What do you think?
Rate this book
Write Great Beginnings: How to start a novel, hook readers from page one, and avoid common first-chapter problems
The beginning is the most important part of your book. The first chapter—probably even the first page—is what makes agents and editors accept or reject a manuscript, and it’s what makes readers decide to buy a book or pick another. But writing a compelling opening is hard because there are so many things a great beginning needs to do and so many mistakes to avoid.
In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and best-selling author to teach you where to start your novel, how to avoid common first chapter problems, and how to hook your readers from the very first page.
Each chapter of this practical guide includes concrete examples and exercises that will help you write an irresistible beginning.
Whether you’re a novice writer working on your first story or an established author with several novels under your belt, this book will help you:
- Decide where to start your book,
- Understand important elements of every powerful opening such as the inciting incident,
- Write a kickass first line,
- Hook your readers from the very first page,
- Introduce your characters and get readers to care about them,
- Establish the time and place of your story,
- Get your readers emotionally involved in your story as soon as possible,
- Describe your setting and your characters without stopping the momentum of the story,
- Incorporate backstory and reveal your characters’ pasts without overwhelming readers,
- Create chapter endings that will make readers keep reading.
- Avoid openings that are boring, confusing, clichéd, or misleading,
- Discover what types of openings to avoid,
- Find out why prologues and flashbacks can be problematic and how to handle them effectively.
In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and best-selling author to teach you where to start your novel, how to avoid common first chapter problems, and how to hook your readers from the very first page.
Each chapter of this practical guide includes concrete examples and exercises that will help you write an irresistible beginning.
Whether you’re a novice writer working on your first story or an established author with several novels under your belt, this book will help you:
- Decide where to start your book,
- Understand important elements of every powerful opening such as the inciting incident,
- Write a kickass first line,
- Hook your readers from the very first page,
- Introduce your characters and get readers to care about them,
- Establish the time and place of your story,
- Get your readers emotionally involved in your story as soon as possible,
- Describe your setting and your characters without stopping the momentum of the story,
- Incorporate backstory and reveal your characters’ pasts without overwhelming readers,
- Create chapter endings that will make readers keep reading.
- Avoid openings that are boring, confusing, clichéd, or misleading,
- Discover what types of openings to avoid,
- Find out why prologues and flashbacks can be problematic and how to handle them effectively.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
206 pages, Paperback
Published March 16, 2020
104 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Gerth
15 books35 followersSandra Gerth is a writer and an editor who divides her time between writing her own books and helping other writers revise and polish theirs.
She holds a degree in psychology and worked as a psychologist for eight years before transitioning into a career as a full-time novelist—the best job in the world as far as she’s concerned.
She earned a certificate in editing from the Academy of German Book Trade and is now the senior editor of Ylva Publishing, a small press that publishes women’s fiction.
Under her pen name, Jae, she has published twelve novels and about two dozen short stories. Her books have won numerous awards and have been #1 bestsellers on Amazon on various occasions.
She’s also the author of a series of books for writers
She holds a degree in psychology and worked as a psychologist for eight years before transitioning into a career as a full-time novelist—the best job in the world as far as she’s concerned.
She earned a certificate in editing from the Academy of German Book Trade and is now the senior editor of Ylva Publishing, a small press that publishes women’s fiction.
Under her pen name, Jae, she has published twelve novels and about two dozen short stories. Her books have won numerous awards and have been #1 bestsellers on Amazon on various occasions.
She’s also the author of a series of books for writers
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 3, 2024
Wow, selesaiiiii. Ini kali pertama aku baca buku tentang menulis. Bahkan walaupun pakai Save The Cat, aku belajarnya dari Mbak Jia dan nggak baca bukunya (biarpun aku punya juga bukunya wkwk).
Buku ini oke banget sih, apalagi buat penulis pemula. Buatku, isinya rapi dan mudah dipahami. Tapi ada beberapa hal yang nggak “works” di aku. Ya gpp juga sih, namanya teknik nulis orang kan beda-beda ya. Secara keseluruhan bagus dan aku sangat rekomendasikan buat teman-teman penulis.
Buku ini oke banget sih, apalagi buat penulis pemula. Buatku, isinya rapi dan mudah dipahami. Tapi ada beberapa hal yang nggak “works” di aku. Ya gpp juga sih, namanya teknik nulis orang kan beda-beda ya. Secara keseluruhan bagus dan aku sangat rekomendasikan buat teman-teman penulis.
November 19, 2024
Once again excellent and concise advice.
April 30, 2021
Successful writers are lifelong learners. Aspiring writers that become successful writers are already dedicated lifelong learners. After 40+ years of ghosting books and articles for clients in the electrical and electronics industries, I’m still learning. There’s always something new to learn. That’s especially true for the fictioneer. No matter what they write, fiction or nonfiction, every successful wordsmith devours at least one new crafts book every month. With craft books, every writer has his or her favorite authors. One of mine is Sandra Gerth, because she not only talks the talk but walks the walk. Besides her series of crafts books for writers, she has also published sixteen novels under the pen name, “Jae.”
The aspiring fictioneer faces many challenges, but Sandra Gerth’s Writer’s Guide Series helps them meet and overcome all of those challenges. There’re five books in that series, with Write Great Beginnings being the fifth book in the series. These books can be read in any order, but Write Great Beginnings is a great place to start. In Write Great Beginnings, Sandra promises to teach the aspiring fictioneer how to start a novel, how to hook a reader from page one, and how to avoid common first chapter mistakes. Many authors of how-to books make those same promises to their readers, but few make good on those promises the way Sandra Gerth does.
The other books in the series, Goal Setting for Writers, Time Management for Writers, Show, Don’t Tell, and Point of View are mandatory read for every aspiring writer. I have them all on my craft books. Bookshelf and read and re-read them again and again and each time come away with some new bit of knowledge that I can use.
Today, at the ripe old age of 77, I have retired from ghosting books for clients in the electrical and electronics industries and am doing something that I have always wanted to do, write a fiction series, so Sandra and I will spend a great deal of quality time together. If you are a writer, join us.
The aspiring fictioneer faces many challenges, but Sandra Gerth’s Writer’s Guide Series helps them meet and overcome all of those challenges. There’re five books in that series, with Write Great Beginnings being the fifth book in the series. These books can be read in any order, but Write Great Beginnings is a great place to start. In Write Great Beginnings, Sandra promises to teach the aspiring fictioneer how to start a novel, how to hook a reader from page one, and how to avoid common first chapter mistakes. Many authors of how-to books make those same promises to their readers, but few make good on those promises the way Sandra Gerth does.
The other books in the series, Goal Setting for Writers, Time Management for Writers, Show, Don’t Tell, and Point of View are mandatory read for every aspiring writer. I have them all on my craft books. Bookshelf and read and re-read them again and again and each time come away with some new bit of knowledge that I can use.
Today, at the ripe old age of 77, I have retired from ghosting books for clients in the electrical and electronics industries and am doing something that I have always wanted to do, write a fiction series, so Sandra and I will spend a great deal of quality time together. If you are a writer, join us.
May 23, 2023
Must Know for Any Writer
There is a method behind this, and she explained it. If you want to understand how to write to get published, you have to read this book. The only drawback of this book is that she cannot hold a writer's hand completely. She cannot write your manuscript for you. That is your job. She just makes it easier. Follow her instructions and you will be published.
There is a method behind this, and she explained it. If you want to understand how to write to get published, you have to read this book. The only drawback of this book is that she cannot hold a writer's hand completely. She cannot write your manuscript for you. That is your job. She just makes it easier. Follow her instructions and you will be published.
August 3, 2020
After reading Show Don't Tell by this author I knew I wanted to read more of her non-fiction books. Write Great Beginnings ended up being the second book by this author I read and I think it's another great non-fiction book. This is an in depth look at writing beginning, but also includes plenty of advice that's applicable to later parts of your book as well.
This book was easy to read and follow. It had short length chapters and exercises at the end of each one which were a great way to summarize and practice the information in each chapter. It was easy to follow and understand and is full of great information and tips. There is advice about what to avoid or not to do or if you want to include a certain things like flashbacks how to handle it well. There is a part about the three story act and the role of beginnings. There are chapters that deal with advice on how to make your beginning great and more. It really approaches the topic of beginnings from a lot of different angles and discusses multiple aspects.
I really enjoyed reading this book and it's clear the author knows a lot about the topic due to her editing experience and has seen a lot of book beginnings. I like the way this book is written and how she explains the advice she gives. A lot of the tips also seem very applicable and I definitely think it's helpful for authors who want to know more about the topic. For me it gave me more insight in why sometimes when I read a sample or first chapters and I am hooked and other times not so much.
To summarize: This is a great book about writing beginnings with plenty of advice, tips and information about how to write a good beginning. There is information about the role of the beginning in a book as well as things to avoid and how to hook readers from the start with a good beginning. While focused on the beginning of a book there is advice that's applicable to later parts of a story as well. I thought this was a very informative read and it gave me more insight into why some book beginnings work so well and others less so. I would definitely recommend this one!
This book was easy to read and follow. It had short length chapters and exercises at the end of each one which were a great way to summarize and practice the information in each chapter. It was easy to follow and understand and is full of great information and tips. There is advice about what to avoid or not to do or if you want to include a certain things like flashbacks how to handle it well. There is a part about the three story act and the role of beginnings. There are chapters that deal with advice on how to make your beginning great and more. It really approaches the topic of beginnings from a lot of different angles and discusses multiple aspects.
I really enjoyed reading this book and it's clear the author knows a lot about the topic due to her editing experience and has seen a lot of book beginnings. I like the way this book is written and how she explains the advice she gives. A lot of the tips also seem very applicable and I definitely think it's helpful for authors who want to know more about the topic. For me it gave me more insight in why sometimes when I read a sample or first chapters and I am hooked and other times not so much.
To summarize: This is a great book about writing beginnings with plenty of advice, tips and information about how to write a good beginning. There is information about the role of the beginning in a book as well as things to avoid and how to hook readers from the start with a good beginning. While focused on the beginning of a book there is advice that's applicable to later parts of a story as well. I thought this was a very informative read and it gave me more insight into why some book beginnings work so well and others less so. I would definitely recommend this one!
July 25, 2023
The book “Write Great Beginnings” is one of the best writing guides to be found. As the name says, the book focuses on writing openings, but to write a good opening you have to know where the story is going and the author makes you think about that. She then shows you how to use that knowledge to hook your readers with just the right opening.
She offers tips and techniques as do many writing guides, but her examples are spot on and help clearly illustrate what she is trying to say. She identifies all of the key ingredients that are needed for a good opening and then shows her real world knowledge by pointing out that not all genres will need every item nor will all genres need to start at the same place in the story.
When she offers advice on what to do or not do, such as with prologues and flashbacks, she gives a very thought out explanation as to why things should be done a certain way. Then as if she is reading your mind, she goes on to say that if you insist on not following her advice, here is the best way to not follow it.
If I can get all of the pointers, suggestions and overall guidelines she identifies in my story, it’s clear my book will be off to a good start.
She offers tips and techniques as do many writing guides, but her examples are spot on and help clearly illustrate what she is trying to say. She identifies all of the key ingredients that are needed for a good opening and then shows her real world knowledge by pointing out that not all genres will need every item nor will all genres need to start at the same place in the story.
When she offers advice on what to do or not do, such as with prologues and flashbacks, she gives a very thought out explanation as to why things should be done a certain way. Then as if she is reading your mind, she goes on to say that if you insist on not following her advice, here is the best way to not follow it.
If I can get all of the pointers, suggestions and overall guidelines she identifies in my story, it’s clear my book will be off to a good start.
January 25, 2024
Written by a senior editor at a small publishing house, I expected a lot more from this book. Honestly, a lot of the time it felt like a self-promotion of the author's back catalogue, which is a shame because it does have some solid advice woven in. If you just read the bits in bold you pretty much have everything that you need to know. Unfortunately, it repeats itself and there's a lot of fluff. Having said that it would probably be useful for beginner writers who aren’t yet as familiar with some of the industry terminology.
August 22, 2024
Another easy to read book from Sandra. This one about writing great beginnings.
It’s full of advice, tips and has useful exercises that encourage you to consider beginnings from other authors and understand why some stories immediately hook you in while others don’t. Then encourages you to apply that to your own writing.
Packed with useful information, one of several useful books for writers this author has written (I’m making my way through 5 of them and haven’t found a dud one so far)
It’s full of advice, tips and has useful exercises that encourage you to consider beginnings from other authors and understand why some stories immediately hook you in while others don’t. Then encourages you to apply that to your own writing.
Packed with useful information, one of several useful books for writers this author has written (I’m making my way through 5 of them and haven’t found a dud one so far)
April 29, 2021
To start!
The knowledge imparted in this guide is highly valuable in regards to writing your first chapters of your novel. Learning to craft your beginnings and hook is what make a reader go to the end of your book. The information is laid out in a easy to apply Formula. Great advise
for all writers.
The knowledge imparted in this guide is highly valuable in regards to writing your first chapters of your novel. Learning to craft your beginnings and hook is what make a reader go to the end of your book. The information is laid out in a easy to apply Formula. Great advise
for all writers.
January 11, 2024
So helpful
I'm working on revising my 2nd novel and knew I struggled with my opening chapters. They were ok but not exciting, page turning, or hook worthy. But I didn't know what to do about it. This book was perfect, and exactly what I needed, with examples of what to include and items to avoid, I feel like I'm now prepared to go make revisions.
I'm working on revising my 2nd novel and knew I struggled with my opening chapters. They were ok but not exciting, page turning, or hook worthy. But I didn't know what to do about it. This book was perfect, and exactly what I needed, with examples of what to include and items to avoid, I feel like I'm now prepared to go make revisions.
October 5, 2020
Learn How to Begin Your Novel
This is an excellent book for fiction writers who want to learn how to structure and write the opening of a great story. My ebook is filled with many highlights which only proves the value of Sarah Gerth's book.
This is an excellent book for fiction writers who want to learn how to structure and write the opening of a great story. My ebook is filled with many highlights which only proves the value of Sarah Gerth's book.
March 8, 2023
Great read. Some points became repetitive at times, but for a less experiences author the repetitiveness is what will make it stick in your head for when you are writing your next novel. I'm off to read the rest of the books in the series!
June 30, 2022
It was helpful. However, I am not writing fiction, so the content of this book, did not help as the first one I read. Thank you!
January 5, 2023
A wealth of valuable information and actionable steps for greatly improved writing. Highly recommend.
September 27, 2023
All of Sandra Gerth’s books are incredibly helpful and practical. I cannot recommend them enough!!
February 7, 2024
Good information, well presented.
July 27, 2024
As with Sandra Gerth's other titles on writing, she provides practical advice with useful exercises.
October 20, 2020
.
Wonderfully informative,with so much so interestingly presented I feel I shall be revisiting often. I would recommend this ebook to all aspiring writers.
Wonderfully informative,with so much so interestingly presented I feel I shall be revisiting often. I would recommend this ebook to all aspiring writers.
July 19, 2021
Great resource!
To hook the reader right away and immerse your reader into the story, this book is excellent to teach you awesome techniques on crafting a beginning. It goes beyond the first page or even the first chapter. Detailed, informative, and with helpful exercises.
To hook the reader right away and immerse your reader into the story, this book is excellent to teach you awesome techniques on crafting a beginning. It goes beyond the first page or even the first chapter. Detailed, informative, and with helpful exercises.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews