7 First Chapter Mistakes New Writers Make (And How to Fix Them)

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✍️ Struggling to write the perfect first chapter? You’re not alone — but you can fix it.

Your opening chapter can make or break your story. In this video, I break down 7 common first chapter mistakes that cause readers (and agents) to lose interest, and show you exactly how to fix them.

Whether you're writing fantasy, contemporary, or sci-fi, these writing tips will help you hook your reader from the very first line.

💡 We'll cover the following:
How to start your story in the right moment
The “breadcrumb” method to fix info dumps
Why readers disconnect — and how to re-engage them
How to fix overwritten prose and unclear tone
Real examples of “before and after” writing fixes

Each mistake includes HOW TO SPOT IT, HOW TO FIX IT, and real writing examples you can apply right away.

Perfect for first-time novelists or anyone revising their manuscript.
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⏰ Chapters:
00:00 – Why First Chapters Matter
00:39 – Mistake 1: Starting Too Early
01:58 – Mistake 2: Info Dumping
03:24 – Mistake 3: Floating Head Syndrome
04:30 – Mistake 4: No Clear Want or Problem
05:28 – Mistake 5: Too Many Characters Too Soon
07:45 – Mistake 6: Overwritten Prose
09:20 – Mistake 7: Unclear Tone or Genre
11:20 – Final Thoughts
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📚 About Story Lab:
At Story Lab, we break down successful stories to uncover the secret formula for writing your own masterpiece. Powered by the story scientists at ProWritingAid, we combine art and science to help you master storytelling.

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