When you hang around writing forums, you read a lot, A LOT, about how to hook that agent, what makes you stand out from the all the other writers clambering for attention and one of the most common tips is to have a ‘kick butt’ opening sentence; something that forcibly grabs the reader and doesn’t let them go. It is said a lot of agents and publishers make their minds up about a manuscript in a split second, so you have to nail that first sentence.
Now, I have NEVER (ever, ever) stopped reading a book because the first sentence didn’t grab me. But I have the luxury of time on my side that agents don’t have and I can give a book as long as I like to decide whether I like it or not. And as for a magical opening sentence that captures me in some way – well, I can name only one occasion in the last few years, yes, count it, ONE, where I’ve even noticed how good an opening to a novel is.
“I always thought the next funeral I’d attend would be mine.” Simmering Season, Jenn J McLeod. Now that’s an opening that made want to read on.
Given this is the only example I can think of from the last five years of reading, I’m wondering, just how important is that first sentence?
Time for some (very scientific) research. To my bookshelf!
“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, JK Rowling. A debut book that went on to be, well, I’m sure you all know how darn successful it went on to be. As an opening sentence, though, how does it rate? For me its only saving grace is the ‘thank you very much’, which hints at a style and humour I find appealing. But the rest of the sentence – meh.
“People disappear all the time.” Outlander, Diana Gabaldon. If you haven’t heard of Outlander, then you’ve been living under a rock. But what an average opening. “People disappear all the time” – yep, big whoop. Now if this was in front of an agent/publisher that made their mind up based on the first sentence alone, I reckon this would never have seen the light of day. The end of the opening passage, however, does hook the reader in, “…..Disappearances, after all, have explanations. Usually.” That’s got me. If I’d quite after the first sentence, though, I never would have got to that bit.
“We have been lost to each other for so long.” From my favourite book of all time The Red Tent, Anita Diamant. What’s so special about that opening? Nothing, really. The rest of the prologue, (and I’d like to point out here that another tip we always see as beginner writers is NEVER start with a prologue), is beautifully, sublimely written, as is the rest of the book. Seriously beautifully written. But as a first sentence, while it’s ok, it’s hardly going to rock your world, though the book certainly will!
“Dear Sidney, Susan Scott is a wonder.” The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer. Another of my all-time favourites. There is nothing particularly special about that opening – a letter, and a regular ol’ beginning of a letter. In fact, as I read on I panicked when I realised the whole book was written in letters, but I soldiered on – I had, after all, picked it for our book club, so I’d darn well better read it – and I LOVED it. I mean totally LOVED it. Imagine what I would have missed if I’d given up on this after the first sentence, or even the first few pages!
“When he emerges from the bathroom she is awake, propped up against the pillows flicking through the travel brochures that were beside his bed.” Me Before You, Jojo Moyes. Arguably the biggest thing in Women’s Fiction right now, totally taking the world by storm and the movie of this wonderful book is due out mid-year. But, as an opening sentence, how bland is that? And, she breaks the two biggest ‘rules’ for opening a novel. Never start with a prologue – this is a prologue. Never start with people waking up – this is people waking up. This isn’t Moyes’ first novel, and I guess once you’re established you can break any rule you want. After all, you have your agent and publisher and loyal following already. It certainly is her most successful so far, though, and I can’t help wondering if this hit an agent’s/publisher’s desk from a debut novelist, how many would simply say ‘no’ because of the opening?
I don’t think any of these examples are ‘kick butt’ sentences, yet they are some of the most successful novels in recent years. So where does that leave us?
I think I’ll turn the rest of the (very scientific) research over to you. What’s the best (or worst) opening line you’ve ever read in a novel? Was it indicative of how good (or bad) the novel was?
S
Sandie. I love this post! I’m headed to a writing conference in like, ten minutes so I can’t answer right now – but you’ve really got me thinking! I hope I won’t be TOO distracted during class. I’ll check back in later today… Thinking… thinking… thinking…
Hey Julie, hope you enjoy the course.
I, too, have noticed that some openings are far from special but as you rightly say, once you’re famous with a loyal following, it doesn’t seem to matter nearly so much. Doesn’t Gone Girl open with him waking up, too? Meh. And I read an analysis recently raving about the opening to Jane Eyre, which is actually something about not going for a walk…. Strong stuff.
I quite like “it was the day my grandmother exploded” and Orwell’s one about the clocks striking thirteen. Genre is clearly a big factor in the best way to grab attention and set the tone.
“It was the day my grandmother exploded.” What a great opening. But was it a good read? I’ve not read Iain Banks.
Thanks for stopping by Pauline.
What a great post! I haven’t got one in mind at the moment but I want to go and grab all my books and check out the opening lines now 😀
Go and look. It’s an interesting exercise. While I have something like 50 books in my TBR pile, I have read the opening sentence of all of them.
Just realised that the opening line of my first book is totally boring as opening lines go 😦 “I jumped in surprise as I heard my mobile phone ring.” OMG! How boring is that?? Must definitely make sure it’s better in my second one 🙂 Will never look at opening lines in the same way again 😀
Oh no! I’ve ruined your reading/writing enjoyment 🙂
😀 No not at all don’t worry. It’s just fun to look at it that way. I don’t think that a first line affects how much you’ll enjoy the book or not so don’t worry, it’s just a bit of fun 🙂
It really is interesting. And, yes, I’ve never hated a book because of the first line, or , loved a book because of a first line.
🙂
Agreed! Love the post!
Thanks for stopping by.
Love this post. Opening lines are tricky, and I think we all put too much emphasis on them. Me, I read the opening paragraph, the first couple of pages, before I decide if I want to read something. It all depends upon the voice. I totally read for voice, not plot, so I’ll allow an author the luxury of grabbing me slowly, in a few pages.
Sometimes I think that clever opening lines are a gimmick. It’s often hard if not impossible to keep up the same tone. It’s kind of like meeting someone at a party who sounds funny in small bits but turns out to be rather boring in long passages, you know?
Cheers and happy writing.
I love that – “…like meeting someone at a party…”. So true.
I’m the kind of reader that gives a book 50-100pp before I give up (unless it’s really offensive in some way).
First lines can be difficult to write, but it’s important to remember when writing that first draft to just write and go back and polish that. Great post!
I’ve definitely learned to get the words on the page and pretty them up later.
Rarely does the first line grab my attention, though sometimes the first page will, as it did in my current read, Thompson Road by Scott Wyatt. BTW. Loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but it wasn’t the first sentence or the first page that got my attention.
Guernsey was wonderful. I’m so glad I didn’t give up on it.
It is one of my all time favs.
The only opening line I could ever remember was from Little Women. “Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” complained Jo lying on the rug. – It’s not that it’s so great. I guess the twelve year old me just found it really relatable. 🙂 As for the science, I think it’s not very important at all. Pressed for time or not, you really can’t tell anything about a story from one sentence. You can’t tell anything at all.
That quote is perfect. There are no rules really. There are only stories and the people who tell them.
Yep, I think we put too much pressure on ourselves with the opening line fear. Tell the story. Simple as that.
I have to agree with Cinthia on this one. I don’t expect a book to hook me with its first sentence. Within the first few pages would be ideal, but I definitely give a book more than a few pages to decide. More like a few chapters. I’ve read some books that based on the first couple of chapters I didn’t think I would like, then they ended up surprising me. And also like Cinthia, it’s the voice of the author that I notice more than anything else, and his/her style of writing. I think as writers we put too much pressure on ourselves about that opening sentence. Great post, Sandie! 🙂
I’m with you. A few chapters. At least.
Thanks Shelly.
This post is so timely for me! Just went to a writers group last Saturday with an agent talking about great opening lines. My friend and I challenged each other to come up with some one line wonders. I also heard Joshilyn Jackson speak at the Decatur Library (same week) and went up to look at the opening lines in each of her book. Pretty interesting! Now I am more confused than ever! My problem is I want a dog in my first sentence!
BTW, thank you for commenting on my post. Google sent me a partial comment, but did not post on my blog. Appreciate that you wrote and read my piece.