Do you think it's too jolting to have the first 2 chapters set in the past, around 5-8 years before?

[Guest]

The first two chapters are there to show what the characters motivation is, and why she believes the things she does. Or do you think it would be best to keep it to one chapter? Maybe a prologue instead?

It's a high fantasy.

[Rebecca]

Look at the film Up - if you’re Pixar story telling good, then go for it. But I’d suggest one chapter rather than two. And I’d start the very first line on a hook and end the chapter on a strong hook so it’s worth the reader going into chapter 2 with new characters and wanting to know what happened to everyone in chapter 1.

Backstory isn’t as popular these days, so if your past story doesn’t lend itself to drama/hooks, I’d echo above and suggest weaving it into the main story.

[Carrie]

You can do that but I prefer sprinkling in back story periodically through flashbacks right when you need it.

[Shayne]

If it's that far before the main story, that would be suitable for a prologue.

[Jannetta]

I have seen a backstory done in the first chapter, then second chapter current time, then backstory chapter, and so on.... that works well.