Fall 2025: First Pages That Grip: Writing the Opening Chapter

Hooked on Fiction – Journey Learning Objectives:

1. Master the Key Elements of a Strong Opening: Learn how to craft a compelling hook, introduce characters, set the scene, and raise the stakes—all within your first chapter.
2. Develop Rich, Motivated Characters: Explore techniques to establish character depth and motivation early in your story.
3. Build Strong Settings and Stakes: Use limited space to create a vivid world and high-stakes tension that draws readers in.
4. Choose the Right Starting Point: Identify where your story should begin to immediately capture interest and momentum.
5. Balance Exposition and Tension: Revise your opening pages to keep readers engaged without overwhelming them.
   
   First Pages That Grip – Course Learning Objectives:
   At the end of this course, participants will have:

1. Craft an engaging opening chapter that introduces compelling characters, establishes stakes, and draws readers in from the very first page.
2. Identify and apply techniques for narrative voice and point of view, using a character’s background and personality to shape authentic, consistent narration.
3. Develop vivid settings that not only ground the reader but also reflect and support the story’s themes and emotional tone.
4. Understand the role of the inciting incident and evaluate when and how to introduce it in relation to the opening chapter.
5. Revise with purpose, using strategies to refine pacing, clarify tone, and ensure the first chapter functions as a strong “hook” for the story ahead.

• Complete at least 2 pair sessions per month and log these in your Portal
• Attend each monthly Journey Meeting (see Engagement Dates )
• Attend one Journey Workshop per cycle (see Engagement Dates )
• Complete all lessons and assignments in the First Pages That Grip course (see Asynchronous Coursework )
• Submit at least one piece through the Submissions section in the Portal to be published on your Author Page

Mentees and mentors in this Journey are required to attend the monthly Journey Meetings and Journey Workshop listed below.

• Saturday, November 15, 2025, 1-3 pm ET
• Saturday, December 13, 2025, 1-3 pm ET
• Saturday, January 24, 2026, 1-3 pm ET

“Present to Editors” Journey Workshop:

• Tuesday January 27, 2026, 4:30 pm ET

If you’re unable to attend a Journey meeting, you must notify your Staff Lead in advance and attend a community event to make up for it—strongly recommended options include Community Studios and Salon Experiences. To find out more about upcoming events check girlswritenow.org/events and visit the Events Page in your Portal to register for upcoming live events.

Complete each lesson in the the following course. As you progress through each lesson, make sure to press “complete” before moving on to the next.

First Pages That Grip: Writing The Opening Chapter
This course is designed to guide you through the essential elements of a powerful opening chapter. Through short lessons, writing prompts, and examples from published works, you’ll explore how to develop complex characters, set up stakes, establish a vivid setting, and create a strong hook—all within the first few pages. Whether you’re drafting something new or revising existing work, this course will help you gain confidence and clarity in your storytelling.

You are required to submit the final version of your first chapter through your Portal by the end of the cycle in order to successfully complete the Hooked on Fiction Journey. You would complete this submission requirement via your Portal Submissions Page. Please see further instructions within the course.