This is K.M. Wyland and you are listening to the 4233 episode of the Helping Writers Become Authors Podcast.

A frequent question I'm asked is how to defeat Writers Block.

My response is that Writers Block is always the result of one of two problems, the first of which is a story block, and second

of which is a personal block. Lately I've been going through a bit of the latter.

After being away from my writing for almost two weeks while traveling and then spending another two weeks editing during all of which I had a nasty bout of laryngitis.

I'm still working on getting my energy back up to speed and it can't be soon enough because

lack of mental and physical energy can definitely take its toll on writing

inspiration. The good news though is that at least I know what's going on. I'm not saying I'm blocked, but there's a lack of motivation.

And it's good to realize that it's coming from legitimate reasons in my life,

and not for any great and mysterious reason under the scary label of

Writers Block. And now I hope you enjoyed this week's podcast, your ultimate first chapter checklist part one, hooking readers.

Your story's first chapter is one of the most important pieces in your story. Not only does it provide the foundation for a solid story form to come,

it is also your first and only chance to peak readers curiosity and suck them in.

For better or worse, the first chapter is also one of the most

challenging parts of any story. There's just so much that has to be set up in these opening moments.

Too bad, we don't have a first chapter checklist, huh?

Well, today we do.

Because I often comment about the whole list of stuff a first chapter must accomplish,

I've gotten a lot of requests for a post that would provide that full first chapter checklist.

Like every chapter to follow, your first chapter chapter checklist.

Like every chapter to follow, your first chapter must fulfill all the usual requirements of a chapter.

Introducing the scene, the character's current orientation within the setting and their personal goals for this particular

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