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For the first Trope of the Month, it seems only appropriate that we begin with beginnings! The start of a story is a big topic in itself, with any number of associated tropes, clichés, and patterns. In Pokémon fanfiction, probably the most well-known beginning cliché is the main character jumping out of bed on their birthday, ready and hopelessly eager to receive their very first pokémon. It's a cliché that inspires a lot of eye-rolling and weary sighs, since usually the chapter that follows is little different to any other story that begins this way. This video here discusses first chapters, and how they have to do the job of getting across to the reader what kind of story will follow:
First lines, too, hold particular importance in beginnings - as the beginning of the beginning, if you like. Advice written for authors looking to be published has perhaps exaggerated the importance of the first line to almost mythical status, where the object is not just to get the reader's attention but also to secure the savagely critical eye of the publishing house. I'm inclined to think you could write and rewrite a first line again and again, trying to make it more attention-worthy. For fanfiction, perhaps the stress isn't always worth it.
So what do you think? What do you think makes for a good first chapter? How do you come up with first lines?
First lines, too, hold particular importance in beginnings - as the beginning of the beginning, if you like. Advice written for authors looking to be published has perhaps exaggerated the importance of the first line to almost mythical status, where the object is not just to get the reader's attention but also to secure the savagely critical eye of the publishing house. I'm inclined to think you could write and rewrite a first line again and again, trying to make it more attention-worthy. For fanfiction, perhaps the stress isn't always worth it.
So what do you think? What do you think makes for a good first chapter? How do you come up with first lines?