The beginning of your story should answer three questions, so you want to address them on the first page, and use them to build the first section of your outline.
- What’s the story about?
- What does the reader need to know to understand it?
- How much does the reader know already?
Your first two chapters should set up the context. Maybe a preface or introduction if you can squeeze it in. But really, you don’t have long to get the reader invested.
Assume your back cover copy has gotten the reader to open to page 1. They’re primed for you to ‘wow’ them. Use a barbed hook to pull them along through the opening pages. Show them that they made the right decision to crack the cover — because you’ve got something to say, you’ve got a story to tell, and you’re talking straight to them.
Getting them hooked is one thing. Interested is another. But really getting the reader to the point where they can say to someone “I’ve read a couple chapters, and I really like it so far” — that’s the first solid milestone.