Opening lines are our
way into a novel. The cover may entice us, the blurb may peak our
interest, but it is only the opening lines that introduce us to the
character, tone, voice and sensibility of the novel as a whole. It
will be the hook to snare your reader. Many advocate 'starting with a
bang' and I'd do the same, but with a proviso that the bang can be
any sort: emotional, physical, literal. A thriller could start with
an explosion, while a crime novel can start with a murder, but
equally a family saga can start with an arresting image or a shocking
scene. If it's a comedy, give 'em your best joke, so they know what
they're in for.
When crafting an
opening line, it is important not to 'lie' to your reader. Don't give
them a false opening where the character is acting out of character,
or speaking in a different voice. If it's a serious book, don't start
with a joke. If it's a romance, don't start with a killing just
because that's the only way you know how to grab a reader. A reader
wants to know who they are going to spend the next hundred or so
pages with, they want to get a good first impression of their
narrator.
Think of it as going on
a date: you could start off as a bombastic, enthusiastic individual,
but if you're really a serious, dour person then it can give the
wrong impression, and your date (the reader in this quickly
deteriorating metaphor) may not know what to expect from you. Best to
be honest, and start as you mean to go on.
* * *
NOVELS is a series of
posts looking at writing long-form stories. Have an aspect of novel
writing you'd like to see covered here? Let us know in the comments.
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