We all have favorite books. Books that we go back to time and again. The story and the characters touched us in some way and keep drawing us back. There are a lot of books that I go back to, mysteries and suspense that I shared with my sister Joni. Or fantasy and science fiction that I shared with my brother Jon. And it’s to one of these, that I shared with my brother that I’m thinking of today. How can you not be intrigued by a sentence that ends with, “…the central heating in his belly not functioning as it should be?”
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Earlier this week I read a post from A. J. Sefton called Pulling Us In: Opening Lines. It was about some of the best first lines in books. And while I agreed with many of them, I noticed one that was missing. It’s not from some best seller, but from a fantasy by Mary Brown. The Unlikely Ones. This first line draws you into this book. And after reading the book you will say, it was so unlikely, what a perfect title. So I ask you, in what direction will you take this first line?
Probably round and round in ever decreasing circles, mentally. That my default direction. An interesting and thought provoking opening. I was seeing a primitive scene until the landing strip brought me back to earth with a bump. I’m very good at writing novel openings but a bit rubbish at middles and endings. AJ Sefton’s post is interesting too. I especially love the opening lines of a Tale of Two Cities – it’s the truest statement ever and explains why my parents seem like foreigners in their own lives.
Interesting how you moved away from a primitive scene once you read the part about the landing strip. The very next line starts with. “Granted, he must have been all of 250 years old….” Now go on with your thoughts. Someday, I’d like to see an art piece from you based on one of these prompts.!
Golly, that’s a skilful writer if he’d mentally already taken my thoughts in that direction with such an obscure scene. 250 years old – of course, how clever! I wouldn’t have guessed that. I will have a go at the art piece but it will als be obscure (probably!) as I do not have the talent (or possibly enough self-belief and practice) to paint realistically. Thanks for the nudge?.
I suck at writing fiction, LOL. The character sounds either hungry or lonely to me. Maybe he is just “Hangry.”
Yeah, but it’s great fun reading it. He’s not so much hangry as depressed.
Hi Jennifer! This opening line was a teaser for sure. I’m a very visual person so I saw something like a futuristic Clan of the Cave Bears motif in my mind. And a person who is certainly cold and perhaps old. Intriguing for sure. I’m afraid that my dab into fiction writing wasn’t nearly so poetic. ~Kathy
That’s fantastic. I’m glad you imagined something from it.
I don’t write fiction but I do think opening lines to anything, including first person essays, are important!
Do you think this series would work for middle aged kids?
It’s considered an adult fantasy/science fiction book. There is some sex and a gay unicorn. But the sex is PG13 with a fade away. I first read this book when I was in High School and then I seem to reread it each decade. There are other books in the series as well.
Working on a novel and have rewritten the first line dozens of times. I’ll have to get that book that shows all the great “first lines.” Great recommendation.
Just pick up any book that dragged you in immediately. There should be a great first line.
Tony says he’s been stuck…well now I have the perfect solution!
Yes. Give it to him. I want to read what he writes!
I’ve not heard of this book Jennifer, but I agree the opening line is a doozy!
Glad you liked it.
It reminds me – initially – of the opening lines of The Hobbit. The landing strip part throws off the feeling for me, though – does it go futuristic, or is it a dragon or a giant eagle or an airship or something else that lands? I might have to look into these!
The very next line in the book reveals that it is a dragon. But what makes the story is finding out why the dragon is not at his very best and what happens next.
I love a good opening line. I love the opening line of Catch-22.
Reading books? I remember when I used to do that! Then I ventured out into this new fangled world called “bloggerland” and it suddenly took up all my free time!
I have a Kindle app on my phone. Perfect for reading while waiting.