Opening Sentences

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 

Do you have a favourite first sentence?

QWC + First Sentences

I was lucky enough earlier this year to win a 'taster pack' with the Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) from Fleur McDonald (author of Blue Skies).

As part of the taster pack I also got an online short course with the Australian Writers Marketplace. I'm coming to the close of the two week course. It's been a lot of fun. I don't think I've learnt anything new about my craft - but it has certainly made me revisit some aspects and consider others. A great tool to refocus my writing and remind my why it means so much to me.

One task had us considering first sentence of our favourite books. Why did we like them? I've never thought about my reasons before. It was a great task to sit down and really think about why I liked these first lines.

I analysed 4 books I love by 4 internationally successful authors (Dick Francis, Stephenie Meyer, David and Leigh Eddings, JK Rowling). I was surprised to find my reasons were the same for all four - very different - opening lines:

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

What I liked about them:

• 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

I'm not sure why I've never considered examining great beginnings before. Now that I have, I know I will be more likely to incorporate these elements into my own first sentences.

You're the Voice

We have
The chance to turn pages over
We can write what we want to write...

You're the voice try and understand it
(You're the Voice by John Farnham)

Okay. So maybe this isn't quite the correct interpretation of these lyrics, but it works for me.

Voice is the way your writing 'sounds'. In the same way you can pick a teenagers speech from a politicians, you can pick a writer's voice (think JK Rowling vs Tolkien or if you know your Aussie romance authors, Margaret Way vs Nicola Marsh).

Voice is very important in your success as a published author. It makes you stand out in the crowd. But I'm wondering just how successful my voice will be. My competition judges have varied from seeing potential in my voice to loving my voice. Is that just a result of what voice is - that it will appeal to some and not too others? Or do I really need to work on mine?

I mean, unlike maths or history, where everyone must follow, writing is the opposite. Individuality and originality are encouraged, and copying is forbidden. So surely it follows that in achieving this some will like your voice while others won't?

Sigh. I guess I need to go back and consider some of the aspects that make for a good *voice*:

displaying a definite and well-developed personality; appropriate tone for purpose and audience; individual, authentic and original; strong feelings, honest statements; and care about the topic (www.ttms.org/writing_quality/voice.htm).

Just as well no-one critiques my spoken voice *wink*.