Thursday,
March 17th, I spent the morning in anxiety, the afternoon in ecstasy, and the
evening unconscious.
"Risk" by Dick Francis
In defense of
Althalus, it should be noted that he was in very tight financial circumstances
and more than a little tipsy when he agreed to undertake the theft of the Book.
"The
Redemption of Althalus" by David and Leigh Eddings
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 Philosopher's Stone" by JK Rowling
I'd never
given much thought to how I would die - though I'd had reason enough in the
last few months - but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this.
"Twighlight" by Stephenie Meyer
I love first
sentences. To be drawn in from the first few words is something I look for in a
book. The above 4 examples are all written by some of the world's most
successful authors, and all are favourites of mine. But I've never really thought
about these sentences. What draws my interest? When I started to consider it I
realised they all do the same thing:
- they all introduce something about the characters - and in all but the Harry Potter example, the main characters
- they all make me ponder a question - What could cause such a range of emotions in one day? What is the Book and why would Althalus not agree to steal it unless he was tipsy? Why would you need to be able to say you were normal, let alone be proud of it? How was she dying if it wasn't something you could imagine?
- by making me ponder a question I have to read on to find my answer (they immediately captured me)
- they are all 'different', original openings
- they are all simple - simple language and simple ideas
4 comments:
I have mixed feelings about first lines. On the one hand, I like a great opening line, and like to write them if I can. On the other, I wonder how much that opening line compels me to read the rest of the novel? I don't know that I've ever judged a book by its opening line. First couple of chapters, maybe. A number of writer advice blog/books place great emphasis on grabbing the reader's attention with that first line. I think that's a good goal, but if my own experience is anything to go by, I'm usually interested in reading the book for some other reason than the first sentence, so I'll at least give the first 50 pages a chance. For me, that's more the make-or-break of a novel.
Those are good examples of first lines, AJ. :)
I guess I come at first lines from 2 different viewpoints as well - writer and reader.
Like you Colin, I don't judge a book by its first line. But the examples above are all favourites of mine so maybe there is something in it?
But as a writer I realise the importance of your first line. I was fortunate enough to participate in a "Kristin Nelson reads the slush pile" workshop where my ms was selected to be read. Confronting, but worth it. Especially to see what made her read on and what made her stop. I definitely began to see the value of the first sentence after that!
I guess I'm wondering how much it matters if, for example, you already like the author, or the book was recommended? In other words, if the pressure to sell someone on the book isn't there, do you still feel the same need for a killer first line? Does Stephen King, for example, worry about nailing that first line? I'm sure he tries to make sure that line is great, but does he care as much today when he has such a large fan-base as he did, say, 40 years ago?
Great first lines are certainly a wonderful thing, no argument there. :)
Good point. I wonder if established authors do view their first line differently - or if their experience is reflected by the fact they don't have to think about their first lines, they naturally write good ones?
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