How to create the perfect first chapter.

Hiiii, people. Yeah... you're probably pretty frustrated that it's me... again. But, that's fine. BECAUSE. I am frustrated that it's YOU. AGAIN.
Actually, I'm not. That was joke, guys... Please don't be mad at me forever. I really love you guys...

Anyway... It's Patricia, here on this bee-autiful afternoon, and I'm here to talk about your first chapter.

Your first chapter is possibly the most important one you will write. Most people, decide whether to read the book, or not, by reading the first chapter. You want one that will really suck your reader into another dimension. Here are a few tips to creating the most perfect mind-blowing first chapter in existence:

1. En media res. (I think I spelled that right.) ~ En media res is Latin, for "In the middle of things". You could write your first chapter, or prologue, or prelude, or whatever you call it, in the middle of things. Starting in the middle of the action is always exciting... But... with that comes challenges. If you're going to start WRITING in the middle of the plot, than you're going to have to keep a careful record of what happens. For example... You might start in the middle of a battle scene, which will take place later on in the book. However, in order for that to happen, you will have a lot of explaining to do, as you go along. You don't want your book to end up like this: Chapter 1: It was a foggy Saturday morning, in the month of April. Several lines of soldiers were preparing for battle. (Skip ahead twenty chapters) Chapter 20: It was a clear, sunny, Tuesday morning. 13,000 soldiers were preparing for battle. This is why, my dear readers, if you are going to start en media res, you are better off to start your story off normally, and then when your first draft is done, to copy and paste a middle scene into the front of the novel; and name it "Prelude".
2. Try to veil your character. ~ If your character seems a little bit more suspicious or 'shady', the reader will want to fine out why. Therefore, perking their interest in reading further.

Those are two reason... But... I have a treat for you guys *claps hands excitedly*. I'm going to give you the first chapter of my book. I am getting close to being finished with the first draft, so please leave me feedback in the comment section. If there are typos... I apologize. I haven't had much time for editing.

Have an amazing day!

~
Keep writing!

<3

Patricia Rane

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Rescuing the Fretholyne

By Patricia Rane

 

Chapter 1

 

            “Oh, come on,” Abbie groaned, hitting the steering wheel. “We’re gonna be late for school, and you’ll be to blame,” she yelled at the car. She tucked a strand of her light brown hair behind her ear. Her gold flecked eyes flashed in anger, but she tried to calm down.

            “I’ll check the fluids,” Jake offered. Abbie nodded.

            “I’ll help him!” Skylar eagerly offered, unbuckling her seatbelt. Abbie rolled her eyes, but unlocked the SUV’ door.

            “Just don’t stain your uniform,” Heather said, examining her manicure.

After five more minutes of sitting there, Abbie made up her mind. “That’s it,” she ordered. “We are not being late for school, just because some stupid, mortal car won’t start.” She opened the door to the driver seat. Fifteen year old Heather got out on the passenger side. The sound of opening doors echoed in the garage.

            “Guys,” Heather said to Jake and Skylar. “Stop fiddling with that, you’re gonna get your clothes dirty.”

            Abbie produced her amulet, which made Leiza cough uncomfortably. “Um, Abbie?” She asked. “You’re not planning on using that, are you?”

            “You know dad will have a cow if—,” Heather was interrupted.

            “Well we can’t be late for school, now, can we?” Abbie snapped. The stress of going to mortal school was enough, but having car troubles, and the thought of being late looming overhead…?

            “But, Abbie,” twelve year old Carter protested. “This could get us expelled!”

She hesitated at this thought. But then the determined look was back. “Nobody will find out about this. Right?” she looked sharply around at them all. No one said anything. “Good.”

Everyone put one finger on the tiny glass item the sixteen year old held in her hand. Amulets were one thing that each Hero was expected to have. It would help get you out of tight situations if your certain power didn’t apply. It could save your life, in very extreme matters.

            “Jackson Jewitt high school.”

Everyone opened their eyes, and they were standing on the front lawn of a large brick building. Heather took one look at Skylar and rolled her eyes. She started patting her little sister’s auburn hair back into place. The sun glinted off of Heather’s blonde hair, and nearly blinded Carter, but he just grinned. Heather was SO prim, and perfect. Long blonde hair, and curious blue eyes. It made him smile again, thinking about how motherly she was.

These seven kids were all going to experience their first day of mortal school. Their father and mother, Damien and Miridia Ferguson had been hesitant to let their children leave the safety of their home, in the hills of Denver, Colorado. But when they had seen how persistent their children were in going to see what mortal schools were like, they had finally gave in, entrusting them all into the care of Abigail, their oldest daughter. Damien had made them all promise that they wouldn’t use their powers. At all. And, on their first day, Abbie had just broken that promise. They had moved into a small house that was fifteen minutes away from the school, in New York City, New York. It was a disadvantage, the school being so far away, but it was the only one he could find without records of shadow heroes.

Abbie and Heather raced into the English classroom, where a tall, skinny, English professor had just begun the class. “Ladies,” he said, clearing his throat as they rushed to take their seats, “Tardiness is not a characteristic you will want to be characterized by in my class.” He adjusted his wire framed glasses.

            “I’m sorry, Professor,” Abbie apologized. “We had car problems this morning,” she said truthfully.

“Please turn to page 13 in your English textbooks. You will also need to take out your copy of Shakespeare’s, ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’.”

The rest of the class was mainly talking about how Shakespeare was a “True Writer”, and how much their professor adored him.

At the end of the learning session, the two teenagers were starting to realize why mortals hated school so much.

 

***

Fifteen year old Jake, fourteen year old Leiza, and thirteen year old Skylar slid into their seats, just seconds before the bell rang. “Good morning, class,” the math professor said, eyeing them. She was tall, and thin. Wearing a light purple and gray, dress suit, she looked quite intimidating. The class murmured a greeting, and the teacher turned her attention to the three kids. She smoothed her hair, which was pulled into a tight bun, straightened her glasses, and said, “I see we have some new students.”

Jake looked around to make sure that she wasn’t talking about someone else. “You three,” she said. “In the back.” Inwardly, Leiza groaned. Why couldn’t they have come in two minutes earlier? “Could you three please come up here?”

Jake slowly stood up, his younger sisters following his example. They made their way to the front, the teacher looming in front of them. “Welcome to Jackson Jewitt,” she said. “I’m Professor Jewitt.” Skylar gulped. They had the headmistress, and the owner of the school as a math teacher? Well… this would be interesting. Just so long that she doesn’t find out that we know her powerful position, Skylar thought.

            “You’re the headmistress?” Leiza asked, running her fingers through her dark brown hair.  Skylar wanted to punch her. The teacher looked pleased.

            “Yes,” she nodded. “Yes, I am.” She looked somewhat triumphant that they had noticed her position of authority. “And you are?”

            “Leiza,” she answered.

            “I’m Jake,” their brother said. “And the quiet one with the murderous look on her face is Skylar. Usually, we can’t get her to shut up.” Now Skylar wanted to punch Jake, too. Why couldn’t they just shut their mouths?

            “I see,” the Professor said, pursing her lips. There was something about this professor that made Skylar uneasy. “Well, you may take your seats.”

            “Open your math books to page four,” said Professor Jewitt. Then she narrowed her eyes, looking directly at Skylar. “We’ll see just how much you know.”

 

***

Twelve year old Carter, and eleven year old Kendra raced through the empty halls of the school. “Using her power amulet, indeed,” Carter huffed. “We’re gonna get in trouble if dad finds out!”

            “Carter,” Kendra said, glaring at him, “We’re definitely going to be in trouble, if we can’t find our classroom,” she said as-a-matter-a-factly.

            “OUR SISTER JUST VIOLATED THE ONLY RULE THAT WE HAD TO FOLLOW, ON OUR FIRST DAY!” He yelled, his voice echoing down the halls.

            “Will you please shut up?” she asked. “You’re the one who is gonna get us in trouble, screaming it to the whole world.” She said grumpily.

He glared at her. “DO YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO USE OUR AMULETS—,” he was interrupted,

            “Is there something wrong?” a female voice asked coldly. The two kids whirled around. A woman was standing in the doorway of a classroom right behind them.

            “Um, no, Professor,” Kendra squeaked. “We were just… Um… looking for our classroom.” She gently flipped her honey-colored hair over her shoulder.

            “Please follow me.” The teacher said, motioning into the classroom behind her. The classroom, just happened to be full of students. Carter scanned the class, and then he spotted Jake, Leiza, and Skylar near the back. “Leiza,” she said. The girl looked up from her homework sheet. She looked surprised.

“Yes, Professor Jewitt?”

“Are these your… relatives…?” This time, Leiza looked over at Skylar. Skylar gave her ‘The look’.

“No, Professor.” Leiza lied. She had a feeling that Skylar sensed that this was dangerous.

Carter opened his mouth, but Kendra jabbed her elbow into his side. He shut his mouth, and remained silent.  She knew that their older siblings had a good reason to lie, whatever it may be.  The Professor looked surprised. “You’re… quite sure?” she asked.

            “Of course we are,” Skylar sneered. “Don’t you think we would know who we’re related to?”

Jake gave her a warning look. “Please, Professor,” Kendra began, “We’re late for our class. Could you please direct to the correct room?”

            “What class is it that you want?” Professor Jewitt asked, the cold tone returning to her voice.

            “General science, grade eight,” she answered.

            “It’s door eight, over in the next hallway.”

 

Kendra murmured a thank you, and then dragged Carter from the room. They entered the classroom and looked around. It was empty. “Hmm,” Kendra mused. “Maybe she misspoke herself,” she said after checking the door number. “Well, this is the general science room,” she pointed to a sign on the wall. It read, “Jackson Jewitt loves General Science.”

           
“Maybe we’re early,” Carter offered.

            “We can’t be early,” Kendra murmured, looking fixatedly at the blackboard. She glanced at her watch. “Classes for this time frame should be almost halfway through.”

Carter saw some movement out of the corner of his eye, near the window of the room. He started walking toward the general area he saw the movement in.

Suddenly, Kendra heard a scuffle out in the hall. She turned, just in time to see Skylar burst into the room. “Carter!” she yelled. “It’s a trap!”