Well, to start a book right, you need a good first sentence. For examples of unusual first sentences, try reading one of Rick Riordan's books for teens- either the Kane Chronicles or the Percy Jackson series. Both series have very different first sentences.
The key to a good first sentence is being unique. DO NOT start with "once upon a time" unless you're writing a fractured fairy tale, and even then, you need to add a twist. Maybe to the second sentence.
Start with something unusual. For example: It was barely noon, and already Nick McFee was tired of eating oranges.
Then, in the second sentence, explain a little bit so as to not leave your readers in the dark.
Here's an example:
For the third time that day, the beautiful fashion designer ripped her latest telegram into small, neat bits before washing them down her throat and past her parted red lips with a sip of wine. As if she'd throw away such a precious message! Far better to dispose of it where no prying eyes could find it. 'Although,' she thought with a manicured hand to her belly, 'it would be nice, for my stomach's sake, if Antoine would stop sending me encoded messages. I'm apt to become nauseous with the fifth, and it's only ten.'
This first paragraph opens with an unusual sentence and vaguely explains itself. We know the messages are secret, but why? What is the lady's name? Who is Antoine? Little nagging secrets like this withheld from readers keep them reading. They'll stop if the novel becomes too obvious or too bland.
Now, you try. Write several good first sentences, pick the best one, and- well, I'll see you over at point of view! |
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