What are the best opening lines in a book?

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What are the best opening lines in a book?

15 of the best first lines in fiction

  • ‘Call me Ishmael’
  • ‘I am an invisible man’
  • ‘The story so far: in the beginning, the universe was created.
  • ‘Mother died today.
  • ‘It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn’t know what I was doing in New York’

What is a good first line?

The first line of a story should create a sense of character, conflict, setting, mood, theme, or style — or any combination thereof. Most importantly, it should make the reader ask questions. You’re looking for a sentence that pushes readers to read the second.

What is a strong opening sentence?

A good hook might also be a question or a claim—anything that will elicit an emotional response from a reader. Think about it this way: a good opening sentence is the thing you don’t think you can say, but you still want to say. Now’s your chance to show a reader why they should want to read it.

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What is the opening line of Rebecca?

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”

What is the opening line of Oliver Twist?

‘Among other public buildings in a certain town, which for many reasons it will be prudent to refrain from mentioning, and to which I will assign no fictitious name, there is one anciently common to most towns, great or small — to wit, a workhouse and in this workhouse was born, on a day and date which I need not …

What are good opening sentences?

Examples of Great First Sentences (And How They Did It)

  • Revealing Personal Information. “School was hard for me, for lots of reasons.” –
  • Mirroring the Reader’s Pain.
  • Asking the Reader a Question.
  • Shock the Reader.
  • Intrigue the Reader.
  • Lead with a Bold Claim.
  • Be Empathetic and Honest.
  • Invite the Reader In.

How do you write a good opening for a novel?

6 Tips for Writing a Great Opening Line

  1. State your theme.
  2. Begin with a strange detail.
  3. Establish your character’s voice.
  4. Introduce your narrative style.
  5. Convey the stakes.
  6. Set the scene.
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