How To Write That Opening Chapter

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I need help getting the words flowing.

Feel free to explore all of my free resources to help you get started, but nothing will give you a clearer beginner’s platform than this free downloadable booklet.

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“David has professionally edited four of my books and I’ve been delighted with the results every time. He has a collaborative style that is both supportive and encouraging”

Rob Ashman, No. 1 Bestselling Author

“Less gifted editors - I know because I've met them - attempt to shape a manuscript in their likeness, rather than bringing focus and, where needed, direction to what is already on the page. David brings both”

Owen Mullen, No. 1 Bestselling Author

“I have been a university lecturer for over fifteen years but rarely come across minds like David's nor teachers who can connect with their students with such natural ease.”

Dr. John Keenan, Senior Lecturer in Education, Newman University

“David is an author to watch out for. He really is an outstanding craftsman in the thriller genre. A passionate writer with a gift for the craft”

Andrew Barrett, No.1 Bestselling author

“David is a pleasure to work with. The straightforward and no nonsense approach he uses is something I greatly appreciate. I’m so proud of what we achieved together.”

AB Morgan, critically-acclaimed author

“David is an entertaining and informative speaker and our students have been highly gratified to have an author working at the cutting edge of contemporary crime writing leading their workshop”

Tim Kelly, course director of Professional Creative Writing, Coventry University

“David was named winner of the Most Promising Author of the Year last year. His writing is amazing!”

Rubina Gomes, Book blogger and reviewer

“He cuts through the gristle and gets to the heart of your manuscript, providing an incisive critique of everything from overarching plot structure to syntax”

M.R. Mackenzie, critically-acclaimed Author

“Lyons wrote a high-octane page-turner that’ll leave you guessing right until the end”

Brian Carroll, Irish Mail on Sunday

“David has a real talent as a storyteller. He is a great new voice in fiction..”

John A. Marley, Renowned author

“He is a highly skilled and talented editor. I greatly appreciated his insightful and constructive feedback which both motivated and encouraged me”

CM Stephenson, critically-acclaimed author

“I appreciate David's straightforward approach; he's very clear about why he's suggested changes and does it in a warm and encouraging way. I would certainly recommend him and hope he'll be working on my next book”

AJ Waines, international bestselling author

“David is an inspiring teacher. His contemporary course content is delivered in an accessible, relevant and challenging format to his students. His classes are always interactive and he applies a most conscientious approach”

Niamh Ward, Head of Media, Rathmines College

“David is an inspiring teacher. His Creative Writing teaching is very much centred on the student”

Martin Garrod, Headteacher - King Edward VI school, Camphill

“I consider myself very fortunate to have had David edit my debut novel. He was quick, efficient and reliable, and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend him. .”

CS Savage, critically-acclaimed author

“David’s corrections, observations and advice are immensely helpful, and ultimately greatly enhanced the finished novel. I would therefore highly recommend his services”

NM Brown, critically-acclaimed author

“He doesn’t use any fluffy academic terms, he speaks to you as if you are a peer and he has a great ability to make you believe you really can achieve your dream of becoming an author”

David Newman, former student of David Lyons

“David teaches creative writing through personal experience. He delivered an excellent seminar and workshop on the unreliable narrator at Coventry University.”

Poppy Sall, former student of David Lyons

“Told in short chapters from each character’s viewpoint, David B. Lyons’ debut thriller is neatly plotted and has a devastating twist in its tail”

Myles McWeeney, Literary critic - Irish Independent

“David has a unique narrative approach to his writing that ensures readers are gripped to the page. I swallow his books in one sitting”

Sharon Thompson, No.1 Bestselling author

“His feedback was very helpful - clearly explaining why he was suggesting the changes he had. I was very lucky to work with David and would happily do so again”

Rebecca Muddiman, critically-acclaimed author

“It was great working with David. He's very thorough and professional and made the whole editing experience hugely pleasurable”

Sibel Hodge, Renowned author

"What a fantastic, intense, addictive, and incredibly clever read which definitely left me guessing until the very last page"

The Writing Garnet, Book Reviewer

"If you’re looking for a high quality editor you really don’t need to look any further."

John Nicholl, critically-acclaimed author

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I need help getting the words flowing.

“David has professionally edited four of my books and I’ve been delighted with the results every time. He has a collaborative style that is both supportive and encouraging”

“Less gifted editors - I know because I've met them - attempt to shape a manuscript in their likeness, rather than bringing focus and, where needed, direction to what is already on the page. David brings both”

“I have been a university lecturer for over fifteen years but rarely come across minds like David's nor teachers who can connect with their students with such natural ease.”

“David is an author to watch out for. He really is an outstanding craftsman in the thriller genre. A passionate writer with a gift for the craft”

“David is a pleasure to work with. The straightforward and no nonsense approach he uses is something I greatly appreciate. I’m so proud of what we achieved together.”

“David is an entertaining and informative speaker and our students have been highly gratified to have an author working at the cutting edge of contemporary crime writing leading their workshop”

“David was named winner of the Most Promising Author of the Year last year. His writing is amazing!”

“He cuts through the gristle and gets to the heart of your manuscript, providing an incisive critique of everything from overarching plot structure to syntax”

“Lyons wrote a high-octane page-turner that’ll leave you guessing right until the end”

“David has a real talent as a storyteller. He is a great new voice in fiction..”

“He is a highly skilled and talented editor. I greatly appreciated his insightful and constructive feedback which both motivated and encouraged me”

“I appreciate David's straightforward approach; he's very clear about why he's suggested changes and does it in a warm and encouraging way. I would certainly recommend him and hope he'll be working on my next book”

“David is an inspiring teacher. His contemporary course content is delivered in an accessible, relevant and challenging format to his students. His classes are always interactive and he applies a most conscientious approach”

“David is an inspiring teacher. His Creative Writing teaching is very much centred on the student”

“I consider myself very fortunate to have had David edit my debut novel. He was quick, efficient and reliable, and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend him. .”

“David’s corrections, observations and advice are immensely helpful, and ultimately greatly enhanced the finished novel. I would therefore highly recommend his services”

“He doesn’t use any fluffy academic terms, he speaks to you as if you are a peer and he has a great ability to make you believe you really can achieve your dream of becoming an author”

“David teaches creative writing through personal experience. He delivered an excellent seminar and workshop on the unreliable narrator at Coventry University.”

“Told in short chapters from each character’s viewpoint, David B. Lyons’ debut thriller is neatly plotted and has a devastating twist in its tail”

“David has a unique narrative approach to his writing that ensures readers are gripped to the page. I swallow his books in one sitting”

“His feedback was very helpful - clearly explaining why he was suggesting the changes he had. I was very lucky to work with David and would happily do so again”

“It was great working with David. He's very thorough and professional and made the whole editing experience hugely pleasurable”

"What a fantastic, intense, addictive, and incredibly clever read which definitely left me guessing until the very last page"

"If you’re looking for a high quality editor you really don’t need to look any further."

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If you liked watching this, you might like...

Watch Now

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Watch Now

I need help getting the words flowing.

“David has professionally edited four of my books and I’ve been delighted with the results every time. He has a collaborative style that is both supportive and encouraging”

“Less gifted editors - I know because I've met them - attempt to shape a manuscript in their likeness, rather than bringing focus and, where needed, direction to what is already on the page. David brings both”

“I have been a university lecturer for over fifteen years but rarely come across minds like David's nor teachers who can connect with their students with such natural ease.”

“David is an author to watch out for. He really is an outstanding craftsman in the thriller genre. A passionate writer with a gift for the craft”

“David is a pleasure to work with. The straightforward and no nonsense approach he uses is something I greatly appreciate. I’m so proud of what we achieved together.”

“David is an entertaining and informative speaker and our students have been highly gratified to have an author working at the cutting edge of contemporary crime writing leading their workshop”

“David was named winner of the Most Promising Author of the Year last year. His writing is amazing!”

“He cuts through the gristle and gets to the heart of your manuscript, providing an incisive critique of everything from overarching plot structure to syntax”

“Lyons wrote a high-octane page-turner that’ll leave you guessing right until the end”

“David has a real talent as a storyteller. He is a great new voice in fiction..”

“He is a highly skilled and talented editor. I greatly appreciated his insightful and constructive feedback which both motivated and encouraged me”

“I appreciate David's straightforward approach; he's very clear about why he's suggested changes and does it in a warm and encouraging way. I would certainly recommend him and hope he'll be working on my next book”

“David is an inspiring teacher. His contemporary course content is delivered in an accessible, relevant and challenging format to his students. His classes are always interactive and he applies a most conscientious approach”

“David is an inspiring teacher. His Creative Writing teaching is very much centred on the student”

“I consider myself very fortunate to have had David edit my debut novel. He was quick, efficient and reliable, and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend him. .”

“David’s corrections, observations and advice are immensely helpful, and ultimately greatly enhanced the finished novel. I would therefore highly recommend his services”

“He doesn’t use any fluffy academic terms, he speaks to you as if you are a peer and he has a great ability to make you believe you really can achieve your dream of becoming an author”

“David teaches creative writing through personal experience. He delivered an excellent seminar and workshop on the unreliable narrator at Coventry University.”

“Told in short chapters from each character’s viewpoint, David B. Lyons’ debut thriller is neatly plotted and has a devastating twist in its tail”

“David has a unique narrative approach to his writing that ensures readers are gripped to the page. I swallow his books in one sitting”

“His feedback was very helpful - clearly explaining why he was suggesting the changes he had. I was very lucky to work with David and would happily do so again”

“It was great working with David. He's very thorough and professional and made the whole editing experience hugely pleasurable”

"What a fantastic, intense, addictive, and incredibly clever read which definitely left me guessing until the very last page"

"If you’re looking for a high quality editor you really don’t need to look any further."