If you're an author who's grappling with Chapter 1 and finding it frustrating, this email is for you. Like many other editors and writing coaches, I understand the pressure of trying to make that first chapter perfect, crafted to grab attention and compel readers to buy your book. But here’s the truth: Chapter 1 doesn’t need to be perfect—not right now, anyway. In fact, drafting Chapter 1 and then setting it aside for a while could be the best thing you do for your memoir—and your sanity. Here’s why letting go of Chapter 1 will help unlock the rest of your story (and keep you from tearing your hair out).
Chapter 1 is Just the Beginning (Literally)
Yes, Chapter 1 is the start of your memoir, but guess what? It’s likely going to change—maybe 15 times—before you're done. Think of it as a placeholder for what you think your memoir is about. It helps get things rolling. Now, set it aside. Why?
Writing a memoir is a messy, evolving process—unless you're a plotter, of course! But even then, you might discover new layers as you write. You won’t truly understand the shape of your story until you’ve written a significant chunk of it. So whether you’re plotting or pantsing, don’t stress about getting it right until the full story has revealed itself.
The magic of moving on: Why setting aside Chapter 1 helps you write
The moment you set Chapter 1 aside, something magical happens: you get your momentum back. When you stop obsessing over the start, you’ll suddenly find yourself writing faster, with more freedom. The pressure to make everything perfect lifts, and you can just write. Here’s why moving on helps:
- Momentum is Key: Writing is like riding a bike—you’ve got to keep pedaling or you’ll fall over. Once you’re cruising, you’ll be surprised how much easier the rest of your memoir comes together.
- Find the Real Start of Your Story: Most memoirists find out that their true beginning is hidden somewhere later in the book. Maybe it’s that crazy road trip you take in Chapter 3 or the breakup that flips your life upside down in Chapter 5. So don't fuss over the first few pages.
- Avoid Over-Polishing: If you rewrite Chapter 1 a million times before you’ve even finished the book, you risk crafting an opening that doesn’t fit with the rest of your story.
Remove limitations: Don’t let Chapter 1 box you in
If you lock yourself into specific themes too early, you might find yourself dismissing important scenes or moments later that could make your story more dynamic and compelling. Writing beyond Chapter 1 allows you to discover new themes and threads that can evolve organically—and ultimately strengthen your memoir.
By letting go of the need for Chapter 1 to define everything, you give yourself permission to explore unexpected directions in your narrative. And later, you can come back to that first chapter and weave in the best parts of your story, once you’ve found them.
Finding the real beginning of your memoir (and why Chapter 1 feels so important)
It’s easy to get fixated on Chapter 1 because it feels like the key to everything. It’s the first thing your readers will see, so naturally, you want it to be spectacular.
As your manuscript evolves, patterns will show up in your writing that you didn’t realize were there at the beginning.
By the time you near the finish line with your manuscript, you’ll know what your memoir is truly about. That’s when you (with your editor’s help) will rewrite Chapter 1 to include all the key themes and events you've written about.
Chapter 1 in your book proposal
A book proposal includes your first chapter, a detailed outline of the entire book, and sample chapters. You want your first chapter to shine in that proposal, but it needs to fit with the story as a whole. That’s why drafting and setting it aside now will allow you to revisit it later, once your full narrative and themes are clear. By then, you’ll have the confidence and clarity to make it the chapter your memoir deserves.
Conclusion: Give yourself permission to move on
Writing a memoir is a journey, and like any journey, the beginning isn’t always clear until you’re further down the road. Don’t get hung up on Chapter 1. Draft it, set it aside, and keep moving forward. You’ll come back to it when the time is right, and with the perspective you’ve gained from writing the rest of your story, you’ll be able to create an opening that truly captures the essence of your memoir.
