How to Write a Great Prologue or First Chapter
We all know the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Well, the same holds true for your writing. The prologue or first chapter of your story acts as the literary handshake, the grand entrance that sets the stage for the entire narrative. Here are some quick tips on how to make a great first impression by writing a great prologue or first chapter.
Start with a Bang
The beginning of your story should grab the reader’s attention and leave them wanting more. Here are some ways to make your opening unforgettable:
- Use strong imagery to set the scene and create a mood.
- Start with a shocking or unexpected statement.
- Open with a question or a cliffhanger.
- Introduce a fascinating character or setting.
- Begin in the middle of the action.
- Create a sense of urgency.
Establish the Stakes
In order to keep your readers invested in your story, they need to care about what happens to your characters. Here are some methods for creating high stakes early on:
- Introduce a problem or goal that your protagonist needs to achieve.
- Show the consequences of inaction or failure.
- Establish the consequences of success.
- Show what the character stands to lose.
- Create a ticking clock or deadline.
- Use subtext to hint at more significant stakes.
Write more, write better, and achieve your goals with Novlr!
Build Tension
Tension is the key ingredient that keeps your readers on the edge of their seats and turning pages. Here’s how to create it:
- Use foreshadowing to hint at what’s to come.
- Create a sense of unease or danger.
- Create conflict between characters.
- Use dialogue to build tension.
- Create a sense of mistrust or uncertainty.
- Use pacing and sentence structure to create a sense of urgency.
Develop Characters
Your readers will be invested in your story if they care about your characters. Here’s how to make them care:
- Give characters a unique voice and personality.
- Show their strengths and weaknesses.
- Make sure their motivations are clear.
- Give them a backstory and a history.
- Show, rather than tell, their traits.
- Create a character arc that shows growth or change.
Use Setting to Create Atmosphere
Setting can create a mood and a sense of atmosphere that will draw your readers in. Here’s how to use it:
- Use sensory details to create a vivid picture.
- Create a sense of place and time.
- Use symbolism to create a deeper meaning.
- Show how the setting affects the characters.
- Use the weather to create mood and atmosphere.
- Use the setting to foreshadow events to come.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to write a great prologue or first chapter that will keep your readers engaged and eager to continue reading. And don’t forget, your opening chapter or prologue doesn’t have to be the first thing you write! Feel free to play around with timelines and chapter order – you never know what surprises lie in store once you take a step back from your work and look at it as a whole.