The all important first line…
"Bang!" Grab your readers' attention.
The titular quote here is attributed to Agatha Christie, though I am unable to identify which of her novels is thus launched. Regardless of its provenance, this line is arresting, or was in its day. “Damn” was a pretty raw word in 1920 or so, rarely uttered in front of ladies, not to mind say by one, and then one of high social standing. So, an opening line such as ‘“Damn,” said the Duchess’ was written to shock, to intrigue, to grab the readers’ attention.
If writing a book, make sure your first line is memorable, striking, the type that will hook and reel in your reader keen to find out more. Follow it by a seductive, pacy set of three chapters. They are also the showpiece you’ll be sending off to agents and publishers so best make sure they’re written to hook.
Some writers write their last chapter first, so they can figure out their plot, and then leave writing those all-important first few pages until last. In fact, the very last piece of writing they’ll do is the first line. Therefore, don’t fret over your opening, get the rest of your work down and come back to it later if necessary.
And, take note that just as your first line should reach out and grab your reader – your final line should linger with your reader for sometime afterwards…
Can you guess which works gave us the following opening lines?
‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.’
‘I’m writing this sitting in the kitchen sink.’
‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’
‘It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.’
‘If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.’
‘Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed.’
‘Mother died today.’
‘It was the day my grandmother exploded.’
‘The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.’
’ He – for there could be no doubt of his sex, though the fashion of the time did something to disguise it – was in the act of slicing at the head of a Moor which swung from the rafters.’
‘They say when trouble comes close ranks, and so the white people did.’
September 11th, 2011 at 19:40
This is so very true, when I am looking for a book I always look at the first line, not so much the pitch because I know that is designed to draw me in. I am also very pleased when a reader says to me something like “I was hooked from you first line/paragraph” because you feel as though you got it right – great post
September 11th, 2011 at 20:32
Those are some great first lines. I have a WIP right now and the opening lines have already been revised a hlaf dozen times. That is the toughest part! I’ve finally resigned myself to leaving it alone until I finish the rest of the story. The urge to tweek it is always there though.
September 11th, 2011 at 22:49
I often use Iain Banks’ opening line when trying to get learners to realise the impact and importance of the first line.
I’ll use this with my class if you don’t mind! 😉
September 11th, 2011 at 23:32
Thanks for the comment. Iain Banks is one of my all time faves. Please feel free to use anything you think useful.
September 11th, 2011 at 23:40
That first line is so important. I know that’s something I definitely need to work on!
September 13th, 2011 at 01:11
No fair! You didn’t give us answers. Some of these, I know. Others, not. I read the book that started “Mother died today,” but can’t remember the title or author.
September 13th, 2011 at 07:45
Hi Judith, I’m waiting for you guys to come up with answers : )
September 13th, 2011 at 07:46
It’s by Camus…
September 14th, 2011 at 07:56
I must be very bad. ’cause I recognised only one opening line. I’m not sure about that either, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Charles Dickens, A Tale Of Two Cities?
September 14th, 2011 at 17:26
That’s correct, Jim. And if you were female you’d undoubtedly recognize the other English nineteenth century author of ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged…’ (hint)
September 14th, 2011 at 10:04
1984 and The Outsider are two of my favourite novels! Great article, eye-grabbing first sentences are something I always have fun doing.
http://evegreenwood.net
September 14th, 2011 at 17:26
: ) YOu have good taste.
August 17th, 2014 at 23:57
I believe that the line comes from “The Murder on the Links.”
September 27th, 2014 at 17:29
I spent years looking for the origin of “damn said the duchess ” ( before google ) and found “Hell said the duchess ” in Agatha Christie ‘s – They Came from Bagdad