Beginngs

I always struggle with the firt chapter of a novel.  Over the years I both completely discarded and re-written the first chapter of MURPHY'S TROUBLES many, many times.  At a Writer's Institute Conference I learned that in the modern novel the first chapter needs to introduce the primary conflict of the story and let the reader know what the protagonist must have or do.  In the first chapter of MURPHY'S TROUBLES, Ian Murphy is depressed and obsessed with guilt for his role in many deaths from 30 years' of IRA activity.  Ian tries to commit suicide by driving his car into a British barricade.   He lives through the experience and the novel is his story of seeking atonement for his life in the IRA.