Death to the “hooky”, action-packed, in media res first chapter; my kingdom for a vibey, seductive, languid first chapter. Let me sink into the novel like warm bathwater, don't plunge me headfirst into the deep end of the frigid pool.
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Some books do well with gut-punch first chaps, but when I encounter a book with a forced-feeling "hooky" opening I just want to reach through the ether and pat the author's hand and say: "I like books, friend. I like hearing stories, and I like beautiful words. Tell me your story at your own pace."
Authors often take advice too literally. Let yourself have as wide a definition of words like “action” as possible. “Action”can mean any sense of conflict, but not necessarily a sword fight. “Vibey” interior conflict can be just as “hooky.”
I like both, honestly. And both can become a problem. (To my personal reading experience.)
If you plunge me into action without having me care about characters, I won’t care about the action, either.
If you keep talking about worldbuilding without a hint where this is going… I’m probably out. 🤷🏻♂️
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https://youtu.be/nHjaNDGgYEA?si=uZirVQwoDeOl2tCT
*I look up page number to a building being firebombed 4 pages into my fantasy book*
Oh... oh geez lol
A girl just...existing. Pondering what the enlistment orders in her pocket mean for her.
If you plunge me into action without having me care about characters, I won’t care about the action, either.
If you keep talking about worldbuilding without a hint where this is going… I’m probably out. 🤷🏻♂️
It worked a treat in the Fellowship film, too!