Tips On How To Write A Fabulous First Line In A Story That'll Grab The Reader.
The first page in a book is supposed to hook the reader. I know a lot of people, including myself, will read the first page and decide from there whether to buy the book or not. Sometimes I’ll even read beyond the first page and then make my decision. So in all honesty, not only does the first page need to kickass but the whole first chapter does as well. However, it’s imperative that the first page captures the reader’s interest.But what about the first line?
Oh, God, yeah. That. The first line is most definitely the crucial part to the first page.
There are many examples of a best first line of a novel. Here are a few:
They shot the white girl first–Paradise by Toni Morrison
The cold passed reluctantly from the earth, and the retiring fogs revealed an army stretched out on the hills, resting–The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Cran
It was the day my grandmother exploded–The Crow Road by Iain M. Banks
So how are you going to write that fabulous first line to where a hand jumps out of the page, grabs the reader by the face, and yanks her into the story? What helps me is to read other author's opening pages. You can go on Amazon and read the first few pages of a book.
But then what?
Well, here are some tips for you that I go by . . .
* You need to write something interesting with a hook that sets the tone for the rest of the story. It doesn’t necessarily have to start out with action or conflict (it can though), but it has to be something important and relevant to the rest of the story.
* The main character is introduced.
* The story’s setting is revealed, but you shouldn’t reveal too much, just enough detail to tantalize some of the reader’s senses: sight, smell, hearing, and taste.
* You should end each chapter with a hook to engage the reader and set up the next chapter.
*Your pacing should be good and not bogged down by too much description.
* The first chapter needs to be the foundation for your story.
* You don’t need to reveal every character in your first chapter or every physical attribute or trait your main character has. Those things need to been woven in throughout the story.
* The first chapter does need to introduce the core conflict of the story, but the reader doesn’t need to know the details, just enough to pique her curiosity.
There you have. My first book (Beyond the Eyes) in my trilogy had won an award for the best first line in a book which was cool.
I hope my tips help you.
HAPPY FRIDAY!
This is what happens when you get cocky
At the end of last December, my husband and I were bragging about not being sick in a long time. We were totally cocky about it.Guess what?
In January, we both got really sick, and I'm sick again.
I wish my cat Church would take care of me like that. I've been running a temp. since last Thursday.
I feel awful.
Why oh why did we say we never get sick?
We jinx ourselves.
I've learned my lesson. I'll never do that again. It feels like some unknown assmonkey source heard Kevin and I bragging about how we haven't been ill in a long time, and a wicked grin crosses the source's face, "I can fix that." His long, thin, knotty fingers sprinkles black dust over our heads.
BOOM!
We're sick.
Lovely.
Thanks a lot asshole.
I'm going to go take a nap now.
*crawls up the stairs and climbs into bed*
Blog Tour! Saved by The Seal by #Author Diana Gardin
3/20/2016
#hero #friendship
,
#navyseal #warrior
,
#romance
,
#struggles
0 Comments
3/20/2016 #hero #friendship , #navyseal #warrior , #romance , #struggles 0 Comments
Author : Diana Gardin
Greta knows that the smart thing to do would be to run from Grisham. He’s a wounded warrior, and his head is a big-time mess. The problem is that Greta wants to make him her mess. One kiss and she’s completely in over her head. And if this SEAL risked himself to save her, then she must find a way to bring him back to life . . .
Cover Reveal! Shredded To Pieces by #Author S. Donahue
3/17/2016
#friendship
,
#heartbreak
,
#love
,
#monsters #romance
,
#relationship
0 Comments
3/17/2016 #friendship , #heartbreak , #love , #monsters #romance , #relationship 0 Comments
S. Donahue’s novel, Shredded to Pieces, is about lost love, lust and friendship. When they all come to the surface, decisions need to be made. Can Molly find happiness once again? Will she make the right choice? Shredded to Pieces coming soon to an online bookstore near you!
GOAT CHILDREN A #YA Novel with a touch of #Fantasy By #Author Jordan Elizabeth & #Giveaway!
Blurb:When Keziah’s grandmother, Oma, is diagnosed with dementia, Keziah faces two choices: leave her family and move to New Winchester to care for Oma, or stay in New York City and allow her grandmother to live in a nursing home miles away.
The dementia causes Oma to be rude and paranoid, nothing like the woman Keziah remembers. Each day becomes a greater weight and love a harsher burden. Keziah must keep Oma from wandering off or falling, and try to convince her grandmother to see a doctor as her eyesight and hearing fail, but Oma refuses to believe anything is wrong. Resentful of her hardships in New Winchester, Keziah finds herself drawn to Oma’s ramblings about the Goat Children, a mythical warrior class. These fighters ride winged horses, locating people in need while attempting to destroy evil in the world. Oma sees the Goat Children everywhere, and as Keziah reads the stories Oma wrote about them, she begins to question if they really exist.
GOAT CHILDREN will be released March 25, 2016 from CHBB.
This story means a lot to me. Many of the events are taken from my own life when I helped out my grandmother. She was one of my best friends and in many ways, my world. It still hurts to think about how the dementia made her suffer.
As she would have said: without further ado, I present the cover for GOAT CHILDREN. The talented Rue Volley created this cover.
I can’t wait to share this book with all of you! You can mark it as TBR today on GoodReads.
About the author: Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, writes her nightmares in order to live her dreams. With an eclectic job history behind her, she is now diving into the world of writing. It happens to be her most favorite one yet. When she’s not creating art or researching her family tree, she’s updating her blog. Jordan is the vice president of the Utica Writers Club. She roams Central New York but loves to travel.
Win a paperback copy of my first novel, ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW.
All winners will be notified after verification of entry at the end of this promotion. Prizes have been supplied by and the responsibility of delivery are solely that of the author and/or their representatives. Blogs are not liable for non-delivery on the part of the author. No purchase necessary.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Release Blitz! Carnal Recovery by #Author Victoria Bright
3/09/2016
#erotica
,
#relationships
,
#secrets
,
#sex
0 Comments
3/09/2016 #erotica , #relationships , #secrets , #sex 0 Comments
My life revolved around two things— sex and power. As a sex therapist, I helped couples with their intimacy issues while appearing to lead a typical single life. Although I lived a civilized life during the day, by nightfall I transformed into my sadistic, dominating persona.
When a session with my submissive left him severely injured, I found myself sitting in Xavier Bennett’s office for court-ordered therapy. It was one thing to reveal the skeletons in my closet, but it was a different ball game to confess these demons to my colleague. Little did I know, he harbored dark secrets of his own.
After receiving an invitation to assist Xavier with his marriage retreat, I soon learn his intentions weren't what they seemed. What I thought would be a relaxing work-related vacation turned into a mental bloodbath as we both fought for dominance. Walls will come tumbling down and someone’s bound to get hurt.
There can only be one Master.
Who will come out on top and who will surrender?
Blog Tour! Down To You by #Author Addison Kline
3/08/2016
#betrayal
,
#friendship.
,
#heartbreak
,
#love
,
#redemption
,
#relationships
,
#romance
0 Comments
3/08/2016 #betrayal , #friendship. , #heartbreak , #love , #redemption , #relationships , #romance 0 Comments
psychological thrillers and romantic suspense novels. She lives in
Pennsylvania with her husband, their sons and two rambunctious dogs.
Addison has had a love affair with the written word since before she
entered school. Her grandmother taught her the glory of taking an
adventure in the pages of a book. When Addison isn’t writing, you can
find her reading, going for an adventure with her sons, or traveling
with her family.
Popular Posts
Recent Posts
Popular Posts
-
Title: Sworn To Protect Author: Diana Gardin Genre: Romantic Suspense To keep her safe, he'll have ...
-
Title: The Darkest Hour Author: S.M. Soto Genre: Romance Aliza Anderson’s whole world imploded three years ag...
-
Title: Mine To Save Author: Diana Gardin Genre: Romance The next sexy and suspenseful standalone in t...
0 comments: