How important are chaps 4 and 5?

Vimes · Jul 10, 2009

Hi folks,
After a major rewrite, I'm just about to start sending out my partial MS to agents. I have polished, polished, polished those first three chapters, and am quite happy with them. They do a bit of scene setting, introduce a bit of mystery, and have a decent amount of action... However, now I am starting to panic about chapters 4 and 5.

Assuming an agent likes chapters 1-3 enough to request the full MS, then the next really important ones are going to be chaps 4 and 5, presumably. I'm writing fantasy (urban) though, so after the action and intrigue of chaps 1-3, I need to start explaining a few things about the way the world works. Now I'm worrying that, by contrast, the pace slows down too much... eek! Do you think an agent will give me a bit of leeway here (especially because it's fantasy)? They need time to catch their breath, right?!

Lisa Cox · Jul 10, 2009

Nobody wants to read a book that's all go, go, go. They're going to understand -- and even expect -- your book to have areas of downtime. As long as every single chapter and scene moves the plot forward in some way, it's perfectly acceptable. Just make sure any explanation/introspection is absolutely essential to moving the story on.

Parametric · Jul 10, 2009

What did your betas think?

Cyia · Jul 10, 2009

4&5 is a good place to slow down if 1-3 are full out action.

However, from you've described, you should beware of overpolishing those 1st 3. I've seen a few agent comments about how too many people focus on those, make them shine (or strip them of their voice completely...) and then the rest of the MS is disappointing by comparison.

Mumut · Jul 10, 2009

I wouldn't start sending queries until the whole book was up to scratch. What happens if you're asked for the full ms?

Vimes · Jul 10, 2009

Phew, thanks, I was really starting to worry! So I don't necessarily need to start tearing it apart again just yet... Parametric, it's with my Beta right now and it's something I've asked her to bear in mind, but I am itching to get it sent out... I know, I know, I should put it in a drawer but I swear I've been writing this thing since I was born and I need to hurry up and do something with it!

--

Whoops, Mumnut, I think we cross-posted... I'm happy enough with the rest of the MS, it's just the worry about these 2 chapters because they're so important, and yet I need to slow things down a bit- I guess that's what my Beta is for, letting me know whether or not it works.

Kalyke · Jul 10, 2009

all the chapters are important.

Birol · Jul 10, 2009

Chapters 4 and 5 are as important as Chapters 3 and 6.

Aschenbach · Jul 10, 2009

Vimes said:
...I am itching to get it sent out... I know, I know, I should put it in a drawer but I swear I've been writing this thing since I was born and I need to hurry up and do something with it!

So hurry up and make the rest of the book as good as the first 3 chapters!
Don't waste your book by sending it out before it is the best it can be. If it falls off after 3 chapters it won't be picked up.

MsGneiss · Jul 10, 2009

Vimes, DON'T PANIC. Really, it's alright to have a bit of downtime, and from your description, chapters 4 and 5 are a good place to do that. Just because they are not full out action doesn't mean that they aren't strong, just make sure the narrative is good and the story moves along, and you'll do great.

NeuroFizz · Jul 10, 2009

Use Her Name said:
all the chapters are important.

Birol said:
Chapters 4 and 5 are as important as Chapters 3 and 6.

...and each chapter should shine in its own way. There is a big difference between slowing the pace in a chapter and stalling the forward movement of the story. The former is frequently a good thing if the preceding chapters are at full throttle. The latter is always a bad thing.

TrixieLox · Jul 11, 2009

Like others have said, every chapter is important, every chapter has to be special. Just make them all the best you can make them. I think a decent book in the urban fantasy genre needs to raise the stakes as each chapter goes along. But that's personal opinion I guess (though have heard some agents say this too, including my own)

Charlie Horse · Jul 11, 2009

Vimes said:
Hi folks,
After a major rewrite, I'm just about to start sending out my partial MS to agents. I have polished, polished, polished those first three chapters, and am quite happy with them. They do a bit of scene setting, introduce a bit of mystery, and have a decent amount of action... However, now I am starting to panic about chapters 4 and 5.

Assuming an agent likes chapters 1-3 enough to request the full MS, then the next really important ones are going to be chaps 4 and 5, presumably. I'm writing fantasy (urban) though, so after the action and intrigue of chaps 1-3, I need to start explaining a few things about the way the world works. Now I'm worrying that, by contrast, the pace slows down too much... eek! Do you think an agent will give me a bit of leeway here (especially because it's fantasy)? They need time to catch their breath, right?!

As long as they're well written and have a point you should be fine.

maestrowork · Jul 11, 2009

Every chapter is important.

"Important" doesn't mean they have to be action-packed. But they must continue to tell a compelling story, whether you're moving the plot along, developing the characters, or explaining things. NEVER stop the story to explain things. But it doesn't mean every chapter has to have breakneck action.

It's a mistake to "polish and polish and polish and polish" only the first 3 chapters. You should be polishing the entire book so that the whole thing shines.

When an agent or editor asks for a full, he or she wants to see if you can sustain the quality of writing, not whether every chapter is an action-adventure. Still, if you fail to entice them to turn the page, sooner or later they will stop turning the page. Whether it's chapter 4 or chapter 12. The end goal here is to get representation or publication, so don't let that happen.

Every chapter is important.

Vimes · Jul 11, 2009

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the advice. After having a bit of a think, my gut instinct is that these two chapters could be better. Think I need to condense the chapters/backstory a bit.

Thanks again!

How important are chaps 4 and 5?

Vimes

Lisa Cox

Parametric

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

Vimes

Kalyke

Birol

Around and About

Aschenbach

Moral Marjorie

MsGneiss

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

TrixieLox

Benefactor Member

Charlie Horse

Speaking in metaphors

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Vimes