The most prime real estate in your novel is the opening.
Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely important points throughout, but that
opening really has to rock to grab the attention of the reader. So, no pressure or anything J.
There are a few things you might think about while working on your opening
line, and the first 200 or so words, to help you really have an opening that
screams “you have to keep reading!”
Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely important points throughout, but that
opening really has to rock to grab the attention of the reader. So, no pressure or anything J.
There are a few things you might think about while working on your opening
line, and the first 200 or so words, to help you really have an opening that
screams “you have to keep reading!”
~Your opening, from the first line, to the setting of the
first scene in the opening hundred words, is all about hooking your reader in.
To start with, you should know what would make you read on—what snags your
attention as a reader? One of my favorite things to do at a bookstore is chose
random titles within my favorite genre and read the openings. Which ones are
mind-blowing and force me to spend way too much money on books? Which ones
leave me thinking I’ll grab the book some other time? Another great spot to spy
on openings are some of the competitions on the web—tons of openings and lots of fun to see
what works.
first scene in the opening hundred words, is all about hooking your reader in.
To start with, you should know what would make you read on—what snags your
attention as a reader? One of my favorite things to do at a bookstore is chose
random titles within my favorite genre and read the openings. Which ones are
mind-blowing and force me to spend way too much money on books? Which ones
leave me thinking I’ll grab the book some other time? Another great spot to spy
on openings are some of the competitions on the web—tons of openings and lots of fun to see
what works.
Once you’ve read a lot, ask the all important question: WHY? This will probably have something
to do with a few different things:
to do with a few different things:
~Setting the tone.
The first line must set the right tone for the rest of the book. This comes
down partly to the voice of the novel and author, as well as the feel of the
book. A dark urban fantasy would probably not want to start off with an upbeat,
fluffy opening, or a contemporary romance probably wouldn’t begin with a grisly
murder scene. While both might grab the reader’s attention, choosing an opening
for shock value doesn’t help when a few pages in the reader get a dramatic
shift in tone and sets the book aside.
The first line must set the right tone for the rest of the book. This comes
down partly to the voice of the novel and author, as well as the feel of the
book. A dark urban fantasy would probably not want to start off with an upbeat,
fluffy opening, or a contemporary romance probably wouldn’t begin with a grisly
murder scene. While both might grab the reader’s attention, choosing an opening
for shock value doesn’t help when a few pages in the reader get a dramatic
shift in tone and sets the book aside.
~Setting up the main character(s). The reader wants to know who they’re going to be reading
about. Opening with other people who won’t play the central roles in the novel doesn’t allow for them to draw us in, and it kind of amounts to a bait-and-switch :D. Let the MC’s voice shine through from the very start.
about. Opening with other people who won’t play the central roles in the novel doesn’t allow for them to draw us in, and it kind of amounts to a bait-and-switch :D. Let the MC’s voice shine through from the very start.
~Beginning in the right spot. This is probably the hardest thing to really figure out. On one hand, opening with some action is a great hook, but also has the potential to completely confuse the reader. Finding the right balance of the two can be difficult, but asking yourself this question might help: When do things really begin to change for my main character? Then back up in time a little and go from there. At least, this is what works for me!
~Know the no-no’s.
Waking up, looking into a mirror, running away—there are a ton of lists around the web of openings that have become cliché. If you must use them, be sure to do something unique or unexpected with it.
Waking up, looking into a mirror, running away—there are a ton of lists around the web of openings that have become cliché. If you must use them, be sure to do something unique or unexpected with it.
Possibly the most frustrating part about openings is how subjective they can be. Some openings work for some people, but not others. Remembering that everything is subjective in writing is something that is good to remember, and may save you some heartache.
Here are a few first lines that I particularly love:
“It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.” The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (so telling and so bleak. Iam in love with Steifvater’s writing!)
“Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.” Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling (it’s the “thank you very much” in this one that not only makes me want to laugh, but begs the question of why they’re so concerned about being normal)
“The first time, November 6 to be exact, I wake up at two a.m. with a tingling in my head
like tiny fireflies dancing behind my eyes.” Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (I love the voice in this and the details
of the date and fireflies)
like tiny fireflies dancing behind my eyes.” Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (I love the voice in this and the details
of the date and fireflies)
“I greeted his tombstone the way I always did-with a swift kick.” Colors
Like Memories by me :D
Like Memories by me :D
What are some of your favorite opening lines and scenes?
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