Nothing is more frightening than a blinking cursor on a blank page. Well, there is the blinking cursor 40,000 words in and you don’t know what happens next. But that is a special kind of terror.
I’m talking about the first page, where do I start, hurdle. Heck, the first line could be the difference between “interesting” and “HACK!” I’m in good company with struggling to begin. Unless inspired and writing in a fervor, most writers approach the starting line carefully, and with a large gulp.
That first line can catch the readers attention or set the town for the whole story – hopefully both. So to procrastinate starting (editor wants me to wait for the decision on the current mss) I looked back on the first lines of my stories:
JUST ONE SPARK - Scanning the line for the third time, Hannah crossed her legs tighter and tried to concentrate.
BREAKING HIS RULES – That’s what you get for opening you big mouth, David Strong said to himself as he pulled his baby blue Corvette Stingray in front of Working It Out.
STRIPPED - “I need to see it.” Kelly Nielson took a deep breath, hoping her voice didn’t shake.
THE GIRL SHE USED TO BE - Ben Cannon knew better than to take a midweek flight into North Bend.
IF YOU SAY SO - Tyler McNally’s heart stalled in his chest.
FOR KICKS - “You need to put some clothes on.”
COME FOR DINNER - The gunmetal gray sky outside his office window mocked him.
Reading friends – which do you prefer?
Writing friends – I showed you mine, now you show me yours :)
14 comments:
Don't have my books on this computer, so can't as writer because I don't have the first lines memorized anymore. At one time I did. LOL.
"Ben Cannon knew better than to take a midweek flight into North Bend." - Absolutely makes me wonder why he knew better.
I like STRIPPED opening line *hehe* Mind is in the gutter!
ok Mine:
~My paras~
Fallen into Darkness: "Screw him."
A Dark Embrace: She was going to die
~My historicals~
A Devil's Proposal: "He's so handsome."
His Unexpected Bride: The Marquis of Rutledge groaned as he watched his mother drag yet another young debutante in his direction.
I love the opening line to C4D. Wanna see mine...
Tantaliser: "It’s every woman’s fantasy, isn’t it?"
One Foot Forward: "He was going to die of complete embarrassment."
Can You Keep A Secret?: "It was like being called to the principal’s office."
The Devil's Veil: “You can’t expect to go in there unnoticed.”
Something About Maggie: "Flying half way across the world made Jack Lion want to puke."
Great post Jenna!
"You need to put some clothes on." That certainly grabs your attention }:)
Very timely for me, Jenna. Thanks for the encouragement btw.
I love the first line "You need to put some clothes on." That was killer.
My new opening line is "Jessica Logan chewed a nail and stared at the three boxes UPS just delivered to her apartment."
I know, yuck.
I have changed the beginning of my WIP three times already! Its so hard to get it right. I want to make sure I grab the readers attention. I think I'm considering changing it again! We'll see.
Oh this is such a good topic. I love first lines. Here are a few of mine....hope you like.
Wolfe Investigations Inc 1: The Statue of Osirius - Wendy Melbourne stared wide-eyed at the empty glass case.
Night Stalker – She felt his hot breath sticky on her neck, smelled the rancid stench emanating from him.
Broken Cowboy – Seamus Walker just couldn’t accept the fact some city slicker woman bought the ranch next door.
School of Hard Knocks – This is the fourth time this month.
Bride for Hire – “Let me guess, runaway bride?”
Charisma Lost – Life sucks!
Frankenstein Meets His Match - Sex toys lay all around the room.
Pleasure Dome 1: Allyrhia’s Rescue - She could feel the orgasm about to slam through her body.
Toodles :)
Paula Beaty
www.paulabeaty.com
www.paulabeaty.blogspot.com
I like the "For Kicks" opening line the best!
Am I dreaming, or have I written a book called "Being a BAG Girl"? (In your reviews of MX sidebar?)
Is that sort of like being a junior bag lady? ;-)
For my first story You Know I Love You: "Damn, that's a fine brother," she mumbled to herself.
I love a good first line! And there's nothing worse than laboring over one...ugh.
Loved "You need to put some clothes on." So intriguing!
Here's mine on my current wip:
“Okay, who's ready to play hide and seek?”
Being a Bag Girl cracked me up! I would like to read that one, Julie...
I liked FOR KICKS - “You need to put some clothes on.” (Who does, and why?)
My WIP -
Nilana fled under the full moon.
Great opening lines. Loved the one for Stripped :o)
Ah, geez. Made the bag girl bed. I need a blushing emoticon.
I like the For Kicks opener too... can't wait!!!!
Being a bag girl... roflmao...
And my breakout novel The Bridal Bet - the one RT liked ;) started:
"Yes, I am still standing at the bottom of the ladder and yes, I am looking up your dress."
Mmm... Can you tell why they thought I should jump from Tender to Modx???
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