Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
Every part of a story or article, of whatever length, has its role to play but the most important is the opening line. Unless readers get past that, the rest won’t be read. So what does any opening line need to do to encourage people to keep reading?
Opening Line Requirements
There will be other things which could be added to what follows but the opening line of any writing needs to do at least the following:-
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To have a hook to lure the reader into reading more.
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Sets the scene (for a story) or the premise (for an article). Not quite the same as having a hook. I can write an opening line with an intriguing premise which is then followed by a specific hook.
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Introduces the main character (for a story) or what the article is going to give the reader (and there has to be something of value for the reader, even if it is “just” to satisfy their curiosity. I would say there is nothing “just” about this – it’s a perfectly valid reason to read!).
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Be to the point.
Not asking much then! I often find, having got the first draft down, when it comes to editing, the original opening line may not stay as that. I will sometimes discover a line further down has a more powerful hook, which would be better to lead with. This is where I bless working on a computer. I did use to have copy and paste literally and then retype an item. (I don’t miss carbon copies either!).
Now I just move things around on my Scrivener file. I am sure a lot of paper is not being wasted now given the use of screens. They make editing easier though you still have to look out for words you could’ve sworn you’d put in but are not there in fact. Your brain can out pace your typing!
Opening Lines – Methods
I use a variety of methods to create my opening lines. I like to mix things up as it keeps things interesting for me and, I hope, readers. It is also good to have more than one way into creating work. Some of the ways I create opening lines for stories include:-
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Using dialogue. It is like overhearing conversation and a reader is introduced to one character immediately.
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Using internal thoughts. Again a reader meets a character straight away. Attitudes of the character can be shown in thoughts.
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Showing a character doing something. Occasionally I’ve shown them not doing something but it is clear it is something they are expected to do. The hook here is why they’re not doing as expected. There are bound to be consequences. Only way to find out what those consequences are is to read on – job done.
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Show a situation in one line. The next line introduces the character who is working out what to do about it.
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A curiosity provoking line. For example from my Bypassing The System (Tripping the Flash Fantastic), I came up with No matter what he did, the magic wouldn’t work. You can only read on to find out why and whether the issue was overcome.
For Non-Fiction
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A get to the heart of the matter opening line. See the start of this one!
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I sometimes ask a question. The article will then answer that question. Good way of creating intrigue in a reader.
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Having picked a topic of interest to writers, I create an opening line showing why it will be of interest. The old “what’s in it for them?” ploy but this is a good thought to have in mind for fictional writing too. Just what is in your writing which will keep readers reading you? I find it is a good way to ensure I don’t waffle. All must be to the point and useful and/or entertaining to the reader.
Writing Exercises
Practicing writing opening lines is a fabulous writing exercise. It’s one I use a lot when setting exercises. Have done plenty myself too.
It is also where the random generators can come in because (a) there is a random first line generator and (b) often, if I use a random word one say, those words will trigger an idea for a sentence to put them in. Even with the random line one, I will usually tweak what has come up. What it has done here is given me a starting point.
When I set writing exercises (usually for the Association of Christian Writers Flash Fiction Group I run monthly on Zoom), I often do use opening lines to get folks started on a flash story around the month’s topic.
What could you do with the following for example?
The dragon’s jaw dropped as he was not expecting….
Mary took the left fork in the road but it turned out to be the worst decision of her life.
She was going to complete her mission no matter what.
The idea of any opening line is to make you want to read on. For a writer, an exercise like this is designed to kick start your imagination.
For the first example, I would be trying to work out what the dragon was facing and how could it threaten the beast?
For the second example, I would look at why Mary’s choice was a bad one (all sorts of possibilities could come from that – humorous, crime, horror all spring to mind).
For the third one, I would want to know who she was, what the mission is, why it matters, and what gets in the way.
So three potential opening lines have got me thinking of story ideas. And the classic opening lines from novels are often shown as great examples of how to intrigue.
It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.George Orwell – 1984
You would have to find out why clocks strike thirteen, yes?
Testing Your Opening Line
For me, the best test of an opening line is whether it intrigues me. Every writer is their own first reader. If I am excited to write a story up because I love the opening line and can see possibilities from it, that’s a great sign.
Putting your completed draft away and then coming back to it, after say a week or so, is another good test. If the opening line is a cracker, it will still grab you.
I like my opening lines to show you my character or their situation. If I’m using thoughts or dialogue to open with, I will show something of the character’s attitude so you would know there must be a clash soon. Every story needs conflict and resolution.
Reading your opening line out loud is a good idea (and even better is recording it and playing it back to yourself. This enables you to take it in as a reader would).
Ask yourself honestly do you care enough about what you’ve found out in the opening line to discover more. The answer should always be yes!
Conclusion
Opening lines, as with the rest of any written work, take time to hone and get right. But knowing what you want your opening line to achieve helps you focus on trying to meet that achievement. Reading stories by others will also show you what you like and dislike about their opening lines. You can learn a great deal here and you get to read more books so there’s nothing to dislike there!
Related Posts:-
Read interviews with Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes: Part 1 and Part 2.
Read blog posts by Allison Symes published on Chandler’s Ford Today.
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