tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post8111428288623741666..comments2023-10-23T12:40:22.672-07:00Comments on The Writers Alley: Writing that First LineSherrinda Ketchersidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-71686645301064833892012-04-10T15:36:24.045-07:002012-04-10T15:36:24.045-07:00Lovely post. My favorite line was: Nothing deepens...Lovely post. My favorite line was: Nothing deepens a stream like a good rain...or makes it harder to cross. <br /><br />I love lines that prove to be symbolic or theme related, and I suspect that this one is. Will now have to go read the book :D<br /><br />Thanks for all these lovely openings!<br /><br />Have a great week.<br /><br />MartinaMartina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-36808723994345056482012-04-05T08:48:00.463-07:002012-04-05T08:48:00.463-07:00Loved this post! I'm struggling with my first ...Loved this post! I'm struggling with my first line right now. I've rewritten it so often, I'm almost sick of it.<br />I needed this post.<br />Thanks!Jackie Laytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11921544145225306649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-54557430339780231892012-03-31T20:30:24.493-07:002012-03-31T20:30:24.493-07:00OH, CASE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS!!!
First lines ha...OH, CASE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS!!!<br /><br />First lines have to one of my FAVORITE things in a book, seriously!! And thank you SO much for including my first line from APMP in this great grouping of first lines!!!<br /><br />One of my faves is from Mary Connealy's Calico Canyon:<br />The five horsemen of the Apocalypse rode in. Late as usual.<br /><br />Of course, I have tons more included in a Seeker blog I had more fun writing than just about any other. It was called "The Perfect Pick-Up Line ... Or How to Hook a Reader!! There are SO many famous first lines in there and some of my faves in the Christian market as well, along with tips on what makes a good first line. Here's the link if anybody wants to take a look: <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2010/07/perfect-pickup-line-or-how-to-hook.html" rel="nofollow">The Perfect Pick-Up Line</a><br /><br />But, seriously, SUCH a fun subject!!<br /><br />Hugs,<br />JulieJulie Lessmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00406395645316139292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-53363061361464148732012-03-29T17:56:32.489-07:002012-03-29T17:56:32.489-07:00KATHLEEN, these are just a few of my favorite book...KATHLEEN, these are just a few of my favorite books. All of which got 4 or 5 stars from this year. The story that follows is in perfect harmony with that first line.<br /><br />And GREAT first line. Oh. My. Goodness. I want to know more. Right now. Great, GREAT work!!Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-18414609783512560612012-03-29T17:55:21.509-07:002012-03-29T17:55:21.509-07:00JOANNE, maybe a tiny bit, I stumble a little bit o...JOANNE, maybe a tiny bit, I stumble a little bit on the cadence, but it is *so* close. A great attention grabber!<br /><br />HEATHER, that is a great first line. I don't read memoirs, but it seems like one to fit the kind of book you're writing. It incorporates story elements and encourages the reader to get caught up in the moment. Nice!Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-45613635477738944942012-03-29T17:45:19.341-07:002012-03-29T17:45:19.341-07:00LINDSAY,then hopefully you'll be able to share...LINDSAY,then hopefully you'll be able to share with us eventually. ;) Isn't it fun to craft that first line? I love it! It can become obsessive though. ;)<br /><br />JILL, I'm glad it was helpful to you! It was a fun one to write.Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-77552613531168022522012-03-29T09:31:00.204-07:002012-03-29T09:31:00.204-07:00First lines are crucial! Thanks so much for sharin...First lines are crucial! Thanks so much for sharing this post! There are more than a few books I'm going to pick up just from the first lines you've shared on here=)<br />And speaking of first lines, here's mine:<br /><br />I came home from the hospital on the anniversary of my sister’s death.Katie Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08915462239326916701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-43421864929963036302012-03-29T08:38:30.355-07:002012-03-29T08:38:30.355-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Heather Marstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17442467779057850945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-80097637813801260992012-03-29T08:38:03.058-07:002012-03-29T08:38:03.058-07:00Great post. I've been studying openings and yo...Great post. I've been studying openings and you gave some good examples. I would definitely keep reading your story based on the first lines. Here's the first few lines of my WIP - memoir - "Tell Me What He Did." It's a memoir of healing from abuse and it was suggested that I not start with an abuse scene - so I started with a boys' game - figuring most of my life is subject to boys' games - at least until I heal :)<br /><br /> “Run!” I yell to Pam. “They’re right behind you.”<br /><br /> She dodges the boys, races past Mommy’s vegetable garden, and heads toward the maple tree in her backyard. If she touches the trunk, we win, and the boys will finally have to keep their promise to play house with us.Heather Marstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17442467779057850945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-14390034787293782202012-03-29T08:10:44.201-07:002012-03-29T08:10:44.201-07:00TOTALLY fun post! Some great first lines!
And the...TOTALLY fun post! Some great first lines!<br /><br />And the first line in MY WIP?<br /><br />"Thirteen years old. An adult in Hebrew society – had she been a boy, anyway."<br /><br />May need to fiddle with it. The paragraph after I LOVE.Joanne Sherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892365662470655717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-40408590931095423172012-03-29T07:39:37.931-07:002012-03-29T07:39:37.931-07:00Great post, Casey! I will definitely print this f...Great post, Casey! I will definitely print this for my writing notebook. Thanks!Jillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-3182964566797154782012-03-29T07:38:37.274-07:002012-03-29T07:38:37.274-07:00Love, love, love these!!
I would share my first ...Love, love, love these!! <br /><br />I would share my first line, but I entered it into the Frasier and Genesis, and I think a few judges might be reading this post. Wouldn't want to disqualify myself! :PLindsay Harrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09379628592162011068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-26026910027574133412012-03-29T07:29:42.023-07:002012-03-29T07:29:42.023-07:00JEANNE, isn't Fools Rush In a great novel? My ...JEANNE, isn't Fools Rush In a great novel? My whole family loved that series, one of my favorite contempories. SMW does a great job of crafting her first lines and that one from My Foolish Heart is a fantastic one. Instantly shows conflict, character depth and what she wants. So much said in so few!<br /><br />BETH, I'm reading The Wedding Dress too right now, a wonderful start to the book. Very true deduction on her first line. I'm excited to finally read yours in print. ;))Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-59695163668143401662012-03-29T07:27:45.961-07:002012-03-29T07:27:45.961-07:00ANDREA, you have it! Absolutely correct. :)
MELIS...ANDREA, you have it! Absolutely correct. :)<br /><br />MELISSA, and there are sooo many great lines to choose from and learn. I literally will just open a book for that first line to see how it hits me. <br /><br />I LOVE your first line. Great capture, I love those kind of character introspection lines.Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-41473778496608905472012-03-29T06:23:55.669-07:002012-03-29T06:23:55.669-07:00Casey,
Loved this post and the glimpse at all the ...Casey,<br />Loved this post and the glimpse at all the first lines. I just finished reading Rachel Hauck's The Wedding Dress: It was the breeze, a change in the texture of the unseen that made her look up and walk around a stand of shading beech trees. <br />I love the rhythm of that first sentence -- the bit of music in it & how it hints at something happening ... changing.Beth K. Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032849469366266791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-83652264699352359342012-03-29T06:17:46.936-07:002012-03-29T06:17:46.936-07:00Casey, so fun. I'm reading Fools Rush In right...Casey, so fun. I'm reading Fools Rush In right now on my Kindle. Wasn't sure how I'd like it in the beginning, but now all I want to do is finish it. :)<br /><br />I'm learning from Susan May Warren the beauty of contrast in a first line. I couldn't decide which line of hers I like best, so I'm sharing two. :)<br /><br />From My Foolish Heart: "For two hourse a night, Monday through Saturday, Isadora Presley became the girl she'd lost."<br /><br />And from The Shadow of Your Smile: "Noelle longed for the redemption that came with a fresh snow."<br /><br />Appreciate your tips and things to consider when writing first lines, Casey. Thanks for sharing such great examples.<br /><br />MELISSA--LOVE the line you shared from your book!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-62381472430082874482012-03-29T04:36:52.981-07:002012-03-29T04:36:52.981-07:00Ooh, I loved this, Casey! Loved, loved, loved it. ...Ooh, I loved this, Casey! Loved, loved, loved it. It was fun recognizing some of my favorite first lines and books in your list.<br /><br />I think Susan May Warren has an incredible knack for first lines. I loved her first line in Heiress: "With the wrong smile, her sister could destroy Jinx's world."<br /><br />First line of my just-finally-finished second book: "On any other day of the year, she could almost forgive herself for the lie."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620457068731162013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-80076680708639103842012-03-29T03:42:46.146-07:002012-03-29T03:42:46.146-07:00These examples really show how the first line sets...These examples really show how the first line sets the tone of the novel. Thanks!Andrea Mackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15250681746122381149noreply@blogger.com