Jon Samsel

In previous blog posts I have written about the importance of solid book openings. I hope you already realize the importance of the book titles, opening sentence, and opening paragraph. The first chapter is just as critical. This is your grand opening that sets the style, theme and tone of your book. The spotlight is on your beginning sentences, but the reader’s attention is focused on what you have to say through the entire chapter.
 
In the case of novels, the first few paragraphs may well determine whether your book sells. Many a prospective book buyer will read the first page before making a decision to buy or not.
 
So the opening paragraph should be strong enough to grab the reader’s attention and say, “Hey, there, you with the bloodshot eyes. Buy me. I’m good reading. You won’t be able to put me down.”
 
Prospective nonfiction-book buyers may read half or more of the first chapter before deciding whether or not to buy. This is especially true if the opening chapter is fairly short.
 
So the first chapter often influences a buying decision. Don’t underestimate its pulling power. It also establishes the purpose of your book.
 
If sent with an outline to an editor, your first chapter can mean the difference between the sale of your work or its prompt return to you. No wonder many authors rewrite their first chapters several times. They know it’s that important.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 13th, 2009 at 9:38 am and is filed under Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.