Ten Tips for a Great Opening Line
One cannot underestimate the power of a strong opening line: it can capture the attention of an agent, set the tone for the entire manuscript, and ensure that readers stay engaged until the very end.
Writer dream of crafting an opening line as memorable as “Call me Ishmael” or as enduring as “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth…” In writing, just like dating or business, first impressions are crucial. As mouthwash commercials often remind us, we don't get a second chance to make a good first impression.
Sadly, writing workshops often overlook opening sentences.
In writing workshops, instructors often overlook the importance of crafting an interesting first line or paragraph, even though many agents and editors will stop reading after just one or two sentences if they're not impressed.
That's why I emphasize the opening sequence when I edit a book.
I realize that the success or failure of most literary endeavors is determined within the first paragraph—and often by the end of the very first sentence.
Think of every opening line as a pebble being tossed down a mountainside: its initial trajectory determines its path and momentum, even if it may jolt along the way. Just like a pebble being tossed down a mountainside, the first few seconds of a story or novel shape its entire course. To create a captivating story, one must launch it in the right direction from the start.
Here are Ten points to remember.
There are certain key elements that an opening line should have to set the tone for the entire story.
It should have a unique voice, a specific point of view, and at least an inkling of plot and character development. By the end of the first paragraph, readers should also have a sense of the setting and conflict, unless there is a specific reason for keeping this information hidden.
This doesn't mean that opening lines need to be overly intricate or complicated. Simplicity can often be just as effective. For example, Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" begins with: "The grandmother didn't want to go to Florida." In just eight words, we already have a distinctive voice, a basic plot (conflict over a journey), and some characterization (a stubborn elderly woman). We may not know all the details yet, but we can rule out certain settings. And most importantly, the opening line sets the story in motion.
Immediately, readers are presented with questions: Why didn't the grandmother want to go to Florida? Where did she want to go instead? Who wants to go to Florida? A successful opening line raises multiple questions, but not an endless number. It creates momentum.
2. Avoid starting too early
It can be tempting to begin your story before the action starts - like when the main character wakes up on what will become a challenging or dramatic day. But unless you're retelling Sleeping Beauty, waking up is usually not very interesting or dramatic. Often, this type of beginning indicates that the writer is struggling to find their way into the narrative rather than letting it naturally unfold. Instead, start at the moment of major conflict. If the plot requires the character's morning routine to be crucial or entertaining, it can always be included through backstory, flashbacks, or later when they wake up again.
3. Remember that it's the small things that often make the biggest impact. Many writers are taught to hook readers with an extreme or unusual opening line, but what we're not taught is that such large hooks can easily disappoint if the rest of the story doesn't live up to its expectations. Starting at the most dramatic point leaves nowhere to go but downhill, and a strange or misleading hook can be hard to fulfill. As my fishing buddy likes to say, use a small hook and pull in the opposite direction with all your might.
4. Start from far away and zoom in. In movies, scenes often open with a close-up shot before pulling back for a wider view, creating a sense of revelation (like when what looks like a nude body is actually just a piece of fruit). However, this technique rarely works in writing. Most readers prefer to be set in context first before focusing on specific details. Keep this in mind when crafting your own story.
5. Don't confuse your reader from the start. It's easy to fall into the trap of starting with a confusing opening line that only makes sense once the reader has more information later on. However, many readers won't stick around long enough to get to that point. While you can include information that will have more meaning later on, your opening should still make sense without it.
6. Begin with a small mystery. It can be effective to present your readers with a puzzle at the beginning of your story, particularly if even the narrator is puzzled by it as well. This instantly creates a sense of partnership between the reader and narrator. The question doesn't have to be answered immediately - it can even drive the entire novel, as seen in David Copperfield wondering if he will be the hero of his own life.
7. Use dialogue sparingly. If you choose to start with dialogue, be aware that you are throwing your readers into a whirlwind where it's easy to get lost. One way to avoid this is to begin with a single line of dialogue and then provide context before continuing with the rest of the conversation. This approach is an exception to the rule of starting close and pulling back. Starting with long stretches of dialogue can be difficult for readers to follow.
8. Consider successful examples
Start by reflecting on what has worked for other authors. Read the first sentence of each story in renowned anthologies like The Best American Short Stories and The PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories. As with any aspect of writing, crafting an eye-catching opening line takes skill, and reading the masterpieces of others can be a valuable learning experience. However, beware of getting too engrossed in a story with a compelling beginning that you forget to put it down!
9. Experiment with multiple options
Just like choosing a title, writers often receive advice to create a short list of potential opening sentences and try them out on friends and family. This can help identify which one is the most effective.
10. Revisit the beginning after finishing the rest of the story
Sometimes, a story transforms so drastically during the writing process that the initial opening line no longer fits. Here, it may be necessary to rethink and revise the opening once the final draft is complete. However, this doesn't mean that we need to discard the original line completely. Use it in future writing.
Of course, a dazzling opening line alone cannot save a lackluster story or guarantee publication. But in today's competitive literary landscape, where publishers receive countless submissions, a striking first sentence can make your piece stand out. It can even become synonymous with your work, as seen in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four with its iconic opening line about clocks striking 13. Even if readers forget the rest of the story, a captivating beginning can stick with them long after they finish reading.
My favorite opening line belongs to Elizabeth Graver's "The Body Shop," found in The Best American Short Stories 1991: "My mother had me sort the eyes." It's impossible not to be intrigued and want to read on after that statement.
Eric Myers
I am available for mentoring, editing, and story development.
