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kimmy
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 Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:09 am Post subject: writing the first chapter is the hardest...help? |
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| i always find the first chapter that hardest in my writings....they always come out so corny and feel wrong...what can i do to change my starting story habits? |
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OverEasy
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:14 am Post subject: |
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First of all, you can capitalize your I's  .
When writing a first chapter I find it best to write down everything in my mind, then go back and edit and expand later. I don't worry about my punctuation, my spelling, my grammar, I just write it all down. After that I go back through and edit it and fix everything to my liking.
That's what I do anyways, but there are many methods. I personally cannot stand using outlines when writing. And I tend to write rather sparatically. I don't always start with the first chapter in a story (hence why it sometimes takes me forever to post things on here). Sometimes I start in the end or the middle to get a feel for the characters, then work my way back to the beginning. (I am sure that sounds odd).
Good Luck!
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ambercoultis
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:28 am Post subject: |
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I tend to start the first ch. and then skip chapters I can't do because I don't have the info for them but then I get stuck on those.
I'd say to have a friend help edit it ar give you pointers on what to change before you post it. Me? I usually just post my work and prepare for the harsh critic. It helps me build self esteem. |
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Suzanne
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:33 am Post subject: |
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The first thing you can do is ignore it!
Honestly! Just write your first chapter, and keep going. Only with some projects can I manage to edit the beginning and still continue cleanly. It's better to forget your beginning, and keep going, than spend forever trying to perfect it, and get no where at all. Especially with novels, when work count and length are your goal in the first draft. This might not work for you, but it does for me, and a lot of other people. Shut off your inner editor, as best as you can. ^_^ |
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thunder_dude7
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:59 am Post subject: |
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The first chapter is rather hard, and the first sentence...ugh.
My advice would be to try and introduce the basic characters quickly. If you read the short story "Wine on the Desert", you will find that both characters--even the one that isn't there at the time--are introduced within the first paragraph.
Starting out with dialouge can be good too. Just state who's speaking, who they're speaking to, and try and get across a character trait or some basic information. If you read the first chapter of my story, Betrayed and Plagued, notice that that one line introduced both main characters, the fact that Allyson was Daniel's older sister, and some of their personalities. |
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Angel of Death
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 11:24 am Post subject: |
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I agree that writing a first chapter is hard. So what I do is take a look at the setting around me...is the sky raining sorrow or is it shining a yellow smile of rebirth...then I take a look at the people around me...its good to be in a remote place for this part...her hair is as red as the sunset that sets the sky ablaze...his eyes or as green as the ocean's tears...after you get the descriptions down build on the characters and form the plot. Ask questions about the character, if you have to base them off people you know or experiences you've had then sort of round the characters off to make them your own. Once the characters have a character, the setting should come alive to them. Pretend like your characters are real, then make the conflict or figure out what you want this story to be about. When you have all this stuff crammed together, I promise you'll have a first chapter in no time. Also, if it helps write an intro and make outlines.
Hope I helped,
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JFW1415
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Simple: word wars!
Find a friend (I'm always available) and write for a set amount of time (usually 15 minutes.) Then compare word counts.
You can also play with yourself, trying to beat your old score. It helps you get the words down, since your racing.
Don't worry about editing - you can take years to edit, but if you wait too long to write, what will you have acomplished?
Good luck!
~JFW1415 |
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Audy
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 2:07 am Post subject: |
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I tend to imagine the first chapter like an opening scene in a movie playing in my head. I'm a real visual person, so the words usually come easy to me.
Sometimes it helps to begin with dialogue or begin in an action scene for your first chapter. Instead of doing an introductory thing, you know? Just drop your readers straight into your story and continue from there.
Anyway, good luck on your story! Always persevere =) |
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Valnaria
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 4:02 am Post subject: |
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| Well, when I write the first chapter I try to introduce the main character, but not so openly, a bit more wide spread as if just tinkling a few details about her in spots that seem appropriate. I also like to add a little of the conflict at the end of the chapter, because I think the conflict should be introduce outright in the second or third chapter. I hope this helps. |
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Church
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 4:06 am Post subject: |
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| I suggest info on the setting should come up first. Then a little iece of the plot to draw in a reader then start the fisrt action sequence with character/s. It works for me. |
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Iya Ythmir
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:42 am Post subject: |
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You shouldn't be too hard on yourself about it. Write what you want, just to have a gist of your characters or the setting, or the overall mood of the story. Let the words flow from you. You can edit everything later. It's just a first draft, right? Have fun. Then, once you've written a lot, try to organize everything, edit the grammatical mistakes.
That's what I do and I hope that it would help. Good luck on your first chapter!  |
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Jellybee
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| Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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The first chapter is always the worse, I think. I don't know why, but it seems to be the case for everyone ^^. When I'm writing such long text that may- I say may 'cause there are always the possibility that it doesn't work- become a novel, I drop the first chapter. I wrote it, but I just delete it after my 3 first chapters.
When I finish all the redaction, I can add a first chapter, but it's purely psychological. I mean, mostly all the books I ever read begin to be interesting at the second chapter- if no, they stay boring and lame until the end.
Don't stress about your first chapter, because nothing is perfect, even less the first chapters,lol. |
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TheWordsmith
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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You really want advice? Well, here goes.
First, if you know the plot, write it down. I never do, but I've heard that it works.
Second, the blank page is the best and worst thing for an author. So start writing, even if it is junk. Once you get the first word down, then the rest might come easier. It does for me!
Third, read some books on writing. They honestly help. Maybe not right away, but eventually you will come to appreciate them. Or some of them, anyway.
Hope that helps! |
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Frangipani
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| Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: |
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| What I do is start from somewhere in the middle, or wherever you are inspired to write, and work backwards. Writing the first chapter last is a good idea, because you know your characters better and you can add in clues and hints as to what is to come. |
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