Everything is cyclic and first line contests seem to be making a comeback. Some contests just offer feedback, while other contests are judged by published writers, agents, or even editors.
Now, I don't have a problem with first line contests. Heck, I've advanced in a few of those contests with some of my first lines, BUT not every first line is meant to be riveting. AND I'm tired of first lines used as shock value (usually graphic in nature)--it's overdone and boring. Trust me.
First lines are just as subjective as any other part of writing.
In general, first lines should convey the tone of the story. Sometimes they are dialogue, narrative, description, or whatever. They can be first person, third person, omniscient, the protagonist's POV, the antagonist's POV, or a casual observer. The first line should work for your story, not against it. Don't use a first line as a shocker unless you can back it up with a story that keeps the reader on her toes.
Here are a few first lines that I've read recently or are from the books are in my TBR pile:
1) "Got the Old Prune, Sid?" asked the grave robber.
2) Buckingham Palace, Rebecca Marshall still couldn't believe she was going to be living there.
3) "They are what?"
4) Henry, Kansas, is a hot town.
5) Irony was fickle, messed-up bitch, Angela thought.
6) I sat down next to Michael and said, "I think you're in danger."
7) He couldn't sleep.
8) "One day, he's going to kill me."
9) "There is nothing complicated about our little arrangement, Mr. Batt."
10) Sunday morning began with the awful realization that I'd made the biggest mistake of my life.
For me, some of the lines work, but others leave me flat. I'm intrigued by # 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, considering that's more than half of them I'm a little surprised. Of course, I chose these books for a myriad of reasons and just because the first line doesn't draw me in isn't any reason not to keep on reading.
1) The Mummy's Mother by Tony Johnson, a middle grade novel
2) A Rogue of My Own by Johanna Lindsey, a historical romance
3) Changeless by Gail Carriger, steampunk (historical paranormal in Victorian times)
4) 100 Cupboards by N. D. Wilson, a middle grade fantasy adventure
5) Enemy Lover by Karin Harlow, paranormal romance
6) The Warrior by Jim Butcher, UF novella
7) Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn, a historical romance
8) Skeleton Bayou by Melanie Atkins, a romantic suspense
9) Zinnia by Jayne Castle, a futuristic romance
10) Philippa Fisher's Fairy Godsister by Liz Kessler, a middle grade novel.
It's all subjective and I bet many of your favorites aren't mine. In other words, don't beat yourself up if you don't make the cut in a first line contest.
It's just one person's opinion.
Write on!
I like grabber first lines but not contrived.
ReplyDeleteIf the first paragraph doesn't intrigue me, then I doubt I will read on.
Most of the 'grabber' first lines that I've read--in first line contests--tend to be sexual in context. I don't think it works unless the author writes hot stuff.
ReplyDeleteI usually pick up a book because of the author's name, title, cover, and/or back cover blurb, THEN I look inside.
I open a book to a random page and read a few paragraphs. Oddly enough, I also tend to read the LAST page first.
ReplyDeleteI check the last page, too!
ReplyDeleteI started that when I was 14 or 15--I wanted to make certain the H/H got together in the end.
I stopped doing it for awhile, until I was scammed by The Horse Whisperer. NOT a romance when the idiot commits suicide by horse. Personally, I felt sorry for the horse!
I saw the horse whisperer movie and was disappointed that it was a people story and not a horse story :) So much for my concept of romance....
ReplyDeleteI hate first lines that are purely for shock value. I bet at least half of the contest entries I judge have them, and they drive me nuts.
ReplyDeleteIf I don't know the author, I'll flip open to a page, too. I never read the first page in the store.
And it's rare that I get past page 50 without reading the last scene.
Glad I'm not the only one, Marilyn! :-) Shocker lines seem to be a trend, I think eventually beginnings will become less clunky and smoother. . . at least, I hope so.
ReplyDelete