Topics explored in the video
0:00 Where in the world to start your book?
0:27 The original chapter one of my book In Your Dreams + feedback
0:52 Inspiring feedback on the original chapter one
1:30 Key differences between the original and the new chapter one
2:36 The new chapter one of In Your Dreams + feedback
3:00 Tips for chapter one of your story
Below is a summary of writing tips explored in the video.
Writing tips: Where to start your story
Start your story with a moment that means something to your characters and that connects to the main themes of the rest of the book and your characters’ journeys
Start your story with a scene that’s interesting to your readers. Your characters have their own a journey and your readers are on a reading journey too; it needs to be interesting for them too (or they may not keep reading)
Consider dropping clues to or establishing what the main characters’ individual problems are (that tie into their character arc) that permeate throughout the rest of the book
Also: try to find a balance between making things mysterious and intriguing vs. not confusing or overwhelmingly vague
Decision-making process behind changes to chapter 1 of In Your Dreams
It can be so difficult to decide whether your story begins at the right part, and which parts stay or leave. How do you know that line you really like “has” to go, or whether that part you love is working?
There is no easy answer, so I’m hoping that sharing why I made the following changes to chapter one of In Your Dreams helps you with your story.
How much information to reveal
Original: We know Chris has a secret problem but we don’t know what his secret is
New: We know what Chris’ secret problem is but we don’t know why his secret is happening or how to solve it
Why:
I thought that not knowing what Chris’ secret is would create a mystery that intrigues the reader, but an editor I trust noted that having Jessie and Chris discuss his secret for multiple chapters without revealing what it is could actually annoy readers and create disconnect
Revealing his secret in chapter one can help engage the reader, and still create intrigue since awake Jessie doesn’t remember the secret, plus chapter one reveals other secret-related mysteries
Setting
Original: Jessie and Chris are sitting and talking about Chris’ secret problem
New: Chris experiences his secret problem that he and Jessie then start talking about
Why:
I thought that discussing that Chris has a dangerous secret could create a lot of interest, but then I got feedback that it might not seem as dramatic as I think. This feedback resonated with me
I also got an idea for a new way to start the book, and getting that feedback inspired me to choose that idea
I kept a lot of the same lines that I love, but wove them into a setting that has more action and does more showing than telling, which seems more effective
The new chapter one begins at a moment that is more meaningful to the main characters and to the story, and is more interesting for readers.
Most of the original conversation and copy carried over to the new chapter one or other parts of the book
Video caption: A short video with tips to help you decide where to start your story. PS. It seems I play with my hair a lot.
Dear readers, this is new! As I edit In Your Dreams, I’ve really wanted to get some of my writing learnings out to fellow writers in the form of a writing workshop. Since Substack coincidentally launched a video recording tool some time after (thank you, Substack!), I got the idea to record short writing workshop videos with a written summary of tips to hopefully share this information in a way that is especially useful and convenient for writers/creatives. I’m designing these writing workshops (video + text) to make it as easy as possible for you to fit learning about writing alongside your actual writing.
You’re welcome to share your feedback below on whether this format (short videos with written notes) could be useful to you, or to seek feedback from the writing community regarding a first chapter that you’re working on too.
I really hope that sharing these tips from my experience with chapter one of In Your Dreams helps you with your writing too!
Wishing you well!
Where to read In Your Dreams
If you’d like to read my YA science-fiction novel In Your Dreams or consult chapter one for examples, I’m publishing it chapter-by-chapter on Wattpad.
A teenage girl meets a boy she's been dreaming about for as long as she can remember, but if she doesn't figure out how his dangerous secret ties into their connection, she could lose him forever.
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