You’ve got one line. One chance to draw ’em in. Those first few words serve a singular purpose: they open the door through which your reader steps into the story.
What, then, makes that door too good to resist?
A great first sentence is, in effect, a promise. It offers a clue of what’s to come—conflict, character, mystery, mood—without revealing too much. It doesn’t explain; it invites.
Here are a few qualities that strong openings tend to share:
They do something different. Whether it’s an unexpected image, an unusual expression, or an unparalleled assertion — a good first line will in some way catch the reader off guard.
They raise questions. The best openers create curiosity. Something in those first few words leaves us wanting to know more—What happened? Who is this? Why did they say what they just said?
They set the tone. A first line doesn’t have to reveal the plot, but it should tell us something about the storyteller — the tone, the rhythm, the perspective we’ll encounter in the coming pages.
They lead the way. Great first lines don’t try to do it all. It’s enough to give the reader a clear direction, even if the road ahead remains a mystery.
The good news is that first lines can be rewritten. And they often are. What matters most is beginning your story in a way that makes it feel alive — so alive the reader has no choice but to keep reading.
So… how does your story begin?
- The First Few Words - March 31, 2025
- Drabble Tips - March 17, 2025
- Writing Advice from C.S. Lewis - January 27, 2025