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Romance is one of the most popular writing genres. As a result there is an abundance of authors trying to get their foot into this particular door. One of the major arts to succeeding in this quest is the quality of that first crucial chapter.

The first chapter is the doorway that you will open to allow the reader to start on the romantic journey with you and, as it is often said "first impressions count". Therefore you have to decorate the chapter with words, scenes and characters that will encourage the reader to step into the world of romantic imagination that is your story, whilst at the same time giving a hint regarding what the story will be about, whilst not revealing all of the plot.

One of the most important factors of the first chapter of a romantic novel is to create the hook that will keep the readers attention; those comments and descriptions that will give them pause to think, "this looks like it could develop into something interesting." Without this enticement, the reader is likely to lose interest. For example, if your novel is about a lady going through personal relationship trauma and her emotional life being saved by a shining knight, you may want to set the foundation for that trauma and give some inkling as to where the future love interest is likely to be found. The same is true if your story is about a love story that goes bad.

Scene setting at the start of a romantic novel is also effective. If the novel is to set against a historical background, then this should be made obvious early on in the book. Similarly, if it is to be set in a particular geographic or global location, the reader should be treated to a written imagery of that area, which they will use for future reference within the remainder of the novel. The same advice stand where the setting is related to a particular commercial environment, for instance a specific organisation. The reader's attention should be drawn to these elements of the plot the opening pages.

Amongst the most important elements for the beginning of a romantic novel is to introduce at least some of the principal characters, particularly those who will play an important role throughout the storyline. This not only means describing their physical appearance, but also giving the reader some idea of what these people think and feel. Building well-rounded characters early on in a romantic novel that the reader can relate to, either because of their likable qualities, or because the reader has experience of men

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