01-23-2013, 06:44 AM | #1 | |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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I love first lines almost as much as titles
Here is a great article someone brought to my attention from Writer's Digest. Some examples and thoughts about opening a novel (or non-fiction for that matter).
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01-23-2013, 08:41 AM | #2 |
Wizard
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how can "It was a dark and stormy night" not make the list! Snoopy is the best author of our era!
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01-23-2013, 09:28 AM | #3 |
occasional author
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Some authors have used the first line of their book as their title. Songs can work with that also.
I kind of like it but only if not too contrived. A simple example would be "Wow" (delivered by Christopher Walken in the movie version.) My favorite line comes from a Chrysler "Hemi" commercial. "That can't be good!" That could fit almost any modern day story, though I haven't used it yet. Keep checking the lists, folks. |
01-23-2013, 09:53 AM | #4 |
cacoethes scribendi
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I'm pleased to see Pride and Prejudice made it into the comments, it's still one of my favourites, and indicates my preference.
Too many, too often, seem to be trying too hard. They sound like they're trying to be their own epigraph rather than a true part of the text. The ones that work best (for me) are the ones that feel like a natural part of what follows, they just happen to be also significant on their own. (As is the case with Pride and Prejudice). A contrary example (from the link), is something like this one: Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. -- Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina I do like what this says, but it doesn't (to me) really feel like part of the text. It could have been put on a page on its own out front somewhere. It was something written to be a first line, and it could be a first line to a wide assortment of books. |
01-23-2013, 10:01 AM | #5 | |
occasional author
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01-23-2013, 11:04 AM | #6 |
kookoo
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I'll be honest. First lines are not my strength. I keep trying to come up with something magical, but it always sounds lame. I believe truly great first lines are a combination of inspiration and luck.
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01-23-2013, 11:09 AM | #7 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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As much as I love them, I also don't believe there are 'perfect' opening lines, many great novels open with pedestrian lines.
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01-23-2013, 11:11 AM | #8 | |
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I think Dickens places high up for memorable 1st lines:
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01-23-2013, 11:14 AM | #9 |
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And they only become great first lines if they are in a book that is popular with the reading public at large. If the book isn't read how will anyone remember if the 1st line was well written or not?
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01-23-2013, 11:15 AM | #10 |
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01-23-2013, 01:40 PM | #11 |
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01-23-2013, 01:48 PM | #12 |
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01-26-2013, 09:11 AM | #13 |
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01-26-2013, 10:01 PM | #14 |
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Interesting. I noticed that Dickens seems to be quoted more than the others. He knew his craft certainly.
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01-26-2013, 10:08 PM | #15 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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He certainly knew the importance of the
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