Skip to main content

Mixed Ink Monday

Oh for inspiration and the time and ability to just sit down and write...

I love it when a story is just "there" and all I need to do it is move my fingers and it writes itself. How fun!

That kind of writing usually begins with a killer first line. And while your first line doesn't have to be the best one ever written, it needs to have a wow factor, a reason for the reader to keep reading. It should be interesting and intriguing. The second line should tempt you to read the third line and that leads tot he fourth...until you are knee deep in the mystery, the romance, the thrill, the scare, whatever, until you can't put the book down.

But there is a disadvantage to making the shock and thrill of the first couple sentences show off like fireworks. Don't you hate it when a read a book that starts with awesomeness, followed by a quieter 2nd line, and even milder 3rd line?

It all falls back to that fantastic, perfect first line. Which leads me to ask, "Why write an amazing firt line just for the sake of having that "wow" first line, if it's going to be followed by a disconnected first paragraph, which is the real beginning of the story?

I've heard is told you can't write the perfect first sentence until you've written the ending of the story.

Because it's not until you completed the story that the characters are all well-rounded and developed, you plot lines have all the wrinkles ironed out, and you know your story like the back of your hand. Once you are to that time, you can write a first line that not only intrigues, but also subtly foreshadows AND begins with something that fits with the story and is totally unique.

So if you are grappling with your first line and think you don't have it perfect, stop fretting and just write. After you've written the ten chapters, go back to that first line and think about how the story has progressed. If you changed it, would it make the beginning better? If not, keep writing.

Your first line is not written in stone. You can change it later.




Comments

  1. I never know when that "perfect" sentence is going to come. It's always a surprise, but you're right. It's not set in stone. Thank goodness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If it were, I don't think anyone would ever read my books. I always change mine during the course of writing:)

      Delete
  2. I change my first line several times before I'm happy with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too. Most of the time. Wait. No all the time:)

      Delete
  3. I do love the idea of not writing the best first line until you write the end. Look at Hinton's THE OUTSIDERS. Perfect example.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The first line, for me, is often the toughest line to write. I usually start somewhere in the middle of what I'm trying to write, get a sense of how I'm going to end it, and then write the first line last. Like you say in your post, once the picture you're painting is developed, you can go back and craft the first line to introduce the reader to your piece.

    Love the title of your post, btw! Be well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh hi, Janette! I'm coming to visit you right now! It's been forever since we talked:) How are you doing???

      Delete
    2. I just responded to your post on my blog. Thanks for stopping by! I hope you are enjoying your internship and finding it illuminating. :-)

      Enjoy the rest of your week!

      Delete
    3. Thanks Janette! I love my internship. I've learned so much I can't believe I didn't already know..and I don't mean that in a prideful way! It's just that you never stop learning, huh?

      Delete
  5. i usually get confused where to start from...what should be my first line...!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Writer In Motion CP feedback

Hey beautiful guys and dolls! Here it is! My CP feedback edited story. Had a hard time with this, but I hope it makes sense. I've got a post I'm working on I plan to put up after Thanksgiving. Here ya go. Enjoy... Every morning I wake to carnival day.  Today, though, I have my key. If I don’t use it before midnight, my way of escape will gone. It’s a silver key with a twisted metal handle, a sapphire stone half moon and engraved stars. There’s a tiny inscription on the moon, but it’s so small, I’ve never been able to read it.I’ve always kept mine in my jewelry box, but today, I string it on a ribbon and tie it around my neck. My two best friends will be wearing theirs, too, and I wonder how they will escape this carnival of dreams. “What’s it for?” Cress asks as we stand in line for the swings. I run my fingertips over the entire silver surface. “I don’t know. It belonged to my grandmother,” I say. “Whatever.” She shrugs her shoulder in a dismissive way. “Have

Insecure Writers Group

Today, my feelings are mixed. On one hand, I've faced more rejection and that's not easy to write about or admit to the world. But I am not crying in my "milk" (no beer, folks:) I want to, but what good would it do??? I received a detailed critique from a "Best First Line" contest. The critique was the best I have ever received and seriously opened my eyes to "how" to improve my writing. Nice! Speaking of critiques, I am still looking for a critique partner. If anyone is looking back, please let me know and we can swap info. I'm sending off a YA query letter and first pages to 3 agents this week. Wish me luck. This will be the first time I have directly contacted and agent with a query. Yes, I'm nervous, so I'm saying again, WISH ME LUCK!!!

Operation Agent Ink

UPDATE: PLEASE FILL OUT THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AFTER YOU SIGN UP. Have you ever wondered what agents were dying to find in their inbox/slush pile? There have been many times I entered a contest and not even received a comment, not even from one of the agents. Or maybe the agent was kind enough to leave a comment that simply said, "Sorry, this just isn't what I'm looking for, but I love the premise and your voice." I always walk away feeling unsatisfied. If I had known exactly what the agent wanted beyond, "YA" or "Fantasy" I might not have even entered a contest I knew I wouldn't win! Even more, I wasted a very busy agents time! Well, your time of guessing is up! OPERATION AGENT INK to the rescue! That's right! This workshop will help aspiring authors get on the list of an agent's WISH LIST! When the workshop is over, your manuscript will be ready to view by a group of AMAZING agents who are dying to see what you've wri