Second Guessing Myself

I finally finished the revision of the first chapter. Finally! Yes, it took me a week. I'm really hoping I can speed up the process a bit more for future chapters.

But this first chapter? A bit problematic.

When I wrote it, I was sure I was being very clever. Perhaps even brilliant! Now? Um..... no?

This is where the second guessing comes in.

I wrote the first chapter as a "stand alone" chapter of sorts. It functions as a prologue without really being a prologue. The rest of the novel trades off between two POV characters, but this first chapter was written from the POV of a secondary character who would afterward fade into the realm of secondary-ness.

It had its purpose, really. It was a way to introduce the reader to the world to which the main characters awaken. It takes place while they are in a state of stasis. It gives the reader an advantage over the main characters, because unlike them, the reader knows something of this world.

Unfortunately, it also moves rather slowly. And I'm not entirely sure it is necessary. On an excitement scale of 1-10, it barely makes a 5. I could stir it a bit and make it more exciting. I could put the POV character in greater peril- or put the sleeping main characters in greater peril (they just won't know it). But my instinct tells me that to do so might give too much importance to that secondary character from the get go, and only confuse the reader.

So now I'm wondering..... do I ditch the first chapter entirely?

It seems rather drastic. But everything I've learned about the editing process would indicate I need to be willing to make drastic cuts.

So here I am. Considering. Pondering.

Will I do it?

Let me get back to you on that.