How many times do you think you've re-written your first chapter?

I rewrote it after I finished the first draft proper. Then I tried leaving it out and starting somewhere else. then I rewrote it about five times even changing the locale and the supporting characters, then I used the last one I wrote and just did small tweaks.

I've never rewritten a first chapter.

In my first novel I wound up writing two preceding chapters, bumping it to 3rd. In my current draft I am writing, chapter 1 is now one scene in chapter 9. I've found that beginnings and endings are arbitrary to begin with. If you get stuck on a starting point, simply pick another point in time or location.

At least thirty times.

I'd say the fundamentals of it have had five iterations. After word-smithing to hell and back, and it still not working, I try a new basic first chapter.

I just recently opened a new Scrivner project. Inside are three files:

Chapter 1
Chapter One
Real Chapter One

NathanCosby said:

I just recently opened a new Scrivner project. Inside are three files:

Chapter 1
Chapter One
Real Chapter One

Click to expand...

LOL Been there. Done that.