What do you tell your readers?

In the first chapter?

I recently entered a first chapter contest. While I didn't place, I got some good comments on my prospective stories. I actualy entered to get those opinions, and not to win. Although winning would have been nice.

The comments left me with some general questions though. What exactly do you put in that first chapter? Some of the judges told me that I didn't draw it out enough and needed to give them more information. Others told me that I drew the story past the ending point and that the chapter should end on page three. While none of them told me I had too much information regarding the plot, some told me they wanted to see more.

My question is this. Where is that level of information where the first chapter entices the reader to pick the book up and buy it, but doesn't tell you the whole story and ruin the reading of the book?

If I tell you that Dave is a unwilling superhero and if he doesn't hurry and finish his cereal in time to rescue the lady who is going to be pushed in front of the bus at 9:12 and that she is the one person who is going to be able to save the earth from destruction by discovering a new element that afternoon. Why even bother turning to page two?

I ran into this problem early in my writing career and thought I had come to a reasonable answer regarding the problem. Which is why I am asking you guys. I went to a writing website and entered my first page and the critiques were asking for more information, who what where why etc etc etc. Problem is, if I give you the who what where why etc in the first half page of the book it isn't enticing, it becomes an info dump. Why bother reading the book if all the questions that should be discovered in the process of the text is given to you right away?

For example, I opened a book at a used book store and read the prologue. By the time I finished it I knew exactly what would happen in the rest of the book. Why, at that point bother reading it? On the other hand, I read a book where the first chapter was exciting and full of action I couldn't wait to get home and finish the rest of the book. Sadly the writer had worked so much on drawing the reader into the book that by chapter TWO it fell flat and I never finished the book. The first chapter was completely diferent, only the names were the same. It seemed to me that the writer worked so hard on the first chapter but not the rest of the book. What about the writer that gives you detailed information of the world for the first quarter of the book and the characters and plot start after chapter 10? Or the writer that starts the book in chapter 1 but the story started in either chapter 5 or -5?

What do you think? What is necessary in the first chapter and what isn't? What point in the plot is the first chapter written? How much back story, character development and setting is necessary? Do we always have to drop the reader into the action on page one?

It's all in the head. . .

I went to the LDStorymakers conference this year.

It was a complete blast.

The classes were awesome. The friends were beyond awesome. The food, once I convinced them that I really am allergic to tomatoes, was awesome too. I was able to talk to people I admire and chat with people who I think are so cool and didn't feel like an idiot.

I want to thank Tristi Pinkston, Jaime Theeler and Crystal Liechty for all their hard work in putting the conference together. For all the teachers that worked for hours on thier classes. For the people in AI who also worked many hours to get people excited and involved. Also to Julie Coulter Belon for managing the First Chapter Contest and somehow handling over 190 entries.

I didnt win anything in the contest although I did win a CD from Covenant (door prize). But this year that's okay. I didnt expect to win this year I had much more realistic expectations and entered the contest with the sole intention of getting those crits. Although winning the laptop would have been nice.

I'm glad I took that approach, this conference was so much more enjoyable. Silly me don't know why I was so wrapped up in the contest last year. Maybe since I won the LTUE contest in 08 I was too full of myself. Letting it get to my head. I know, bad me.

Anyway, this year was a blast, I had alot of fun and got alot of books signed and got a coveted copy of "Mr. Monster" (the sequel of I am Not a Serial Killer) by Dan Wells. Next year I don't even think I am entering the contest. Most of the crits for all four chapters I entered were all saying the same thing anyway. I know where my strengths and weaknesses are and I am working on it.

Regardless I had a great time and it was certainly inspiring for me. Thanks Guys!