I give this piece of advice all the time to my clients: Write your first chapter last.

Depending on what you’re writing, you could replace chapter with paragraph or section or overview.

You should still draft an opening just to get it out of your head and onto the page. But do not spend an inordinate amount of time on it if you haven’t completed the rest of your article, proposal, or manuscript.

Because the work will change as you write it.

This is particularly true for books that may require months if not years of work.

Once you have a full idea of what your book truly is, that’s when you should revise your first chapter.

As you revise, keep this heavy thought in mind: Your first chapter may be all the time you have to convince your reader why they should give you their time.

If that’s too heavy, here’s a smaller goal: Write the first chapter so that the reader can’t help themselves from reading the second chapter. (A finished book is full of breadcrumbs.)

This works for shortform content too. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve written an article, let it sit, then axed the first two or three paragraphs because I was clearing my throat.

When you’re revising an opening for any length of nonfiction writing, always ask yourself these two questions:

• Is this the most compelling way to start?
• Does this serve the reader?

If you’re ruthless with your cuts, you may just find your perfect beginning.

Apply It

Grab five random nonfiction books. Read the first major section of the first chapter. Ask yourself the two questions above. Maybe even grade each opening in comparison to the others. Which beginnings made you want to keep reading? And what could their beginnings teach you about your beginning?

Client News

​The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher is on presale for its March 18 release.

He’s been making the podcast and talk show rounds, from Mel Robbins to Lewis Howes to Tamron Hall.

Expect to see and hear more from him as the book release nears and his book tour (including a stop in Dallas at Interabang Books) commences.

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