The Hardest Chapter
I didn't really know how to start this particular chapter, but I can tell you how I feel about beginnings. Beginnings are great. They're the clean slate that society always hopes for. They allow people the make the first impression that they would like to make without ever really knowing if they're getting the point across. People can just assume that they've done well or horrible based on feedback or their own emotions. I guess that's what you can a say first chapter is. It's something that the author would like to say without ever fully knowing if their audience got the point. Sure, a person can tell you they love the first chapter of your book while you, the author, may believe that it's a piece of... well, you know. On the other hand, the author may feel passionately about the magnificence of a well written beginning, while the audience is full of disgust and disappointment. It all depends.
Beginnings are great for another reason. They give off fabulous false impressions. Just imagine meeting that ideal mate. Seriously, close your eyes and picture the perfect man or woman. Now, imagine that person speaking in a horrendously sounding voice. Maybe, the voice is super high pitched or even eerily deep. Either way, the voice sounds terrible. At first you say, "No one is perfect," and try to overlook this flaw. However, as time passes, you realize that this is not an easy flaw to overlook. The voice become grating and disturbs every fiber of your being. Thus, that voice is the one thing that's keeping you from being "in love" with this person and part ways. A book is no different. Sure the first chapter is great and really hooks you. As the story continues, there may be snags in the plot and a major lack of character development and they're annoying. You stop reading because it's just that bad.
With that written, now you see my dilemma. How can I draw you into my world without pushing you away? I don't know. I guess I can only hope to appeal to you in such a way that you'd want to read.
Beginnings are great for another reason. They give off fabulous false impressions. Just imagine meeting that ideal mate. Seriously, close your eyes and picture the perfect man or woman. Now, imagine that person speaking in a horrendously sounding voice. Maybe, the voice is super high pitched or even eerily deep. Either way, the voice sounds terrible. At first you say, "No one is perfect," and try to overlook this flaw. However, as time passes, you realize that this is not an easy flaw to overlook. The voice become grating and disturbs every fiber of your being. Thus, that voice is the one thing that's keeping you from being "in love" with this person and part ways. A book is no different. Sure the first chapter is great and really hooks you. As the story continues, there may be snags in the plot and a major lack of character development and they're annoying. You stop reading because it's just that bad.
With that written, now you see my dilemma. How can I draw you into my world without pushing you away? I don't know. I guess I can only hope to appeal to you in such a way that you'd want to read.