Grabbing 'em by the b***s

[Beer-monster]

Just something that I thought I would get peoples opinions on. I've posted it here because it may provide some help to others (like me) in writing the opening lines in their fics.

I was reading an interview with Terry Goodkind, the guy who writes the Sword of Truth fantasy series (I've just finished the latest one). He was talking about the things he likes to read and how he gets the audiences attention and makes sure they want to read the rest. He said:


I try to grab the reader's interest immediately. In the beginning, you have only one sentence to catch the curiosity of a reader. I try to make that sentence interesting enough so that the reader will want to read the next sentence. With each successive sentence I carefully color in a little more of the picture, but I'm always aware of how easy it is to disturb that gathering of momentum.

Just go read the first sentence of any of my books and you'll see what I mean. It's hard to read just that one sentence and then stop. You feel almost compelled to read the rest of the first paragraph. As far as I'm concerned, that first moment may be all the time I have to prove to readers that this will be worth their time.


Does anyone else write their opening with such a philosophy, if so how do you do it? Give us examples of such lines and how your were trying to grab people. Is there anyone who would like to to this more and are interested in learning how? Are there any opening lines in novels or fics your found quite compelling? Or do you, like me, just write the opening the way it flows out and hope it will attract attention?

[Mellie]

Is there anyone who would like to to this more and are interested in learning how? Are there any opening lines in novels or fics your found quite compelling? Or do you, like me, just write the opening the way it flows out and hope it will attract attention?

Ooo! I want to learn more about that! It sounds like it would really help make my writing more interesting...then again...I also try to just let it flow and make it seem natural...but yes, if there is more material, I would be more than happy to see more...and maybe pick up a book...

[melrose_stormhaven]

I do, sometimes. It's a basic philosophy in writing, especially with novels. You only have so-so seconds or minutes to grab the readers' interest so that they'd continue. That's probably why many people spend a lot of time writing the beginning. XD