I believe I’ve said it here before, but starting things is always the most difficult part of any project for me. I tend to freeze up when it’s time for anything new in my life, mainly because I’m worried about getting the ball rolling improperly. I don’t know why, but somehow I feel as if a project that gets enough bad mojo behind it is going to crush me like that huge boulder in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Which, coincidentally, is one brilliant way to start a movie.

It’s funny how great openers stick with you, draw you in or enchant you. The other night I watched Serenity simply because I wanted to witness its stellar opening scene(s). Both the introduction of the Operative and the crew of Serenity are so memorable and handled with just the right amount of exposition.

Part of the reason I’ve been thinking about all of this is that I read an article the other day which listed 20 great opening novel lines. The subject’s officially been on my mind all week, especially as I’ve been digging into revisions for In the Blood. Speaking of, here’s my current opening line:

Two days before my dad’s funeral, I had no idea that monsters were real.

I’m kind of partial to it. It’s a lot better than the one from the rough draft, which I’ll probably be sharing in a future post next week.

While we’re on the subject, here are some other opening lines from books I’ve read/have been reading lately…

The Name of the Wind:
The Waystone Inn lay in silence, and it was a silence of three parts.

Altered Carbon:
Coming back from the dead can be rough.

Old Man’s War:
I did two things on my seventy-fifth birthday. I visited my wife’s grave. Then I joined the army.

The Titan’s Curse:
The Friday before winter break, my mom packed me an overnight bag and a few deadly weapons and took me to a new boarding school.

Alright, so the Old Man’s War quote was a bit more than the first line, but I thought it was still applicable. Also, yes, I am reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Don’t judge me.

What are some great opening lines that you guys can remember? Any from the list on Daily Writing Tips? What’s the opening line of the book you’re reading now?

Source – Daily Writing Tips

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