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Posts • Writing Techniques and Tips

Posted on May. 16th, 2025

20 Best Opening Lines in Books + How to Write Your Own

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the best books start with a memorable first sentence. Okay, maybe not everyone would agree with that — but if we look at the best-known books in literature, it certainly seems to be a common factor.

Likewise, as the head of a popular weekly writing competition, I’ve also noticed that our winning and shortlisted stories tend to have really great first lines. My team and I assess hundreds of submissions every week, and we’re much more compelled to read until the end when a story captures us from its very first words!

If you’re seeking examples of famous first lines of books, as well as tips on how to write your own, keep reading. I’ve broken down these opening lines into 4 categories for your convenience, and you’ll find the tips at the very end.

The best opening lines in books

Mysterious and intriguing

“The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation.” — The Secret History by Donna Tartt

💡Why it works: Tartt masterfully drops the reader in mid-aftermath and defies expectations by mentioning the deceased right away. Instead of framing her novel as a whodunit or tense murder mystery, Tartt’s more interested in exploring why Bunny was killed and how guilt consumes everyone who was involved in the murder.

“One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin.” — The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

đź’ˇWhy it works: This beginning is absurd and oddly matter-of-fact, which is exactly what makes it so iconic. (I bet you've encountered this sentence at least once in your life!) With a single line, Kafka throws you into a world where the surreal comes across as ordinary, setting the stage for a sad story that explores both alienation and the cruel reality of feeling unseen.

“I would be lying if I said my mother's misery has never given me pleasure.” — Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi

💡Why it works: Here, the narrator confesses something raw and uncomfortable. She flips the idea of mother-daughter love on its head and dares you to sit with the tension. You know from the get-go that Doshi’s novel will have a complicated, emotionally messy plot — and that honesty (even the ugly kind) is on the table.

“The funeral is supposed to be a quiet affair, for the deceased had no friends.” — The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

💡Why it works: Mourning, typically considered to be a communal act (at least when done at a funeral), is not the focus here. Instead, Burton's chosen to write a quietly biting and detached opening line to instantly paint a picture of loneliness and isolation before you even know who “the deceased” is.

“When I think of my wife, I always think of her head.” — Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

💡Why it works: This sentence is unnerving in its bluntness, exposing the narrator’s detached and strange way of thinking about his wife. Flynn effectively signals that something's off with his psychology: the perfect teaser for the twists ahead, making you question the narrator’s reliability and what other dark thoughts might be lurking around.

“You better not never tell nobody but God.” — The Color Purple by Alice Walker

đź’ˇWhy it works: This raw, intimate line draws us right in by giving us the unexpected role of secret-keeper. Through colloquial language and a sprinkle of urgent secrecy, Walker shows us that her story is rooted in both trauma and survival.

While first lines should grab us straight away, they don’t always have to lead us down dark or serious paths. Some of the most unforgettable openings catch us off guard and make us smile! Let’s take a look at how humor works as a hook…

Humorous and witty

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” — Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

💡Why it works: In one clever line, Jane Austen exposes a whole social system with a wink. Her witty words set the tone for a story that’s as much about society’s expectations as it is about love.

“Let’s start with the end of the world, why don’t we?” — The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin

💡Why it works: The start of this science fantasy novel is dry, bold, and darkly funny — like someone cracking a joke even as their life is falling apart. By suggesting we “start with the end of the world,” Jemisin subverts the linear narrative in traditional storytelling to prepare the reader for something epic.

“There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.” — The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

💡Why it works: Many children's stories portray kids as innocent and naïve, but Lewis has no qualms about calling out Eustace's flaws in a playful, slightly wicked way. This tone continues throughout the book, until Eustace gets into trouble and learns his lesson — concluding a memorable character arc that Lewis set in motion with the very first line.

“It was the day my grandmother exploded.” — The Crow Road by Iain Banks

💡Why it works: The casual delivery of such a shocking event is definitely attention-grabbing, drawing you in with its mix of humor and intrigue. The question it leaves hanging — how on earth does a grandmother explode?! — is something you’ll absolutely need to answer by reading on.

“This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it.” — The Princess Bride by William Goldman

💡Why it works: From the start, Goldman lets you know this won’t be a straightforward tale. There’s a whimsical contradiction here to show this story doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that it will be wit, irony, and (my favorite!) a healthy dose of self-aware humor.

Next, let’s dive into a world of setting and mood.

Atmospheric and descriptive

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” — 1984 by George Orwell

💡Why it works: The pairing of “bright” and “cold” here creates an unusual, jarring contrast, as if the day itself is a paradox. Orwell pushes the feeling of a harsh environment further by mentioning it is “thirteen” o’clock, which immediately has the reader feeling suspicious and on edge.. It’s the perfect hook for a dystopian story where control over reality is the ultimate weapon.

“A convenience store is a world of sound.” — Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

💡Why it works: With this simple yet immersive line, Murata transforms a familiar, everyday place into something almost foreign — a kind of sensory ecosystem, humming with life. We realize through these seven words that this novel is all about finding meaning in things that are constantly overlooked.

“124 was spiteful." — Beloved by Toni Morrison

💡Why it works: Here, Morrison presents an eerie, supernatural vibe right away. This three-word sentence personifies the protagonist’s house, making it feel like a living entity filled with malevolent energy. You just have to keep on reading to find out what exactly makes this place — and its history — so bitter and vengeful.

“Rotating about the earth in their spacecraft they are so together, and so alone, that even their thoughts, their internal mythologies, at times convene.” — Orbital by Samantha Harvey

💡Why it works: This sentence, though a bit long, beautifully captures a stunning contrast: vast outer space and intimate inner lives. Harvey’s language flows with poetic rhythm, swiftly placing you in a suspended, reflective atmosphere where isolation and connection orbit each other in quiet tension.

“The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.” — Neuromancer by William Gibson

💡Why it works: Gibson’s opening line subverts the usual picturesque imagery of the sky — instead presenting a stark mechanical description that immerses readers in his dystopian, tech-heavy world. By likening the sky to a “dead channel,” Gibson signals a future defined by disconnection and artificiality… and we love the clever figurative language!

"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again." — Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

💡Why it works: Du Maurier draws you in here with a mix of nostalgia and note of something haunting. By choosing the verb “dreamt,” she blurs the lines between memory and reality, suggesting that Manderley feels more like a place in the mind than an actual estate. This leaves the reader guessing at what’s real and what’s not — just like the second Mrs. de Winter must throughout the book.

Finally, some of the most compelling opening lines are the ones that prompt deep reflection. These lines are not just about setting the scene — they also make us question and ponder. Let’s see how reflective openings can leave a lasting impact right from the start.

Philosophical and thought-provoking

“History has failed us, but no matter.” — Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

💡Why it works: This line is as bold as it is quiet. The starkness of “history has failed us” gives a sense of collective struggle, but the nonchalant “but no matter” flips the script, showing that this isn’t about defeat — it’s about resilience. Its calm, almost defiant tone makes you want to know who “us” is and what they've been through.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” — Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

💡Why it works: Tolstoy starts with an audacious statement that makes you think about whether it’s really true. The first half feels like an unattainable ideal, a family model that’s too neat and predictable to be real. But the second part suggests that unhappiness — with all its messy, unique forms — is the true reality of human experience. It’s a brilliant way to begin a story about the tangled, often painful nature of family dynamics.

“When I was born, the name for what I was did not exist.” — Circe by Madeline Miller

💡Why it works: This line packs an existential punch that makes you contemplate what “identity” really is. Miller powerfully sets up her story that’s all about figuring out who you are, even when the world doesn’t have the words for you.

And there you have it: 20 opening lines that show just how powerful a first sentence can be. If you’re feeling inspired to come up with your own, stick around — I’ve got some tips to help you write a beginning that’ll hook readers from the very first word.

How to write a great first line

With so much riding on a strong beginning, how do you come up with something that actually works?

One thing you might have noticed about many of the examples above is how much they lean on tension or surprise. So, ask yourself: Is there something a little strange, contradictory, or unexpected about my first line? Does it raise questions and create immediate friction? If the answer is yes, you’re probably on the right track.

Let’s break down some practical ways to get there:

Lead with the character’s voice

In first-person stories especially, the opening line is your first chance to show who your narrator really is. You can achieve this through not just what they say, but how they say it. Are they sarcastic? Blunt? Naive? The more specific the voice, the more intrigued your reader will be.

Good: I was shy as a child, always keeping to myself to avoid unwanted attention.
Great: I was invisible until a certain someone needed a scapegoat.

Much sharper, isn’t it? The second line doesn’t just hint at isolation — it reveals tension and the sense that something’s about to unravel. (Bonus: it also slips in a dry sense of humor!)

Start in the middle of something

Instead of easing your reader in with setup, consider dropping them right into the thick of things. It doesn’t have to be a literal explosion — it could be a conversation already in progress, a thought mid-spiral, or a choice already made. Starting with movement (rather than explanation) creates that instant momentum.

Good: I sat alone in my apartment, thinking about the various events that had led me to this point.
Great: The window shattered before I hit the floor.

See the difference? One meanders. The other grabs you by the collar.

Create a sense of mystery

Throw the reader a little off-balance. State something that doesn’t quite make sense (yet), or present a contradiction that begs for an explanation. These are the kinds of lines that practically dare you to read the next one.

Good: I wasn’t sure if I should go to the party, but I decided to anyway.
Great: The moment we met, I knew I’d have to kill him.

The latter is much more gripping, right? A touch of mystery gives your story somewhere to go — and gives readers a reason to follow you there.

Keep it short and sharp

A bloated first line can lose readers before you’ve even introduced your story. Trim the fluff, aim for clarity, and trust that one punchy sentence can do a lot more than a paragraph of exposition.

Good: I was walking through the park when I saw a strange man standing by the old oak tree.
Great: He brought flowers to the scene of the crime.

Shorter. Darker. A single line that forces the reader to lean in.

Avoid clichés and aim for surprise

Your first line should feel like you. Not like something we’ve all read a hundred times before. Readers crave novelty, and an original sentence — in voice, in content, or in concept — makes them sit up and pay attention.

Good: It was a dark and stormy night.
Great: We buried the wrong body — again.

Even if your story fits into a familiar genre, your opening line can still stand out. Lead with something a bit shocking and readers will definitely want to know what else you’ve got in store.


The best opening lines in books do more than just start a story — they pull readers in and spark curiosity. Whether you're writing your own novel or analyzing famous beginnings, remember that the first sentence provides the opportunity to captivate and intrigue. As a writer, it can take time to get it just right — but when you do, you'll have a first line that readers won’t soon forget.

Comments

I was just thinking about first lines this week, and one of my all-time favorites is from "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by CS Lewis. "There was once a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb and he almost deserved it." Tells you theres a boy with a ridiculous name, and you just know that he's going to be a hand full.

Beks - Over 8 years ago

That is a great first line! It's quite a common stylistic element in British fantasy writing (J.K. Rowling does similar) to begin with a 'once upon a time -like' introduction and throw in a touch of humour.

Bridget At Now Novel - Over 8 years ago

"We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold."

Barth Anderson - Over 8 years ago

I like this start

Sania Bafna - About 7 years ago

Been there, done that, except it was by the banks of a river, and we were naked, and when the drugs kicked in we all thought our dicks had disappeared.

Rondonaghe - Over 5 years ago

Sounds like a rough trip, Ron.

Jordan At Now Novel - Over 5 years ago

"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board."

Barth Anderson - Over 8 years ago

Great opening line! Isn't that from Zora Neale Hurston's 'Their Eyes were Watching God'?

Bridget At Now Novel - Over 8 years ago

Yes, ma'am!

Barth Anderson - About 8 years ago

"The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel."

Helaku - Over 8 years ago

Great example by William Gibson (had to Google the source). Thanks for the contribution.

Bridget At Now Novel - Over 8 years ago

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

Melissa Roscoe - Over 8 years ago

An iconic Austen opening. Thanks for the addition, Melissa.

Bridget At Now Novel - Over 8 years ago

"Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta." Perhaps it isn't the first sentence for me but the first two sentences. Nabakov crafted the most repulsive and beautiful opening of a novel I've ever read. If I wrote an opening half as gorgeous I'd call myself a success and never write again. My other favorite novel has an intriguing first line as well: "In eighteenth-century France there lived a man who was one of the most gifted and abominable personages in an era that knew no lack of gifted and abominable personages." -The Perfume by Patrick Suskind

Christina Mitchell - Over 8 years ago

Love your examples, Christina. Nabokov is so clever how he makes the reader physically feel how Humbert Humbert says Lolita's name while reading. The Suskind is great too, thanks for sharing.

Bridget At Now Novel - Over 8 years ago

I'm a little late to the game here, but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying your engaging and actionable post. Nice! My favorite first lines? I, too, dedicated an entire post to them not too long ago: http://greglevin.com/scrawl-space-blog/the-best-opening-lines-in-literature Thanks for sharing yours -- along with some good advice! Best, GL

Greg Levin - About 8 years ago

Hi Greg - never too late! Thanks for sharing your post, I'll take a look. B

Bridget At Now Novel - About 8 years ago

I love this from Jane Eyre : 'There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. We had been wandering, indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour in the morning; but since dinner (Mrs. Reed, when there was no company, dined early) the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating, that further out-door exercise was now out of the question.'

Liberty Henwick - About 8 years ago

The detail is wonderful. Thanks for sharing, Liberty.

Bridget At Now Novel - About 8 years ago

"Joel Campbell, age eleven at the time, began his descent toward murder with a bus ride." ~Elizabeth George. Question: Are hook and first line the same thing?

Elva Cutri Osorio - About 8 years ago

That's a great opener, Elva. 'Hook' refers more to the function of a first line (or first few lines) - that of seizing the reader's attention. The hook is what makes reading on irresistible (e.g. in your example, the shock factor of an eleven year old becoming a murderer - the reader wants to know why).

Bridget At Now Novel - About 8 years ago

The primroses were over. Watership down Always thought this was such an odd and interesting way to start a novel. :)

Jakob Geimkönnuður - About 8 years ago

It is an interesting setting detail to open the story with. Echoes the ephemeral element of some of the animals' lives.

Bridget At Now Novel - About 8 years ago

One by Nora Roberts, although I don't remember the title: "It all started with a letter from a dead man." Another favorite is Charlotte's Web: "Wherever is father going with that axe?"

Veda Leggett - About 8 years ago

Two great examples, Veda.

Bridget At Now Novel - About 8 years ago

My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973." The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Elvis - Almost 8 years ago

Great example, Elvis. Thanks for sharing.

Bridget At Now Novel - Almost 8 years ago

why such a gloomy one?

Misan - About 6 years ago

It's just one of those openings that really stuck out when I read it. Books that grab me right away are the ones that tend to stay with me.

Elvis - About 6 years ago

The birds flew around for the hell of it, it was that kind of day. (but I can't remember the author - does anyone know?)

Deborah Tom - Almost 8 years ago

Great example, Deborah. I believe it's from 'An Expensive Place to Die' by Len Deighton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Expensive_Place_to_Die

Bridget At Now Novel - Almost 8 years ago

"My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it" - Liz Nugent, Lying In Wait

Office Mum - Over 7 years ago

That's a strong one, thanks for sharing.

Bridget At Now Novel - Over 7 years ago

"My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it" - Liz Nugent, Lying In Wait

Office Mum - Over 7 years ago

I love all of France's Hardinge's books, and I especially liked the beginning of 'A Face Like Glass.' 'On a certain murky hour about seven years after that fateful day, a skinny figure could be seen capering sideways beside Grandible as he growled and slouched his way through the tunnels with a great white loop of braided rope-cheese over one shoulder, and a ring of keys bristling in his fist.'

Asuna - Over 7 years ago

It's perhaps a little overwrought in its sentence construction but does create curiosity about Grandible and the mysterious figure. Thanks for sharing this.

Bridget At Now Novel - About 7 years ago

"The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed."

Oliver Peh - About 7 years ago

Great suspense.

Bridget At Now Novel - About 7 years ago

Thanks for the great article

Isa Alamsyah - About 7 years ago

It's a pleasure, Isa. Thanks for reading!

Bridget At Now Novel - About 7 years ago

Knock knock the door called; tring trying the telephone yelled, swish cried the cooker on the stove. I didn't knew where to start from.... ( here using various sound we can create an atmosphere of panic. One of the character is seen messed in this chaos. )

Sania Bafna - About 7 years ago

I like the way you've personified the various objects and their demands for attention, Sania.

Bridget At Now Novel - About 7 years ago

thanks ... waiting for your peice

Sania Bafna - Almost 7 years ago

Pain. That is what I am feeling: pain. Every inch of my body feels like I have bolts of electricity shooting through me at the speed of lightning.

Annalise - Almost 7 years ago

' “There is one mirror in my house. It is behind a sliding panel in the hallway upstairs. Our faction allows me to stand in front of it on the second day of every third month, the day my mother cuts my hair.” –Divergent by Veronica Roth

Kennedy Thomas - Over 6 years ago

' He began his new life, standing up, surrounded by cold darkness, and stale, dusty air.'' - The Maze Runner.

Kennedy Thomas - Over 6 years ago

' I wake with his name in my mouth. Will. Before I open my eyes, I watch him crumple to the pavement again. Dead.'' - Insurgent

Kennedy Thomas - Over 6 years ago

Thanks for sharing, Kennedy!

Jordan At Now Novel - About 6 years ago

once upon a time in a land far far away, there lived a prince whose name was Prince Dincun. best one

Misan - About 6 years ago

Hi Misan, I'm unfamiliar with this opening. Thanks for sharing!

Jordan At Now Novel - About 6 years ago

"It was June of 2025 and I was on my way to school when suddenly the world around me ceased to function and turned into lifeless gray." I'm new to writing but I like to make a novel someday ^_^

Ryzen - About 6 years ago

Great example, Ryzen. Thanks for sharing.

Jordan At Now Novel - Almost 6 years ago

alone. stale. rotting. fated to an eternity of solitude. under the shadow of the trees it looked remotely pleasant but when you neared then you realised the horrible truth. made it up

Alex Pilott - Over 5 years ago

Good atmospheric opener, Alex. Thanks for sharing!

Jordan At Now Novel - Over 4 years ago

"None of them knew the color of the sky." -- Crane

Maxbert50 - Over 4 years ago

Great first line, Maxbert. Thank you for sharing!

Jordan At Now Novel - Over 4 years ago

There was an abandoned house that stood on a hill for over hundred years its unbelievable that the bricks are still intact, the floor is still strong, the walls haven't moved an inch.

Donatella - Over 4 years ago

Interesting scene-setting, Donatella - makes one curious about who lived there and what role the house plays in the story.

Jordan - Over 4 years ago

It was exactly four p.m. when the swat team showed up, dressed in black with large weapons decorating their sides as they pulled me from my comfortable seat on the couch. I never expected them to catch me, let alone figure out what I did. The only thing they know is that I'm Mare Donavan and I killed the president. Let's just hope they don't find out about the rest. -I just wanted to know if this sounded good

Ali - Over 4 years ago

Hi Ali, this is an intriguing opening, thank you for sharing it. I'd suggest perhaps taking out 'with large weapons decorating their sides' as it's assumed a swat team would be armed (and 'decorating' reads more innocuously than their purpose). The paragraph built well to the fact Mare has killed the president. I hope this helps!

Jordan - Over 4 years ago

I'd never given much thought to how I would die — though I'd had reason enough in the last few months — but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this. When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, it's not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end. -Twilight By Stephanie Meyer

Marcey Winna - Over 4 years ago

Thank you for sharing that, Marcey. It's interesting to start with a character referring to their own death (though Meyer's style here is a little convoluted, perhaps, due to the many abstractions she uses). Thank you for reading our blog!

Jordan - Over 4 years ago

How about mine? Could you maybe check it? Once there was a-- wait no. It doesn't seem right. Okay. Once upon a tim--- no it isn't this either. Okay, time. Well how do you open up a story? For me, it's this. Just another story. No Once upon a time. Because once a upon a time always have a happy ending. While mine doesn't. Why? Because happy ending doesn't exist. I was once a fool to believe that i have my very own 'Once upon a time' that would lead to a beautiful 'Happy Ending'. I was blinded. For a long time. Now let me show you what kind of story this is.

Princess - Over 4 years ago

Hi Princess, thank you for sharing that (and Happy New Year!). I like the conversational tone you've created by having your narrator go back on what they've said and doubt it, as well as your use of short sentence fragmnets and line breaks. It definitely conveys a sense of your narrator's view of the world, with a sense of a slightly jaded perspective due to the 'blinded' state they've emerged from. I would say it's intriguing and does make the reader wonder what exactly lead to the narrator's 'new vision'. Keep going and re-read your beginning once you've finished a draft - maybe by then there'll be tweaks you want to make based on what happens throughout the story. Good luck!

Jordan - Over 4 years ago

Just how much can you remember about something you didn't know happened ten years after you are told it happened? If you are like me, you'd probably say 'Nothing at all'. And that's what I said at the central police station.

Robert George Cooper - Over 4 years ago

A great twist in that opening, Robert.

Jordan - Over 4 years ago

Great article, thanks. It has given me some inspiration for my own opening paragraph: "In the summer I turned twenty-one I sat on a rock in San Francisco Bay and listened to my grandfather tell me that people are like little jigsaw puzzle pieces made of glass. It was the summer of everything: of Jenny Mason and the promises of youth, of Bugsy Dean and the Turquoise Motel, and when all of these things converged like crashing planets along the great mother road west."

Matt - About 4 years ago

Thanks, Matt! I'm glad you found inspiration. Great detail in your opening paragraph, good hook in how it creates curiosity about Jenny Mason and Bugsy Dean and the Turquoise Motel and how exactly all of the above will converge for your narrator. Keep going.

Jordan - About 4 years ago

Standing here seeing my boy go to college, made me realise how far we have come, from that distant sunny day of 13th November, Friday. Or Life is a circle. Now I know how true it is when I see my boy go to college.I remember that distant sunny day of 13th November Friday, that changed my life. Which should I use?

Drisana Chauhan - Over 3 years ago

Hi Drisana, Thank you for sharing. I would suggest a combination of the two, perhaps, as the first has a strong emotional component while the second implies a life-changing event which is interesting for a hook: 'Standing here seeing my boy leave for college, I realise how far we've come from that distant Friday in November that changed my life.' Thank you for reading our blog, I hope this is helpful to you.

Jordan - Over 3 years ago

I think that Once upon a time is not good because it sounds BORING. I like to write suspense/action/psychopathic stories cuz that's what I can only think of. Eg: In the realm of hell, many people were tortured/tormented to the extent where they couldn't bear it anymore. The people then decided to revolt the Devil himself. That would be a very difficult, but not an impossible task.

Karan Anand - Over 3 years ago

Hi Karan, thank you for sharing that. 'Once upon a time' isn't the most exciting option for an opening, no, you're right on this (though it fits stories that are fable or fairytale-like, or subvert these traditions). One creative way it's been used is to precede situations that are nothing like fairytales, like the Hell scene you described. I would say write what you enjoy; there are so many ways to start a story.

Jordan - Over 3 years ago

"Odious Oats was an obnoxious little kid, mouthy and rude, safe in the shelter of his young age, knowing that no adult would dare to spank his ass." From my first short story about a name from the past. My sister wondered what might have become of him, so I invented a future for him.

David R - About 3 years ago

Hi David, I'm curious to learn how he acquired the nickname 'Odious Oats', so it definitely piqued my curiosity, and I like the immediate sense of cheekiness in the characterization. Keep going with it and thanks for sharing your opening line.

Jordan - About 3 years ago

Hi Jordan, thanks for your comments. You can read the story here: https://evercleverwilson.com/the-sad-saga-of-odious-oats/ I wrote it 4 years ago and am thinking that I might re-write it, but first I have to finish the sequel to it that is about half completed.

David Ritchie - About 3 years ago

Thank you for sharing it, David. I'll definitely have a read. As they say, all writing is re-writing. It's usually a useful exercise.

Jordan - About 3 years ago

I have begun a short story, mainly for my own enjoyment, and took inspiration from this article for my introduction (I apologize if it’s long): “Why is it that you idiots always try to rob me, of all people?” Looted coin purse in hand, and fresh rain in the air, the stranger kicks one of many brigands that lay around him, dark yet verdant trees loom over the blood stained scene. Their still-warm corpses ooze blood from their wounds, adding to the already damp soil. Some still alive, their groans and moans adding to the relatively calming song of the forest. The stranger then sits in a relatively dry spot and begins to count out how much coin today’s attack gifted to him. “Is it my extravagant clothes? My gentle mannerisms? Do I have a sign stuck to my back pleading to be robbed?!” Pleased with the coin he “earned”, and after kicking the corpses a few more times, he takes up his lute leaning against a particularly gnarled trunk and continues his small journey down the old cobbled path to the city.

Ethan T - Over 2 years ago

Hi Ethan, no apologies necessary. A few thoughts/suggestions: I like the fact you open with a dramatic situation (a robbery) and a character's voice as they ask a question. It creates some intrigue from the start Watch for tense drift, e.g. we go from present ('the stranger kicks') to past ('that lay around him' - though in US English 'lay' is also used interchangeably with 'lie' for the present tense verb, here it could read ambiguously as a flip into past tense). 'That lie around him' would be unambiguous I would remove 'Their' in 'Their still-warm corpses...' since it comes right after reference to the trees, creating momentary confusion potentially (that the narration might be referring to the trees having corpses). Making it 'Still-warm corpses ooze blood...' thus makes it clearer that the subject focus has shifted without the ambiguous pronoun. I like how the stranger's voice and questions about why the brigands try to rob him seem so unaffected and blasé - it makes him seem unflappable, like one who is used to dispatching bandits without so much as batting an eye, so it makes me curious about how he is such a seasoned fighter (particularly if he's a musician, as carrying a lute wouldn't make one think by default, 'This is an aggressive/dangerous man') Hope my feedback is helpful, keep going. And consider joining our free crit groups on Now Novel to get more feedback.

Jordan - Over 2 years ago

Could you give me your thoughts on this opening to a historical novel, please? If things go on like this, Seamus can kiss any thought of profit goodbye. The fault lies entirely with the Arab in the tent next to his. Three days into the High Fair at Dhún Pádraig, and for all the scarlet and gold banners, saucy young girls in their spring attire, flying acrobats, fools and jugglers, Seamus O’Connell is unhappy. Only one of his Sheela na Gigs has sold and at half price, to boot. His finest oak carvings, displaying grinning women stretching her private parts wide open, guaranteed top sellers, were it not for his competitor Nur-ad Din.

Casey Simpson - About 2 years ago

Hi Casey, thank you for sharing your story opening. It took me down a NSFW rabbit hole of looking up Sheela Na Gigs (I was only familiar with the term from the PJ Harvey song of the same title, which makes a lot more sense now). It did create curiosity - I'm wondering what Nur-ad Din is selling that competes with these grotesques. One tiny suggestion I'd make is that the women in these carvings aren't usually grinning so much as grimacing - their smiles do not seem joyful or mirthful to my eyes but rather almost creepy (maybe because of their wide-eyed or dead-eyed stares), and this is part of what makes them gargoyle-like I'd say (in addition to the extremely graphic element). This nitpicking aside, it is an intriguing opening as I know from reading up that the origins of these carved figures are debated. I hope this is helpful.

Jordan - About 2 years ago

Best opening: Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief" "Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood."

Moe - Almost 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing, Moe. It is interesting in suggesting a character's hybridity and their having no say in the matter. Thanks for reading our blog.

Jordan - Almost 2 years ago

i dissagree to evrything here, noy intersting at all

Max - About 1 year ago

Sorry to hear that Max.

Arja Salafranca - About 1 year ago

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