4 things to avoid in the first chapter of your novel.

The first chapter is the most important chapter of your novel. It can actually determine the fate of your manuscript, whether its going to make it to the book shelves or in the Recycle Bin. Here are some of the things that you should definitely AVOID in the very first chapter of your novel:

▶ Too much backstory- let the readers catch up with the back story eventually as they read through the chapters. Don't state all of it in the very first chapter.

▶ Too many character names- unless you're out to confuse the readers, don't do it. When too many names are thrown in all together, the readers will invariably end up perplexed. 

▶ Waking up from a dream- this is one of the most overused techniques of beginning a novel. If you're thinking of starting your novel with a dream, or with a character waking up from a dream, PLEASE reconsider.

▶ Long character descriptions- describe your protagonist, yes. But always remember the 'show, dont tell' rule. Instead of explicitly describing the character of the protagonist, let the readers figure it out through his/her actions, choices, habits or quirks.

Your goal is to keep the readers wanting more after they have read your first chapter. So, make sure you frame the first chapter in a way that gets them hooked to your narrative right from the very beginning.