I just taught a class on Beginning Pages recently, so I’ve been thinking a lot about first lines.
Stephen King had something to say about the magnitude of a novel’s first line:
“An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story,” he said.
“It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.”
Preach it, Steve.
I’m not saying a killer first line will land you an agent, get your book sold, or make it a NYT bestseller. But it sure won’t hurt your chances. And I’d make a case that a book that achieves all the above, more often than not, has a great first line.
Why is that? A first line is a promise to the reader, telling them what kind of book this is. What your voice is. Maybe who the main character is. A good first line will pull a reader into a story.
But how do you do that? Here are some suggestions of where to start:
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
You just know from those 23 words, how Jane really feels about this ‘universal truth’. And you could guess how she’ll handle it in the book, right? Jane has just shown you her voice - snark, Victorian style. BTW, many will argue to the death that this was the best first line ever written. Let’s not go there – we've a lot more to do.
“When the doorbell rings at three in the morning, it's never good news.” Anthony Horowitz, Stormbreaker
“It was a wrong number that started it, the telephone ringing three times in the dead of night, and the voice on the other end asking for someone he was not.” Paul Auster, City of Glass
“Unlike the typical bluesy earthy folksy denim-overalls noble-in-the-face-of-cracker-racism aw shucks Pulitzer-Prize-winning protagonist mojo magic black man, I am not the seventh son of the seventh son of the seventh son.” Paul Beatty, The White Boy Shuffle
“Once upon a time, in a far-off land, I was kidnapped by a gang of fearless yet terrified young men with so much impossible hope beating inside their bodies it burned their very skin and strengthened their will right through their bones.” Roxane Gay, An Untamed State
“He—for there could be no doubt of his sex, though the fashion of the time did something to disguise it—was in the act of slicing at the head of a Moor which swung from the rafters.” Virginia Woolf, Orlando
“The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we understood the gravity of our situation.” Donna Tartt, The Secret History
“What makes Iago evil? some people ask. I never ask.” Joan Didion, Play It As It Lays
“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.” J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye
“Don’t look for dignity in public bathrooms.” Vitor LaValle, Big Machine
“Your father picks you up from prison in a stolen Dodge Neon, with an 8-ball of coke in the glove compartment and a hooker named Mandy in the back seat.” Dennis Lehane, Until Gwen
“They shoot the white girl first.” Toni Morrison, Paradise
“There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.” C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Here’s mine, from The Sweet Spot:
The grief counselor told the group to be grateful for what they had left. After lots of considering, Charla Rae decided she was grateful for the bull semen.
I screwed up with that line. I wasn’t going for funny. I didn’t even know it was funny until, when I read it at a writer’s retreat, Tessa Dare snorted wine through her nose. See, bucking bull semen is a legitimate industry – just as racehorse semen is. And Charla Rae owns a ranch where they raise and train bucking bulls. The book is emotional, and deals with grief and forgiveness. So, in this case, the first line breaks its promise to readers (unless they know the bull industry). But you know what? When people meet me, they mention that line. They actually remember it. So I can live with that.
I may not have the perfect first line when I start a book, but if I don’t, it niggles at the back of my mind until I come up with one – even if it’s after I’ve written half the book!
I knew I didn’t have the best first line for my current WIP – it’s a hard-hitting, right to die novel. Here was my first shot at it:
Funny, how knowing the exact time and place of my death makes me exquisitely aware of being alive.
It’s not bad; it raises a question in the reader’s mind. It’s in the voice of an upper-middle class scientist and professor, which the protagonist is.
But I knew it wasn’t a killer first line. Enter the brilliant Margie Lawson. On a Writer’s Cruise (yes, it was as amazing as that sounds, and they're having another this year! You can check it out here), she worked with me on my first scene. Together, we came up with the first line:
Today, death rides a bicycle. My bicycle.
Oh yeah.
So, do you have a favorite first line for us?
Either one of yours, or a memorable one from another author?
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Marley was dead, to begin with. -- A Christmas Carol
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. -- A Tale of Two Cities
It was a bright, cold day in April, and all the clocks were striking thirteen. -- 1984
It was a dark and stormy night. Suddenly, a shot rang out! -- Snoopy typing on top of his doghouse. I'm not sure where this originally comes from, but it's just a reminder that not all memorable first lines are good.
I didn't remember the beginning of A Christmas Carol, Joseph! Love the Snoopy line, too! Won't you share one of yours with us?
I struggle with openings all the time. Because my doctor helped with research for one of my books, I gave him a copy. He admits he never read it (not his genre by far), but he DID read the opening line, and he still mentions it every time I have an appointment. I don't think it's memorable to any one but him, but I'll take it.
From Dangerous Connections: "No matter what Jinx’s Klingon-spouting nephew said, today was not a good day to die, even if it wasn’t his own ass on the line.":
I LIKE that line, Terry! Raises questions that will make the reader flip the page!
From The Cheshire Cheese Cat (Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright and Barry Moser)
He was the best of toms. He was the worst of toms.
Clever, Jon!
I'm still hashing out mine, but I'm aiming for something along these lines:
"The drasth drifted through the air above the landing field, its body a bright blue squiggle between outstretched wings, and Somber wished desperately that he was still riding it."
It's a fantasy book, obviously.
Michael, great visual! I think you can cut, 'though the air' - read it without it - I don't think you need it.
I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills.
I never read the book - loved the movie!
The first line of my current project is dialogue.
“If you’re going to nag me, you’re going to have marry me.”
Like it, Carrien!
I'm still tweaking the opening line of mine, but this is what I've come up with so far for Shattered Glass.
The universe was conspiring against Harlow Shaw.
Jess - this guy has a story, right? What if you told us some of that? Like (I know this won't fit your book, but it's just an example), 'So far today, he'd crashed his car, gotten fired, and dropped scalding copy in his lap-the Universe was...'. What do you think?
I love first lines! Here are a few of my favs.
Juliet Naked, by Nick Hornby
They had flown from England to Minneapolis to look at a toilet.
Risk, by Dick Francis
Thursday, March 17, I spent the morning in anxiety, the afternoon in ecstasy, and the evening unconscious.
Ten Big Ones, by Janet Evanovich (2004)
The way I see it, life is a jelly doughnut. You don’t really know what it’s about until you bite into it. And then, just when you decide it’s good, you drop a big glob of jelly on your best T-shirt.
Fear No Evil by Allison Brennan (2007)
The sick and depraved had voted: death by stabbing.
Back When We Were Grownups, Anne Tyler (2001)
Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person.
I love that Anne Tyler first line! I have that book, but I just haven't read it yet. I need to move it up the pile! 🙂
Spurvis - those are incredible!
Laura, great advice, as always! Thanks.
WIP first lines from BLOSSOM ON THE ROAD OF DREAM: “Do you think we’ll get away with it?” My voice wasn’t the least bit wobbly, though my stomach jerked with seismic shocks.
WIP first lines from BOMBSHELLS AND BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS: “Me and Marilyn Monroe. Me? Penny Parker?” The words ricocheted in Penny’s head like a bullet in one of her favorite spaghetti westerns.
Nice, Chris!!!
I struggle with beginnings...am beginning planning for a new story. So far:
"Tears burn. She could almost see the words 'The End' floating behind them as they walked quickly away to his car, Stu holding Jade's hand as Jade clutched her teddy bear. Neither looked back. Why would they?"
Celia, it's intriguing - but remember the reader doesn't know where they are, or who the people are. How old is Jade? Is she a child? the teddy bear is a hint, but we don't know what to picture. Walked quickly away from what? Do you see that we have no idea of where we are?
Love the 'neither looked back. Why would they?'
I usually give way too much info, so here I have clearly swung to the other extreme. Eventually I'll balance out. I also really liked the last two sentences, and wondered about starting with them, and then... Damn, then I only think of backstory for a few paragraphs. Sigh. Thanks for your comments, Laura.
You guys almost always post a blog on my own personal "writing struggle of the week" here. It's like therapy. Thanks for this one, Laura.
Of course, this week, I've been struggling hard with going back over that first line. It nags at me daily and I've googled so many other great first lines from just about every genre, hoping they'd trigger something that rings true for my story or inspire something to make me have an "aha" moment. Hasn't happened yet, but I've read a ton of other great first lines and I love Stephen King's quote on that. I try to keep it at the forefront of my search for a first line. It's an invitation to hear a story.
I think first lines are like love (and that's not just because I like to read / write romance). You can position yourself to be open to recognizing what a great opportunity looks like, but it often happens when you're not expecting it. Anything too planned or manipulated doesn't create a good first line or beginning of a relationship and you don't always know what you're looking for until it clicks.
Ok. Going to go work on my writing. No more romantic musings on first lines for now.
Rachel, that's exactly right. It's like when you're shopping for something - I was shopping for new dishes once - and it took me two years. I couldn't have told you what I was looking for, but I knew I'd know it when I saw it. And I did!
Hope you find your dishes soon!
Great post! I'm inspired 🙂 One of my favorite opening lines comes from Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips:
It wasn't every day a guy saw a headless beaver marching down the side of the road, not even in Dean Robillard's larger-than-life world.
Tantalizing 🙂
For my WIP, The Beast Within:
Her skin was soft. Tender as the belly of a kitten. And just as fragile.
Jackie - I've heard that first line before - not one you can forget!
On yours, do you need, 'was soft'? It's telling, and the description next, 'shows' it much better!
Thanks Laura! You're right, it's much better without 🙂
Here's a memorable opening to a terrific memoir by John Sellers called The Old Man and the Swamp:
"I have nothing against snakes, provided that they're hundreds of miles away from me. And I have nothing against my dad, given the same set of conditions."
So very clever, Bryan. I see why you remembered it...you don't, by any chance, have a thing about snakes, do you? 🙂
When I read this, I thought of Indiana Jones.
As a grey dawn broke over the ancient fort that overlooked the seaport of Havengard in the domain of Westholm in the land of Setenkar, Prester Raba Ben Hornstraw, who had not taken food for three days, had one more task to perform before his body could be granted its final rest.
Whoa, Another! You throw so much at us, so fast, that I'm lost! How about starting simple, and then adding bits, to orient the reader. I think you can do it easily by reordering. How about,
'Ben Hornstraw hadn't taken food in three days, had one task to perform before his body could have it's final rest.'
Pull us into the story - by showing us the character, and telling us something intriguing first - then set the scene. What do you think?
Here is the opening line to my WIP. Grace is lost in the bush after surviving a terrifying car accident. She is about to be attacked by wild dogs. Maybe I need to add some more intensity to it. (By the way, how do we get our photo on here? Thanks. 🙂 )
“Ouch!” Delicate beauty of the tiny, orange and yellow lantana flowers had caught Grace’s eye, but the short, jagged thorns on the overhanging branches tore at her bare skin.
Julie - I love that she's lost in the bush after a car accident - those are high stakes! Why not put some of that in your first line? We'd HAVE to read on!
I'm thinking of a few words or phrases in italics of her sketchy memory of the accident. EG, The scream. The dust. The tumbling. The pain. The petrol. The explosion. (Something to that effect.)
Yes! That would raise a question in the reader's mind, and make them read on!
My all-time absolute opening line is from "Secrets of the Dead" by Caleb Pirtle III. It is: Even the late October sky wore black to her funeral." Near the end of the book, there's a very similar, though different, matching line.
Now THERE is an excellent first line, jtzortman! Love it!
This is from my book, "All My Father's Secrets" -
I know something's happened as soon as I see Lachie's crapped out car fishtailing up the gravel driveway, flinging stones and flashing it's headlights at couples hooking up in the bushes.
When I read your opening line Laura, I didn't actually laugh. Not because it's not great (which it is) or because I know anything about bull riding but because I know a little about the dairy industry. I instantly thought she must be a farmer with cows to inseminate.
You're my peep, Littlemissw! You're the FIRST! 😉
I love your line - it leaves a great question in the reader's mind. I think it can be tightened just a bit though. Short is punchy. How about:
'I know something happened when Lachie's crapped out car fishtails up the gravel drive, flashing headlights and filching stones at the couples hooking up in the bushes.'
What do you think?
Such a helpful post with a full critique group in the comments! These lines from my WIP were originially in the middle of a chapter. A great editor suggested pulling them to the front:
Madge rang the bell of the Marvel house and pulled back her shoulders, bracing for whatever might come. She hoped these people weren’t huggers.
Love the humor hit - and way to clue in the reader to a clue about the portage's character that I'll bet is prominent in the novel!
I think it may have more impact if she tightened her stomach - I think it fits better with 'bracing'.
Better? Your choice. Nice first line!
Thanks, Laura. I'll work with that.
wonderful post
denise
Some say no one is there. I know He is real. I long for Him. I find Him in ordinary days.
Very pretty, Judy!
J.D. Salinger gets my top vote! I love to play with opening lines. The favorite from my books is this one: "With a flick of her mermaid's tail, Shelly emerged from the deep coastal waters holding the dead body of victim number two."
Great post, Laura!
I not only like the line, Deb - I loved the book!!! Well done.
The only opening line I ever remember is from Stephen King. The Dark Tower.
"The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed."
I'll share a couple of my WIP opening lines.
From Charlotte's Shadow:
Charley picked up her makeup brush and tried to hide the evidence of the night before, the bruise left by her husband's fist.
From Katherine's Consequence:
If only Katherine had not stopped to look. But she did look, and now two people were dead and her life had changed forever.
From (as yet untitled)
Suzie was dressed to kill. Tight fitting top, lycra leggings, rubber boots. Around her waist a utility belt contained the tools of her trade. Restraints, bone saw, scalpels.
Wow, Allison - great lines, but I like your last, best!
I'd make one tiny change: 'the utility belt around her waist contained....' It's a bit smoother, don't you think?
I love first lines!!! And there are some amazing ones in the comments. Wow you guys!!
I love our smart followers...
Here is mine, from Operation Mermaid: The Project Kraken Incident.
Agent Starling and I went to the residence of Michelle Bergin,
[address redacted], San Diego, CA. This was the day after the Great
Transformation. We were informed by the Secretary that there were 4
new mermaids in San Diego that required our personal attention.
We knocked on the door.
Wow, fascinating, imc - have you met Debbie Herbert? (her comment is above). She also writes mermaids!
I've met her through Facebook. I've reviewed her books.
Thanks, Laura. I've updated my WIP.
I think this goes with your post.
Great post! This is from my current WIP --
Miriam Jones didn’t want to die, but the threat implied that something would happen to her beautiful grandbabies or that she herself would suffer—IF—she didn’t do what she was told.
Kori - you say she didn't want to die, then imply that it would be worse if something happened to her grandbabies. If that's true, why not make it clearer - Miriam Jones didn't particularly want to die, but when the rest implied something would happen to her beautiful grandbabies...
See what I mean? Miriam would have our sympathy right away, because she cares more about her grandbabies than her own health.
Would that fit with your story?
Luv this post! Those are some killer first lines!
Love the focus on those first lines! And here are two books I bought on the strength of their first lines (and the rest of the books delivered):
"Trevor Dunham talked quite a bit about his man part before he drowned." - THE LIFEBOAT CLIQUE, Kathy Parks, YA contemporary
"Birthday parties are a lot like pelvic exams—a little uncomfortable, a little awkward, a little too personal, but an unavoidable yearly nuisance—like a Pap Smear, only with presents." - THE BEST MEDICINE, Tracy Brogan, contemporary romance
And from my novel out on submission, SHARING HUNTER, a YA contemporary:
"When Chloe suggested sharing a boyfriend our last semester of high school, I didn’t completely freak."
OMG, Julie those are amazing! Including yours!
“It’s hotter’n hell out here,” Bonnie yelled at Hank as she came out the screen door, letting it slam shut behind her.
“I bet it ain’t,” he said, and laughed as he reached for the glass of iced tea from her.
Lines from a flash fiction story I wrote, taken from a conversation I overheard. I may write half a dozen using the lines of dialogue. I love those lines!
Cute, Barbara!
My favorite is from Alice Sebold's The Almost Moon.
"When all is said and done, killing my mother came easily."
Boom!
No kidding, K.L. You'd just have to read on, wouldn't you?
I so regret I cannot remember the title or the author (though he was prolific), but my fav.first line is "I became a sword swallower the night Flamo the Magnificent blew himself up."
Love this one, Jeanne! I am still chuckling, which isn't an easy thing to get me to do this afternoon.
It always makes me laugh, too, Fae--even first thing in the morning.
Thanks for the great lesson, Laura. And for sharing your expertise with suggestions to improve our first lines!
[…] https://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/09/nail-that-first-line-2/ Do you have a killer first line? […]
[…] are hard. Laura Drake tells us how to nail that first line, Mary Kole describes how to successfully weave information into later books in a series, and Ruth […]
[…] Nail That First Line! […]
I LOVE reading about writing craft and I've always had a sort of "fetish" for opening sentences so LOVE this article 🙂 Excellent stuff! 😀
Thanks so much Laura. I love this post. It really has the creative juices flowing. Here's my first line from a WIP on a children's book about Buckminster Fuller:
"As a kid, Bucky never ran the fastest, jumped the farthest, or got the best grades."
[…] the very beginning, or the very end of a book. (I wrote a blog on first sentences. You can read it here.) Why? Well, I have to admit, as an author, I spend more time thinking/editing/writing/crafting […]
Laura,
What a great post! I read both this one and your Last Line post that you posted today April 21st. Awesome!
I know you're asking for first lines but I wanted to mention these two first paragraphs
of White Oleander. I have always been struck by them:
“The Santa Anas blew in hot from the desert, shriveling the last of the spring grass into whiskers of pale straw. Only the oleanders thrived, their delicate poisonous blooms, their dagger green leaves. We could not sleep in the hot dry nights, my mother and I. I woke up at midnight to find her bed empty. I climbed to the roof and easily spotted her blond hair like a white flame in the light of the three-quarter moon.
“”Oleander time,” she said. “Lovers who kill each other now will blame it on the wind.” She held up her large hand and spread the fingers, let the desert dryness lick through. My mother was not herself in the time of the Santa Anas. I was twelve years old and I was afraid for her. I wished things were back the way they had been, that Barry was still here, that the wind would stop blowing.
Also, the last lines of this book, tie into these paragraphs. Beautiful way to poetically weave it into the book and end with it too.
You're right about that, Wendy. Absolutely gorgeous writing!
Oh my! Why doesn't WordPress have a "Love it" button?