Hey-o, Word-wielders,
Guess what the first sentence of your story readers will read?
Do I see no hands? Come on, you're smarter than this.
The beginning! (Who said that?)
Anyway, today that's exactly what I'll be talking about. The first words of a story are important for grabbing your readers attention and making them plunk themselves down because they want to know what's gonna happen. Their curiosity needs to be piqued, or you may have lost them before they even got to that epic scene halfway through your book.
So, what do you put in a story beginning to grab this attention? Something that's makes them go, "What's going to happen?" or, "Why did they say that/do that/think that, etc." You make your reader ask questions, whether consciously or subconsciously.
Now, for some examples. This includes short stories I have written as well as published works.
I have never seen the sun.
-Silhouette of Torlin by Claira Teichroeb
He was the best of toms, he was the worst of toms.
-The Cheshire Cheese Cat by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright
The first baby was born strong, healthy.
The second one was still.
-Daughters of Irin by Claira Teichroeb
Why had I ever agreed to do this?
-Taking a 12th Century Knight Shopping in Costco by Claira Teichroeb
"Angle it the other way!" West screeches, holding his mirror up in the air.
-The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie
Do these first lines make you curious? Are you scrolling through book reviews or Amazon trying to find out what this book is about?
If you are, the first lines are doing their trick.
Look how each of the examples has the potential to hook readers. Why has this person never seen the sun? What makes this tomcat the best and worst of his kind? Why is West screeching and holding up a mirror?
Now, it's your turn. Practice writing story starts that make readers interested in learning more. And if you have any questions or what to show me your own story starts, shoot me one down in the comments.
May you live for Christ and give Him praise.
~Claira
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