Crafting Your Novel’s First Line
Writers are told that the first line of their novel will make or break their story. That’s true, because the first line is the same as the curtain going up at a Broadway play. Your first line must grab the reader’s attention and make them not want to put your book down until they get to the last page. So, what makes a great first line? Here are some tips on how to make your novel’s first line zing!
The first line of an unputdownable novel contains a combination of these things: character, imagery, theme, and questions.
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Crafting your Novel’s First Line
Here’s one of my favorite quotes about writing (and it’s about first lines!):
“I don’t want to write that first sentence until all the important connections in the novel are known to me. As if the story has already taken place, and it’s my responsibility to put it in the right order to tell it to you.”
I really love this quote! Not only does it remind us of why the first line is so important, it gives us permission to write the opening line only when we are ready. And you are only ready once you know the interconnections between your characters, themes, plot points, and voice.
If you’re like me, I write, delete, and rewrite my novel’s first line about a million times (a bit of hyperbole, but you get my point) until I’m barely halfway satisfied. But I have to remind myself that the best advice is to draft the first line as best I can, and then keep on writing until I’ve typed ‘THE END.’ At that point, I have completed my story—the good, the bad, and the ugly—but now I have all the pieces and can return to the first line.
WHAT MAKES A GREAT FIRST LINE?
Remembering some of my favorite novels, the most memorable first lines managed to somehow encompass the entire novel. That’s a lot to ask of a sentence (or two), but it’s definitely possible. When we dissect these great first lines, we find that they incorporate a combination of the following:
· Character: We feel connected to and care about the character.
· Imagery: We are immersed into the setting or world building.
· Voice: We are grabbed by the voice and style of the story.
· Questions: We are left with questions that we need answers (like now, please!).
A novel’s genre will play a large part on which of these take center stage. For example, literary fiction might spotlight characters or themes, while fantasy focuses on setting or action, and young adult/kidlit is way more conflict or voice-driven. All genres need to leave the reader with questions unanswered.
TIPS FOR CRAFTING YOUR FIRST LINE
You’ve finished your first draft and you’re looking at the first line again. Here are some specific things to consider:
Every word counts, so pick vivid words that paint a picture.
If you have a quirky character or plot, establish the voice right away.
Say something surprising, shocking, or start with a strange detail that sets the tone.
Use humor. Everyone loves to laugh.
Start with some action that will immediately convey the stakes of the story.
Remember that short paragraphs and direct sentences are generally better than long, drawn out soliloquies.
For some genres, it’s super important to immediately set the time and space and lay out any special rules (think fantasy or historical).
Build up the tension and excitement by making the first sentence lead to the next sentence, and to the next, and to the next, etc.
And while rules can be broken, generally, your first line is:
Not the inciting incident, that comes later. For tips on awesome novel openings, check out this video.
Not dialogue. The words tend to float in space making it difficult for the readers to care about your character or visualize the setting.
Not about the weather. Boring! Plus, “It was a dark and stormy night” is already taken.
Not an information dump. Leave backstory to be woven into your story as needed.
Not to sound like a broken record, but becoming a better writer means reading widely. The best way to learn to write a great first line, is to read novels with great first lines. Keep a list of your favorites for inspiration.
Bottom line: Your novel’s first line is important. Agents, acquiring editors, and readers will quit reading if your opening is a dud. The best advice is to draft it the best you can, finish your novel, then—using these tips—return to the beginning and make it shine. Happy writing!
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