, first "part" or even chapter) then your reader will assume the rest of the story is good. But if they aren't, who's to say the rest of the story won't be the same way?
In the first paragraph, do not have an "info dump"!!!! Just pilling all these back-stories and info straight from the beginning will bore your reader. Even if your character is living in some magical enchanting place where they can only do this and that and so on, do not tell them straight from the beginning! Tons of people do this and being serious, I can not stand to read it. Instead, deposit this information over time, throughout dialogue, flashbacks, and back-stories. Little things like temperature, the season, and where your character is living. Provide key information but don't give it away too quickly. This is keeping in mind that you should have your story idea before you start . No clue? Well start here. Is it character vs character? An emotional drama between one's inner self and problems? Or is it character vs nature? Trapped in a blizzard? A world only made up of water? Or, could it be character vs character? An action where there are two sides to the battle? You should also have a main character, and if you don't have one try Seventh Sanctum; it generates characters for you.

If you have all this down, let's go on to what you should have in your first paragraph. This is where you should introduce your character, preferably doing an action. Begin with something interesting, not necessarily the main conflict, but important to the rest of the story. You should also make sure not to go about their description right away. Do you know what most people do? Their character wakes up, maybe to an alarm clock or someone yelling. Then they head on over to the mirror and we get a description. DO NOT DO THIS. Everyone does it. Do something creative.



It never took this long. Darkness had already begun to creep in the small town casting menacing shadows behind every turn. Jenna wasn't too worried, but as the seconds ticked by, she could not contain her growing fear. Seriously, where was he? The trade was supposed to be made a while ago. Finally, a figure appeared and Jenna gave a sigh of relief. The lack of light was starting to give her chills.

"Where were you?" She said, flicking a lock of chestnut brown hair out of her face.



That was a quick example of what I think a "First Chapter" paragraph should be like. The first sentence draws you in, and even though the fact that she's waiting in dark isn't original, it's quite suspenseful, perfect for the mood I'm trying to set. You need to set the tone for the rest of the novel. I also introduced my main character, right in the second sentence. And please, do not bombard us with too many characters with once. Really, you should have about 4 main characters, and a few side characters. You're limit for characters is 14. Too many and your reader get's confused. You can also introduce more over time. And please, do not just randomly have a character say 4 sentences and then never have him speak again. You really can't do that. For all I care, make him die in a train wreck! Just don't have them in and then out again, just like that.

Now, going back to the passage, the third sentence also gives a hint at my character's inner thoughts, which makes the story a little more interesting to read. Also note that I did not give her description straight up. I slipped it in the dialogue (chestnut brown hair). Remember, a great deal of energy should be placed in the first paragraph, the place where readers decide to stay or go.

The next thing you need to do is present the problem. Wait what? Are you kidding? It's the first chapter! But no, I'm not kidding. You need to have your problem straight in the first chapter. It could even be at the end of the chapter, and leave your readers on a cliff hanger (like in the Hunger Games!). This problem is a dilemma that the character has to overcome, and may lead to several other complications, or smaller problems that come off of the conflict.

One of the other things you could do in the first chapter is hint at a back-story. This is basically telling us why your character is the way he/she is. It gives us an inner look into our character that provides a deeper connection. It also serves as the platform in which your story can progress forward.

Do not open up with a back-story! This will often bore your readers. The Hunger Games did not open with a back-story. Neither did another famous book, Divergent. Nope. Legend didn't, Matched didn't, and I don't even think Maximum Ride opened on a back-story. I repeat, do not open on a back-story!!! Give us 1 or 2 pages of info, or you could even write a short back-story if it flows. (If not, save it for later.)

Another important thing to do is to write in an active voice. This is what's grabbing your reader's interest and keeping them reading the book, page from page (or on DA, chapter from chapter). Don't preserve your voice for dialogue! You can keep your active voice while writing! Do you still not know what I mean?



Erica awakes slowly, startled by traces of dreams she could not remember. In a daze she ungracefully stumbles to her feet, throwing off her scratchy but familiar comforter. Eye's half open, she makes her way to the bedroom door, yawning in the process.



I, of course, have a completely different writing style than you, who is reading this. You should have your own voice to your chapter(s). And please, whatever you do, do not do what you're about to read.



  Emory winced as thunder crackled overhead. "I can not believe it is storming already. Do you think we should return to the house?"



I mean seriously, who talks like that? Most modern day people use contractions. No one actually says "Can not". I've also seen people put "Alright" into dialogue, and no one really says "Alright." People say "Yeah." That's modern. No one wants to read something stiff. You could even give your character an accent if you wanted.

One of the things that most people don't think much of when they're writing is, is proper grammar and correct spelling. Especially when you're writing a first chapter. Proper grammar makes the story smooth, easy to read. And who really want's to read something that looks like it's written by 6 year old? We have spell check! Use it! The best books out there are engaging but yet well written. If you're going to walk up to a literary agent you need to have you're story look professional. I understand that most people will just HATE to go back and re-read through their works, but hey, it's worth it. I, myself, really won't go back and edit something unless I feel the need to. But you should. Even ask someone on DA to be your "editor" or Beta of sort. The best thing to do is get 2 people you know (or are friends with, or just you trust) and let them read it, and edit mistakes of spelling, grammar, and all the things us writer's do not like to fix.

Another thing that passes by us writer's are writing in the correct tense. Read this passage and see if something sounds off.



David sighed knowing the answer. Ms. Marie looked expectantly at him, but not receiving a reply she turns away with disapproval.

"Look-" David starts. He sighs deeply and then walked towards her.

Do you know how many times I switched tenses? Around 3 or 4. In around 3 or 4 sentences. No. Just no, you cannot do that. It get's way too confusing to read and is most certainly not professional. This doesn't just go for first chapters, this is in all chapters. I like to write in past tense, just because I believe it's easier for me. Some people write in present, but then they switch to past. No, it's one or the other unless you're switching from 1987 to 2012, and that's the way your story works. Or telling a back-story, or having a flashback of some sort. Most people don't even realize they had switched tenses until they re-read their stories.

Something else I went over a little earlier was establish the setting. Remember, no info dumps. You want to show us your land over time. You want to paint the picture in which you are trying to imagine for your reader. Vivid detail is important, but don't overload us. I know, this may be hard. Too much detail? Too little? This would be good for asking a friend to read over what you've written to tell you what's right. I believe that no one can really critique themselves, but really, everyone has different opinions on things. You can't please everyone.

A tip that will help you in writing in general would be too write smoothly; try to not use the same word in every sentence. Do you know what I mean by that? Read below.

The kite flew into the sky, flashing it's red tail along the way. The kite was a grand work of art; small and fragile but yet colorful in a way that attracts eyes to the kite. At the sight of the kite, Paloma could not resist to run below it, and watch it with gleeful eyes.

That sounded absolutely terrible. I used the word "kite" 4 times. In 3 sentences. Okay, no one really wants to read this. The words have to glide lightly and smooth in our reader's mind so they don't even have to stop and think. It has to sound good. Wait, you don't know if this sentence flows smoothly or not? Read it out loud. This will help a LOT, and your writing should almost have a beat.



  The kite flew into the sky, flashing it's red tail along the way. The paper object was a grand work of art; small and fragile but yet colorful in a way that attracts eyes to it's surface. At the sight of the it, Paloma could not resist to run below it, and watch the kite with gleeful eyes.

Now, this sounds a little better, don't you agree? It flows smoothly. The best way to make this NOT HAPPEN is replace the word you're using with synonyms. Synonyms are words that have a similar meaning. Colorful, bright. Chilly, cold. This might be a little bit harder with nouns, but using words like "the object" or even "it" if needed can improve sentences a lot.

The last thing I'm going to say is be realistic. I understand if you're writing a fantasy novel about demons and elves that this is quite hard to do. But, you don't have to go that far with it. I'm saying, if all of the sudden you met this guy who is on a journey to find some secret diamond or map or something, would you really go with him the instant he tells you? No. This makes your story sound cheesy to some degree, and no one wants to read cheese without crackers.

Another example, besides the sudden "Okay, you're cool, let's go on an adventure!" is the no-shock writing. So, let's say you're wondering along the streets of your house, enjoying a bright summer day. And suddenly, bam, there is a guy moaning in an alleyway with a bullet in his arm. And then you suggest you take him back to your house. No. That wouldn't really happen, and even if you desperately need your character to take this guy into their home, make them show some emotion! Confusion, shock, SOMETHING. Try to think of what you would do if you were put into a situation like this. I would be freaking out. Asking questions left and right. There is an easy way to take out the corniness in stories. Most of the times when people do this it makes your story sound like it was written by someone 4 years younger than you. Even if it's like Alice in Wonderland and your main guy somehow ends up in the land of angels and demons, let them show shock. Be real about it. They wouldn't just be like, "Cool. Great." Think of what someone would actually do.

Most writer's worry about if their piece has little detail or too much, or if even the slightest change of a sentence can effect the whole plot. And really, it can. First chapter's aren't as easy as they look. You want to draw your reader in, give them info, but not an info overload. Remember, this is what's decided weather your reader should click on your deviation, or skip to the next. Hopefully, these tips will provide enough information to help you make a killer first chapter. The most important thing to do though is to be creative and have fun with it.