5 Ways to Get Past Chapter 1

The publishing industry places a lot of emphasis on a novel’s first lines and chapter to hook the reader. However, over-emphasis on chapter one during drafting can stall the writing process and stifle creativity. Below are five ways to change your mindset and approach so you can get past the beginning and write your novel.

1. Accept that it will change over time

Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, when you type “the end,” a lot will have changed since you began writing your novel. During the editing process, you can evaluate whether it’s the right opening for the novel you ended up writing. You may need to rewrite parts, or all, of chapter one. Or you may decide to start your novel from a different place, especially if the beginning contains backstory that would be better conveyed woven throughout the novel. Coming to terms with this can help you move on.

2. Get Your Ideas Out and Move On

Perhaps you’re still discovering where your novel is headed, establishing your main character’s voice, or exploring which point of view will work best. In that case, don’t spend a lot of time crafting pristine prose. Get your ideas out on the page and move on. You can come back to it when you have more information to inform your choices

3. Give yourself permission to write out of order

 There’s no rule that a novel must be written in order. In fact, starting with a pivotal scene later in the novel will reveal valuable information about your main character, their motivation, and the tension it creates. You can learn more about this method in James Scott Bell’s book Write Your Novel from the Middle.

 4. Write scenes rather than chapters

Chapters guide the reader’s experience, but scenes are the heart of your novel. Scenes are smaller chunks to work with, and therefore, less intimidating. You may also have a clear vision for certain scenes that will inform your beginning. Later, you can arrange the scenes into chapters, add transitions, and ensure they entice readers to turn the page.

5. Get out of the self-editing loop

As you write, you may like to read over what you’ve written and make adjustments. But beware, this can lead to a self-editing loop—spending days, weeks, or even months on a single chapter—that stifles your flow and creativity. If you find yourself in a self-editing loop, get curious about why. Are you worried about getting it right? Is your inner critic too loud in your ear? Are you fearful of being judged? You may benefit from some mindfulness exercises or working with a writing coach to explore what’s holding you back so you can release it and move forward.