First Chapters: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

We're back with book five!

Abigail sits down with certified editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo to discuss and analyze the first chapter of HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX.

Abigail and Savannah return with a discussion on how the first chapter in the OOTP sets up expectations for the big picture and creates, to the reader's discretion, the most exciting first chapter in the Harry Potters series yet. 

Once again, Abigail and Savannah use tools like the seven key questions to ask about first chapters (to analyze the big picture), taken from Paula Munier's THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO BEGINNINGS, and Story Grid's five commandments of storytelling (to analyze the scene's "workability"). 

Along the way, Savannah and Abigail share perspectives and insights on important topics like:

• What is the inciting incident in the scene?  
• How various progressive complications (or conflicts) raise the stakes throughout the scene (and set up expectations for high stakes in the big picture) 
• Why readers need to care about the character in order for life or death stakes to work 
• How Harry's character is changing in big ways (and why this works better in YA vs. MG) 
• How Harry and Sirius' relationship evolves, even from chapter one
• Plus more! 

What do you think makes up the first chapter of OOTP? We'd love to hear your thoughts. 

P.S. Don't miss out on Savannah's amazing podcast: FICTION WRITING MADE EASY

Connect with us:

Twitter: @abigailkperry | @savannahgilbo

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo

Website: www.abigailkperry.com  | https://www.savannahgilbo.com/