Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Check out Don't Skip my Prologue: How to write an opening that HOOKS! nicolewilbur.com/dont-skip-my-prologue.html

What if we were trying to sell The Hunger Games in 2026? Would the first chapter still hook readers? Still sell the story?

In this video, we go through a fun, crazy thought experiment to redesign the opening scene of the Hunger Games. We're not necessarily "fixing" it or making it better...just considering how you could bring out different elements in an opening and how many options there truly are for places to start.

00:00 Intro
01:47 A recap of the first chapter
03:09 Why this works so well
04:00 What might not work today
06:30 Brainstorming reworks: power, status, danger
11:27 Pleasure of touch
13:20 Show the stakes
15:50 A prologue of our own

I'm Nicole Wilbur, an author, writing mentor, and story theory nerd. I write about young adults breaking the rules, falling in love, and becoming versions of themselves they never expected. Pursuing traditional publishing and sharing the highs & lows!

🎥 V I D E O S F O R Y O U 🎥
My querying journey: youtu.be/vtH9ukSEMB4
How I got my Literary Agent: youtu.be/6AnfipxUACc
How I think about story structure: youtu.be/lGi7IhH6aoA
Should you take that writing course? youtu.be/jmpo7-Bg9rU

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Website | nicolewilbur.com
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