Why You Should You Cut Your First Chapter.
I know it’s daunting but trust me.
It takes a while to get into voice and tone. It’s like running before the endorphins hit. You have to write yourself and your characters into realization through crafting; that’s a multifaced exchange. This takes training. I’m sure you’ve been in a conversation that’s rambled on and on until the interaction reaches its actual point. The point of your story is where you want it to begin, even if your writing is beautifully constructed, especially if your writing is beautifully constructed! You need to get to the point if you want to snag attention. I learned this the hard way. I admit I’m in love with words and making sentences that are rhythmically and linguistically pleasing, which is not the best way to build a big audience. However, the fans I’ve accrued are dedicated and love my work, and I am grateful for this daily. So, I don’t regret writing wordier, more poetic books. I love them, and they fulfil something deep and meaningful inside of me, which is the sole reason I write. But I’m guessing that most of you reading this blog want to be widely read, signed by an agent, and a publisher. So, remember this – relish on the dog, not as a replacement! A straightforward way to do this is to begin reading from your second or third chapter. Ask yourself if you are inside the point? Do you know what the point is? What is the summary of what you want to say? Who informs that story? Who informs that character? What does that character bring to the point of the story? If you can’t answer these questions, you need to stop and rethink what you are writing, for whom, and why. Make sure your reasons match your method.
Wishing you luck and love,
Gret Heffernan
Gret Heffernan is the Editor-in-Chief of Backlash Press and author of The Sculptor and Dark Ansley, Book One and Two.
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