You probably didn't get my next post that explained I did not mean a "clone" but more of a substitute figure. I like your new idea.
1. How much should you put in your first chapter? I am writing an alternative Civil War fiction where Jackson survives the Battle of Chancellorsville. In the chapter I have Jackson survive, a description of the Army of Northern Virginia, the terrain in Virginia in which the two armies are struggling and how they arrived in their present circumstances, and finally a brief history of Jackson.
2. How much history should you add?
At first, I tried to write it for the Civil War buff who did not have to have things explained to him. But, I had two friends (non Civil War Buffs) who read the first two chapters and said that because there is no history, they can't understand what is going on. So, I added history. Now, I had another friend (a historian) say that the history is "rote". That a Civil War Buff would be bored and not continue not because it was not well written but because he already knows these things. The history is not long and I really did not think it was "rote." (My seven drafts were rote but by time I got to the 10th, I thought it pretty darn good)
3. I was told I needed to infuse my knowledge, findings, and interpretations into the book. What the person suggested was that I step out of the narrative and add my insights. But, am I not doing that by changing history and having the narrative continue? Everything that happens after the 18th North Carolina misses is based on my knowledge, findings (lots of research went into the story) and intepretations.
Can't I have the characters do that for me. Speak my findings and interpretations?
I have read many, many books and I do not mind if a book takes two or thee chapters to get going. But mine does not do that... by page three Jackson is not wounded and the Battle of Chancellorsville changes too.
Thank you for answering these questions. I value your input. You are published and this is really my first serious attempts at writing. I have done plays for a local theater and one musical as well, but this is a book that I want to write.