Introducing the hero first?

Question

In the book I'm writing, the first character I introduce dies before the end of the chapter. She is the girlfriend of my hero and is setting up their date before her untimely end.The hero is also there, preparing in his own way so the chapter itself swaps between the two before the disaster occurs.When I read it out to the writing group I'm in, one of the others said they didn't like it. Since I'd introduced the female first, he thought she was the hero and found it unsatisfactory that she'd died.I like it this way because I think it has more of an impact but I'm interested to know. Should I introduce my hero first?

Answer 1

I have read books which begin speaking about someone who isn't the "hero", so to speak, or even begin with characters that only provide context for the main plot of the story (typically this is in the prologue). Without reading what you've written so far, I can only assume how this choice may work out to readers. If you've made it so she seems like the hero and there isn't much focus on the boyfriend as being important, that could be confusing as your writing group's members seem to be suggesting. However, if it is easily known or at least implied that someone else (they boyfriend) will be your book's focus, tat could help her death become more impactful, especially if she is his "call to action".