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I read a lot of submissions where the first line punches me in the face. It’s meant to shock, or intrigue. I appreciate the effort to make an impact on the reader right from the start, however, a first line is only as good as what follows.
An effective first line should invite you to the mysteries that the book holds. One of my favorite examples is the first line of DIVERGENT: “There is one mirror in my house.”
IDK about the rest of you, but I have two mirrors in my bathroom alone. What kind of person lives in a house that only has one mirror? Where does this house exist? Immediately, I know the main character is a mystery to me, and I want to know more.
Look at the opening line of THE FAR EMPTY by @j_toddscott. “My father has killed three men.” This opening invites multiple mysteries: Who were the victims? What kind of person kills three men? How has this knowledge impacted the narrator? Etc.
Great opening lines should start the unfolding of the main character’s world. Personally, I don’t mind a “quiet” opening line as long as it starts to build something. I would rather see a build to an explosion than an explosion followed by pages of sitting and talking.
So when you’re #writing the opening line, ask yourself what kind of invitation you’re giving to the reader. What do you want the reader to find intriguing? What questions do you want them to ask about your main character and their world?
This is why openings with the main character waking up don't work that well. It usually takes too long to get to the mystery. (Also, agents literally see 20+ of them a week.)
All your opening has to do is make me want to know what happens next. Easy. (I'm joking!) Thank you for coming to my tweet talk.
