The first five pages should hook the reader. Start with an interesting scene, like a mysterious event or a heated argument. Also, introduce the main character in an engaging way, perhaps through their unique actions or thoughts.
In the first five pages of a novel, you need to establish the world of the story. This could be as simple as showing the daily routine of the protagonist in a way that reveals the norms of the fictional world they live in. Make sure your language is accessible and inviting. Avoid long, convoluted sentences that might put the reader off. A great tip is to show, not tell. Instead of saying a character is sad, describe how they slump their shoulders, avoid eye contact, and their voice quivers. This makes the character more real and the story more engaging from the very start.
Chapter 368, "You Don't Deserve to Be My Mother", is the clearest early answer because it turns Lin Manru's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with I haven't detained anyone, how could I possibly detain him?
Chapter 471, "This is What Happens When You Abandon Sister Li!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Shang Shuyue's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 538, "You Won't Get Angry No Matter What I Ask, Right?", is the clearest early answer because it turns Shang Shaojing's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on Su Yinwan couldn't ignore Jiang Cheng's unusual behavior any longer...
Chapter 725, "Still Want to be the Second Young Master of the Jiang Family!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Lin Manru's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on Though Rong Jusheng is known for being righteous, he's anything but...
Chapter 698, "Brother Yan Was Just Forced!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Shang Shuyue's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Jiang Li immediately asked for some tools and colored paints.
Chapter 576, "The Electronic Pickles are Gone!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Ai Xiaochun's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Tonight, Team Q exceptionally didn't cook.
Chapter 575, "The First Time Threatening Someone Feels Quite Marvelous", is the clearest early answer because it turns Sis's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Is there really no way to get any money out?" After some...
Chapter 731, "Ye Chu Died", is the clearest early answer because it turns Bai Lu's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with Dean, can I really not do it? and closes on She'd been acting off these days.. The key payoff is that the chapter closes with "Why did you come to the sanatorium?
Chapter 707, "I am Daoist Qingfeng", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Li's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Su Yinwan hadn't finished her dessert but, feeling agitated, had...
Chapter 797, "Bu Fan and Bu Chen", is the clearest early answer because it turns Bu Fan's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with The night grew deeper, and while waiting for news, Jiang Li dragged...