Writing tip

Don’t try to cram everything into the first chapter

Save some gems for the rest of your book

Image created by Jacquelyn Lynn using MockupShots

Almost every ghostwriting client I’ve worked with has made the common mistake of wanting to get all their important messages in the first few pages of their book.

Or, similarly, when I’m writing articles for them, they want too many concepts in a single piece, rather than creating multiple articles that can be crosslinked.

Here’s what I tell them:

Don’t overwhelm your reader with too much information too soon.

Here’s how this applies to nonfiction books:

Your first chapter is the introduction to your topic. It’s where you explain your general concept and tell the reader what you’re going to tell them in the rest of your book. It sets the stage and lets the reader know why they should keep reading. Focus on that.

The first chapter is the hors d’oeuvre that whets the reader’s appetite for the meat and potatoes that’s coming in the rest of the book.