I mentioned a couple of days ago I had started writing a new book. As I said, I love writing the first chapters, because they are the freshest in my mind. I can see the book’s potential and I always think, this will be my best yet. And then I write several pages, and am reminded, time and again, that the first chapters are actually the hardest. Why? Because I have to get the tone and spirit of the book just right. I have to find a way to grab your attention and keep it. I have to introduce characters you will like. So even though I like writing the first couple of chapters, it’s a safe bet I will rewrite them several times over.
P.S. This is not my manuscript (mine is all on computer), it is a J.G. Ballard’s manuscript for Crash. I’m not the only one who does this 
Julia, I’m so glad to hear someone else revises the first chapters several times. The story I’m finishing now took several attempts to get the first 1/3 right. Of course, this is the first manuscript I’ve written on deadline, too, so that might have had something to do with my mental state.
I don’t know Tracey–if you’re like me, that never changes. The deadlines or the revising, LOL