Into the Fire

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Continuing on with first things first . . .

Continuing on with first things first . . .

 

Yesterday’s first lines weren’t spectacular by any stretch of the imagination. However, in order to judge them I think it’s only fair to keep the genre in mind. If I’m headed into a thriller, a mystery, a suspense, or a legal novel, I expect a little “pop” in the first line. Contemporary romance? Not so much.

 

Are we really so fickle in our reading that if we open a novel and don’t get jazzed with the first line, we put the book back on the shelf? I understand the objective is to entice the reader as quickly as possible and to make those first words come alive on the initial few pages, but surely authors get more than a surface judgment of the first lines in their novels.

 

I’m a notoriously patient reader, but I know many people are not. Whether it’s due to their schedules or their impatience, if they aren’t sold on a book by the end of the first chapter, they’re done. That’s a huge challenge for a writer of sagas. Not that sagas are even popular with some readers, but, believe it or not, there’s a large number of readers who prefer long stories to the average 300-350 page novels with short trim sizes we see on most of the shelves today.

 

So what is it you really want from that novel you just bought? Does it ever have anything to do with getting your money’s worth? How long will you stay with it before abandoning it?

 

Lord, you’ve made room for the variety of writers in your kingdom. When we write to please you, we write from our hearts with what you’ve put there. Thank you for that. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

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9 responses to “Continuing on with first things first . . .”

  1. Mark H. Avatar
    Mark H.

    Just give me something that grabs me, or is interesting. When I write, I try to remember that every scene has to be interesting, for some reason.
    I agreed with your post on Becky’s blog–James Scott Bell has some of the best opening lines I’ve ever seen.
    Hope you’re doing well. Haven’t talked to you much in a while–I’ll try to do better…

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  2. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Hey, my friend, you’ve been busy having fun on vacation, birthday parties, not to mention work. This is that time in your life to be busy. Enjoy.
    Speaking of your writing: you know what I think. But, like I said, this is the time for business. Hope you can squeeze in some writing somewhere.

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  3. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I meant busy-ness but business, too, I suppose. 😉

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  4. Dayle Avatar
    Dayle

    I don’t think the first line has to grab the reader, I think the opening has to.
    Most first lines seem forced – the writer trying too hard to follow the sages.
    The real key is to not have a bad first line.

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  5. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I tend to agree, Dayle. And I’ve read those forced first lines. I know exactly what you mean.

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  6. mike duran Avatar
    mike duran

    I will stay with a story mainly if it is well-told. Mediocre writing is what makes me bail on books more than anything. So a good first line is often an indication that other good lines will follow.

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  7. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I’m attempting to be more selective in the books I choose to review. Hoping to avoid some of that “mediocre writing”, Mike. However, I’ve read some fairly good writing with mediocre plots, but perhaps that still falls under “mediocre writing”.
    I’m working my way to bail on books but haven’t arrived there yet. Not sure why exactly other than if I ordered the book for review, I feel obligated to read it to the end.
    Good point about the first line being representative of what’s to follow.

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  8. Dayle Avatar
    Dayle

    I stopped reading the last two books I started. I try to read at least 1/5 of the book. By then, if I have to force myself to continue, I stop.
    Usually, when this happens I have to pull out the next Koontz book to verify that I actually do like to read. He saves it every time.

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  9. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I’m hoping to be able to do that, and the 1/5th point seems like a fair juncture for the decision to stop. I’ve got several authors I can go to for that reminder also.

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