: Re: Tips on engaging the audience in the first chapter? What are some tips you would recommend to immediately attract a reader, or make the story interesting enough to continue reading? I want to

@Murray165

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There are multiple ways to engage the reader. Your first page should be the "hook", the essence of what to expect of your book. But how to do it, it really depends on the nature of your book, because you first page should be highly relevant to the rest of the story.

If you consider interesting and unusual characters the strongest part of your book, introduce them right away.

If your book has high-octane action, start with the action sequence.

If your book is about human relationships, start with description of thought and feelings of your character.

If your book is about a mystery, you can show this mystery right away or, at first, present another small, "teaser" mystery.

If your book contains philosophy and deep thoughts, give reader a small, but interesting problem to chew on.

Think if your book can benefit from a prologue.

Next is my personal opinion which can be wrong. Many books start with slow-pacing descriptions of the opening scene. Don't do that unless you are absolutely sure. It's overly common and works well only if the prose is really good.

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