Is your first chapter ready?
Be confident!
What if you had a resource to help you figure out the strengths and weaknesses of your first chapter? An objective, informative rubric to go by?
If your first chapter doesn’t work, then you have probably lost a customer for life. Or a chance to sign an agent or get a publishing contract.
Don't leave things to chance.
This rubric will help you identify the problem areas in your first chapter and figure out how to fix them.
Be ready for queries.
Be ready for readers.
Get the results you dream about.
Assess
Piece by piece, assess your first chapter using the rubric. It covers every aspect of a successful beginning.
Fix
Based on the assessment of your work, you will know exactly what needs improvement. You can do this!
Double check
Give the rubric to your critque partners or beta readers to gather their feedback. It's that easy to use.
Kathrese McKee
About the author
Kathrese McKee has edited fiction professionally since 2014 in the following genres: urban and paranormal fantasy, fairytale retellings, dystopian and military science fiction, women’s fiction, and contemporary and historical romance.
She is the host of the Writing Pursuits podcast and writes and produces a weekly newsletter, Writing Pursuits Tips for Authors. Kathrese is the author of speculative fiction books, short stories, and flash fiction. Her goal is to help you “prepare your story for the journey ahead.”
As a Three Story Method Certified Editor, she specializes in story analysis and diagnostics, helping authors understand their strengths and weaknesses and polish their work for publication.
Kathrese loves to teach principles of writing and business, and she is available for speaking engagements.
The rubric includes ...
In-depth analysis of your hook.
- Promise
- Point of view
- Setting
- Tone and Mood
- Genre
Full chapter overview:
- Point of View
- Setting
- Normal World
- Genre
- Stakes
- Conflict
- Choices
- Consequences
- Cliffhanger
- References to other resources
Updates are free!
As a subscriber to Writing Pursuits, you will receive future updates to the rubric . Unsubscribe at any time.
Bonus: Companion Guide
Get your PDF
As a bonus, you will receive the companion guide, free for a limited time: Your Novel's First Chapter.
Download your copy and read it wherever you like. Whether it's on desktop, curled up on your couch with your tablet or on-the-go on your phone
