How to Write a Good First Line

Summary

This video explores the art of crafting compelling first lines in storytelling. The speaker emphasizes that a strong opening sentence should evoke questions, introduce character, create vivid imagery, or hint at a theme. The script analyzes famous examples from literature, illustrating how first lines can spark curiosity and draw readers in. Whether through conflict, humor, oddities, or setting, a memorable first line serves as an invitation to continue reading. The video also offers tips for various genres and encourages writers to experiment with different approaches.

Takeaways

• 📚 The first line of a story should create a sense of character, conflict, setting, mood, theme, or style to engage readers.
• ❓ A powerful first line raises questions, making the reader eager to know what happens next.
• 👥 Character-based openings introduce a key figure, often highlighting their unique qualities or a defining moment.
• 🌄 Imagery-focused first lines set the tone and atmosphere, often establishing mood or drawing attention to important objects or places.
• ⚔️ Conflict, especially involving crime, death, or tension between characters, is a common element in first lines, as it generates immediate reader interest.
• 📖 Some first lines emphasize theme, offering broad, universal statements that hint at the novel's central ideas.
• 😂 Humor can be a powerful tool in opening lines, particularly through surprising or witty descriptions of characters or situations.
• 🎭 First lines in literary fiction tend to focus on setting or theme, while genre fiction prioritizes conflict, narrative voice, and punchier structure.
• 📅 Many classic and modern first lines make use of unusual or striking details to create oddities that catch the reader's attention.
• ✍️ Writing a strong first line is important, but it must be followed by an engaging scene to maintain the reader's interest.

Q & A

What is the main thesis presented in the script regarding the first line of a story?

The main thesis is that the first line of a story should create a sense of character, conflict, setting, mood, theme, or style, or any combination of these. Most importantly, it should make the reader ask questions.

Why are questions considered the most powerful ingredient in a first line?

Questions are the most powerful ingredient because they compel the reader to continue reading by creating curiosity about the story. When a first line raises a question, the reader feels an immediate need to know what happens next.

Can you provide an example of a first line that raises questions and how it achieves this?

One example is Octavia Butler’s *Kindred*, which opens with the line: 'I lost an arm on my last trip home.' This line raises questions about how the narrator lost their arm and what the context of this incident was, immediately drawing readers into the story.

What role does conflict play in writing an engaging first line?

Conflict in a first line grabs the reader's attention by presenting a problem or tension that promises future trouble. For example, Stephen King’s *The Gunslinger* opens with 'The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed,' immediately suggesting a chase and conflict between two characters.

How can oddities in the first line generate reader interest?

Oddities in a first line, like Orwell’s 'the clocks were striking thirteen' from *1984*, introduce something unusual or strange, prompting the reader to want to understand why something seemingly impossible or odd is happening.

What are some examples of first lines that involve death, and why are they effective?

Examples include 'Maman died today.' from *The Stranger* by Albert Camus and 'Marley was dead: to begin with.' from *A Christmas Carol* by Charles Dickens. These lines are effective because death is a universal theme that immediately engages readers, tapping into their curiosity about mortality and its consequences in the story.

How does introducing a significant event or person in the first line help in establishing a story?

Introducing a significant event or person can immediately signal a pivotal moment in the story that changes everything for the character. For example, the line 'Everyone my age remembers where they were and what they were doing when they first heard about the contest.' from *Ready Player One* hints at a major event that will shape the plot.

What are the potential pitfalls of opening a story with dialogue?

Opening a story with dialogue can be risky because the reader hasn’t yet grounded themselves in the setting or character, making it harder to engage with the conversation. Without context, the dialogue might feel detached from the story. However, it can work if combined with a strong visual or context, like in *Charlotte’s Web*: 'Where’s Papa going with that ax?'

How does genre influence the approach to writing a first line?

Genre influences the style and focus of the first line. For example, literary fiction may prioritize setting and theme, while genre fiction like fantasy or sci-fi might emphasize conflict or narrative voice. The first line often hints at the genre, helping to set reader expectations.

Why is it important for a first line to not only be interesting but also lead into an enticing opening scene?

A first line can grab attention, but it needs to be followed by an opening scene that further engages the reader. A strong first line invites readers into the story, but the scene that follows must sustain that interest by continuing to develop the characters, setting, or conflict in a meaningful way.