Having a structure for your chapters will make the actual writing easier. Not just for your first chapter – but for ALL your chapters.
The first step is to decide what you want a chapter to look like. Will you start with a ‘What’s in this chapter’ list, a quotation, a story or a paragraph that intrigues the reader and makes them want to find out more?
What other elements will you include in every chapter?
- Case studies
- Models
- Diagrams
- Stories and anecdotes
- Quotations
- Action points
- A summary
- Templates
You decide.
When you have a chapter ‘formula’ or ‘recipe’, then apply that to each chapter. So you have a subject for your chapter, now you also have a list of elements to include – and you can start filling in the gaps.
Which story or anecdote will apply to the subject of this chapter?
Which quotation makes your point best?
What will your subheadings be?
Now you have a skeleton plan. All you have to do is flesh it out.
Before you know it, you’ll have your first chapter finished!
