5 Common First Chapter Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

I have heard it said that the first line prompts the reader to read the first paragraph; the first paragraph prompts the reader to read the first chapter; the first chapter compels the reader to read the entire book.

Whether you agree with that or not, I think everyone can agree that first chapters are important. They can also be difficult to get right. Below is a list of five common cliches and pitfalls, plus how to avoid or fix them.

And, as a bonus, I'll try to include exceptions for each one.

Cliche: Your Character Starts the Chapter by Waking Up

Problem: It's often boring.

Waking up may seem like a natural start to a story, but it's usually a drag.

Solution: There are a thousand ways to fix this. One way is to start with a disruption to your character's routine.

So if you insist on starting with your character waking up, they better be torn from their sleep by a scream in the night or something equally thrilling.

Exception: Kafka's Metamorphosis opens with the main character waking up...as a giant insect. Talk about a disruption to your routine.

Pitfall: Starting Your Story Too Early

Problem: Your reader will lose interest.

This can go hand-in-hand with the "waking up" cliche. Writers often need to establish the "normal" before introducing the disruption; doing so gives context to the disruption.

However, that doesn't mean you have to spend an entire first chapter showing your protagonist's routine.

Solution: In media res is when a story begins in the middle of the action, and it's a great way to capture the audience's attention.

Mind you, it's not the only way to start—flashbacks can make for an interesting opening—but you want your story to start as close to the inciting incident as possible.

Exception: There is no exception to this rule. Don't start your story too early.

Cliche: Your Character Describes Themself by Looking in a Mirror

Problem: It's unoriginal. Also, how often do you really stop and inspect yourself in the mirror like that?

Solution: Find more organic ways to describe your characters. You don't need to talk about all their physical descriptions at once. And don't say "I'm very tall" when you can write "I had to duck my head not to hit the doorframe."

Exception: Divergent has its issues, but Veronica Roth created a good pretense for the main character to look in the mirror: she's only allowed to once a year. It's a world-building detail.

Pitfall: Introducing Too Many Characters At Once

Problem: Hard for the reader to keep track; may frustrate readers

This was something I grappled with in my manuscript. In the earliest draft, I introduced the four main characters at the same time. Slightly later drafts added three other character introductions in the first chapter.

Seven new characters, all introduced in the first chapter, some introduced at the same time—it's too much. It overwhelms readers.

Solution: Split Your Character Introductions

I rearranged my first two chapters and split my character introductions between them.

Exception: The Hobbit introduces 13 dwarves back-to-back-to-back. It is meant to be overwhelming, but it's also done in a really cute and clever way.

Pitfall: Lack of Conflict or Direction

Problem: Leaves your reader wondering, "Where is this going and why should I care?"

This is a side effect of starting your story too early and relying on setting up the normal routine.

Solution: Introduce at least a small conflict or question in the first chapter that makes readers curious about what happens next.

Exception: Again, no exception comes to mind. It's pretty vital to give your reader a reason to care!

What do you think? Are there other first-chapter cliches and pitfalls that come to mind? Or can you think of other exceptions to these rules?