At the Beginning: That Dreaded First Chapter

Well, after a prolonged absence to deal with my declining health, I've started a new novel. The idea arrived in a rather timely fashion, so I've got that going for me. It should be smooth sailing, though not quick sailing. A book should essentially fall out of my brain now, as it usually does once the idea has manifested in my brain. Except for one small problem.


The first chapter. I am not a fan of first chapters. I know they're the hook, the way to draw readers in. I know they are for catching attention, for giving the reader just enough information to want to continue the story. But I don't like them. I find them endlessly annoying to write, though typically a joy to read. I'd rather jump into the meat of the story, a place where I can weave plot and dump exposition because it makes sense and it continues the spell for the reader.


But before I can continue the spell, I have to start the spell. And that's a real bummer. Introducing characters and settings when I already know them by virtue of thinking them up in the first place...it's just so boring. And while I could write the book out of order, that never works for me. I have to start at the beginning or there won't be a beginning. I'll just never go back and write it.


So here I am. About to introduce Sorcha, a girl who's lived in my head for the past six weeks. I know her, I know her story. I want to write her story. But before I can do that, I have to orient my readers to the story I'm about to write. I have to make sure they can find there way.


It's important. I know it's important. But I don't have to like it.