Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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How do you write a first chapter: the scene by which every potential agent, reader, editor etc. will judge our books? I'm sharing the checklist I used when I wrote the opening of my book!

See the article on it here: open.substack.com/pub/nicolewilbur/p/the-recipe-for-a-perfect-opening?r=1odtbd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Remember, as always, I’m not an expert, this advice is NOT prescriptive and you will find successful exceptions to ALL of it. This is just what I’ve learned and what’s worked for me :)

00:00 Intro
01:50 5 Ingredients for an effective opening scene
07:40 4 goals of a first chapter
12:26 Common mistakes in an opening


Books/Resources mentioned:
Story by Robert McKee
Story Genius by Lisa Cron
theshitaboutwriting.com
cecilialyra.com