Writing Tips

Make Your First Sentence Shine (aka prompts for desperate writers)

Saraina Whitney

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife…”

“There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it…”

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit…”

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug…

The first lines of our favorite books. They’re beloved to us, aren’t they? They pull us in like warm hugs, like bees to honey. Irresistible, sometimes shocking, and always promising an adventure that can be embarked on again and again.

But when it comes to our own stories…well, I don’t know about you, but for me, the first line is often the hardest to write. You have the story ready to go, burning a hole inside you, begging to be let out, but when you open up that blank page, the cursor blinks. And you freeze up.

Your brain: WHERE ON EARTH SHOULD I BEGIN????? HOW SHOULD I OPEN UP THIS STORY AAAAA HELP ME PLEASEE!!!!!!!

Since I’ve been in that situation a few too many times, I decided it was high time to come up with a list of my all-time FAVORITE ways to start a story. They’re prompts you and I can use to break the ice and plunge straight in.

Your story can’t wait much longer to be told, so here’s the list of prompts!

my favorite first sentence prompts

  • Ask a question that makes the reader frown in thought.
  • “They say [insert saying].” Then give your character’s response to that oft-quoted line. For brownie points, make their response unexpected.
  • Plunge right into the dialogue between characters. Keep in mind that readers often forget or have to reread the first dialogue line if there’s no speaker immediately attributed to it.
  • Describe something of peculiar interest. Remember to ask yourself, why does the character stop to soak in this particular settling, or pause to describe something? Don’t settle for something generic – give the character a reason to be focusing on this. And use language the character would use so the reader is given a taste of their unique voice right off the bat.
  • Twist the cliche. Take a usual opening line (“once upon a time“) and put your own spin on it.
  • Make a shocking statement. One that contradicts the reader’s assumptions or goes against what we know to be true, ordinary, or safe. (Take inspiration from Nadine Brandes’ books for this – stick around till the end of the post for an example.)
  • For fantasy, one idea is to incorporate something unique yet simple from the world-building into the first line. Don’t overwhelm readers with complex ideas, but give them a taste of what kind of world this is. (See the first line from The Queen’s Rising later on in the post.)
  • Quote a hymn, verse, a poem, a line from a classic, any copyright-free material that is relevant to your character and the opening scene.
  • Start with action. This can be a heart-pounding shoot-out or a simple “My back ached as I slowly straightened to my feet.”
  • Open with a character misbelief. Crafted thoughtfully, this can be an arrow straight to your readers’ hearts – hitting hard and immediately creating empathy and relatability. (For example, Madisyn Carlin’s Christian fantasy novel Key opens with this line: “Love was conditional.”)
  • Intrigue with something everyday. For example, Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse begins: “‘Yes, of course if it’s fine tomorrow,’ said Mrs. Ramsay. ‘But you’ll have to be up with the lark,’ she added.” It’s such a commonplace and boring statement that it intrigues and creates questions – namely, why would the author begin it like this?
  • Begin with the character making an unusual choice – small or big. I saw this tip somewhere on Pinterest and thought it was too interesting enough to not share here.
  • Show a character being triggered by something that stems from their backstory. Something that directly roots in their individual fears and insecurities. I love this one because it sweeps us right into their unique crafted conflict and it gives us hints of their past. An amazing example of this is in Untold, Vanessa Hall’s Christian romantic suspense: “On nights like this, it only took footsteps.”
  • Break a first-line writing rule, intentionally and with purpose. (Like Andrew Peterson does in The Warden and the Wolf King. The dialogue between the two brothers is left without speaker attributes…yet it works perfectly because, since it’s the last book in the series, we already know the characters and exactly who’s talking based on their unique voice and the context. Absolutely genius.)
  • Capture the reader with contrast. This can go with the “describe something of peculiar interest” prompt, only this gets more specific. Maybe there’s a funeral taking place on a clear, bright, beautiful day, like in Grace A. Johnson’s Christian pirate romance Bound and Determined (“It was the worst day for a funeral.”) This never fails to intrigue, I promise.

how to choose the perfect first line

Raise questions, even if you don’t ask a question outright. Get your reader asking the question why.

The opening of your story should fit the tone and mood of the rest of your book. Don’t open with suspense and high-stakes action if the rest of your book is a gentle contemporary romance. Physical danger isn’t the only way to hook your readers. It’s crucial not to make a false promise to your readers; make sure you deliver on what your first sentence (and scene/chapter, for that matter) promises.

Let it excite you. You don’t want to bore yourself. Especially if you’re about to start the first draft, what truly matters is that it excites you and sparks your interest. All it’s doing is breaking the ice so words can start flowing.

DO NOT OVERTHINK IT PLEASE OKAY GOOD AWESOME.

If you’re in the final editing stages and are making the final choice for the first sentence, my best advice is to experiment, experiment, and experiment some more. Try versions of all these prompts, if you dare, to ignite your imagination and generate more more ideas, one of which just might be the winning gem you stick with.

extra inspiration

For extra inspiration, here are the first lines from some of my favorite books! (At least the ones I have on hand that I can snag and flip through… XD)

“Janner Igiby lay trembling in bed with his eyes shut tight, listening to the dreadful sound of the Black Carriage rattling along in the moonlight.”

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Andrew Peterson

“Heather had invented the game, but Picket made it magic.”

The Green Ember, S.D. Smith

“Mrs. Rachel Lynde lived just where the Avonlea main road dipped down into a little hollow, fringed with alders and ladies’ eardrops and traversed by a brook that had its source away back in the woods of the old Cuthbert place.”

Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery

“Magnalia House was the sort of establishment where only wealthy, talented girls mastered their passion.”

The Queen’s Rising, Rebecca Ross

“There was once a time when only God knew the day you’d die.”

A Time to Die, Nadine Brandes

(Is it just me…or does Nadine Brandes always have the BEST FIRST LINES IN THE HISTORY OF BOOK WRITING?)

The truth is, though, it doesn’t need to be epic. It doesn’t need to be shocking. It doesn’t need to be gorgeous. It just needs to fit your story. So if all else fails, go with your gut, and realize that maybe the first line isn’t as crucially important as you think it is. After all, there’s always the next sentence to continue the adventure. ✨

What is your favorite first line ever? Do you prefer shocking statements or more understated lines? Who’s an author whose first lines never fail to capture you? Do you tend to start your stories off with dialogue or description…or something else? Which of my prompts was your favorite? Am I the only one who overthinks first lines?

40 thoughts on “Make Your First Sentence Shine (aka prompts for desperate writers)”

  1. That was sooooooo helpful, Saraina! Thanks for the help. My favourite opening line is the one for Pride and Prejudice lol. The Green Ember opening is the amazing too! Did you know that the first line of the first book and the last line of the last book are almost the same?!?! I loved how S. D Smith did that!

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    1. Ahhhh I’m so happy it was helpful, Lydia!!! 😀 Yess, they’re both so good!!! I KNOW. 😭 I got chills reading that last line. It’s so amazing how he tied it together like that!

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  2. First lines are just the worst. First scenes, too, and they almost never feel good. But this is such a helpful post!

    (Also, I’m so honored Nick’s dramatic thoughts made it in. That might’ve been my easiest first line so far …)

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    1. Lol yes! I don’t know if I’ve ever written a first scene and been satisfied with it right off the bat. 😂 Aww, thank you!!

      (It totally deserved a place! *winks* Ooh, really? That’s so interesting!)

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  3. Ack! Thus was such a good post! I love it! I usually tweak my first lines at least three or four times but they stay similar to what they were the first time….
    My easiest first line to date was Emberling because that picture had been in my head for years…and it came alive on page the moment I started writing. 🙂

    Love this post! So helpful!

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    1. Thank you so much, Kayti! 😊 Oh my, that is such a cool experience, for Emberling! I think that’s the ideal way to start, knowing the exact opening image in your mind so the first line can flow more easily. I love that!

      Thank you!!! ❤

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      1. Of course! Lol…definitely! Though I don’t think it will ever happen again…lol…Emberling is just the story that has been in my head for years begging to be written…lol…
        🩵💙🩵

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  4. Those are some great ideas and examples!!!

    My favorite first line comes from Jennifer A. Nielsen’s The Runaway King: “I had arrived early for my own assassination.” You can’t NOT keep reading. And it is just SO characteristic of the protagonist.

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  5. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, SARAAAAAAAINAAAAAAAAAA, I am SO going to use this post!! Methinks my current story needs a good first sentence … Hehe. So thank you for this post!! ❤

    And hm, favorite author with favorite starting lines? *thinks* Miss Kristina Hall's Midnight Will Come had a good start. 😀 And Jane Austen's books usually start out fine to me. (At least, coming from a girl who likes Jane Austen. XD)
    You probably aren't the only one who overthinks first lines! I think of mine more if I'm having the story judged for a contest than if I'm writing it as my own first draft Ig. Or maybe I care about first lines either way … Hm. Well. XD

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    1. YAYYYYYYYYYYYY! *grins* HAHA. Mine too. 😜 You’re so welcome, and thank you for reading, girl!! 💕

      Ooh, I just finished reading Midnight Will Come! I agree, it had an amazing first line that immediately caught my attention! 😀 Yes!! (I’m with ya. XD)

      Ah, good! (Or…I guess, bad for you. 😛 ) Yeah, if it’s for a contest, I overthink it more than ever 😂

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  6. YES, NADINE BRANDES IS THE QUEEN OF FIRST LINES. PERIOD.

    Anyway, Saraina, I LOOOOVED reading this post!! First lines are something I just love experimenting with and trying different things and different techniques. So I LOVED how you listed several different tactics to try. Some of these I haven’t thought of before so I am definitely going to be trying them out!!!! I’m also 100% seconding your tip to not start with a false beginning. I think it’s something writers tend not to think about because you want something gripping and engaging, but unless the rest of your book is an epic tightly-paced thriller, it’s not always the best place to start. I loved how you mentioned that there are other ways to be interesting besides just throwing in an action scene at the beginning. I think my favorite first line would be from Fawkes: “I wasn’t ready to turn to stone.” or something like that. XD I’m just remembering off top my head. Though I also love the opening of All Fall Down by Ally Carter: “When I was twelve, I broke my leg jumping off the wall between Canada and Germany.” And you are definitely not the only one who overthinks first lines. I think they’re so daunting cuz it’s like the beginning of everything. So yes thank you again for this post!!! I loved it!

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    1. AMEN SISTER. 🙌 (I don’t know how she does it 😭😂)

      Awww, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Issy!!! ❤ Yay!! Me too, I love experimenting with them! Agh, yes…it's definitely a natural inclination to want to start the story with something gripping, and since action usually does hook us, a lot of writers will use that even if it doesn't fit the rest of the story. Aww, thank you!!

      Oh my goodness, I was trying to remember the first line of Fawkes! (But I didn't I've the book on hand, so I couldn't! XD) Thank you for sharing that one!! Pretty sure you got it right! 😉 It's one of those first lines that hits just as hard every time I read it.

      And now I need to read All Fall Down by Ally Carter. 👀 I am so fascinated by that.

      Yes, that's so true!! Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Issabelle!!! ❤

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  7. Wow, that is perfect timing, I just thinking about how I wanted to write my first sentence in a new story of mine! XD AWESOME POST!!!!!! I will 110% be using it for reference in the future.

    I mean, I love the starting line inside of “The Search for WondLa” by Tony Diterlizzi, “Eva Nine was dying.” I mean, if that doesn’t catch your attention I don’t know what else will lol.

    GIRL I OVERTHINK FIRST LINES SO MUCH!!!

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    1. Oh my, that’s so cool it came at the perfect time!! Yay! I hope that goes well for you, Addison! 😀 💖

      WOW. That definitely captures my attention. 😮 (Lol, exactly! XD)

      AGHHH SAME. 😭 Haha I’m glad I’m not the only one!!!

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  8. ACK!! I struggle so bad with first lines. 😂 I overthink them so much that I never actually like them. XD Eventually I just gave to settle on one, lol. But I love all of your suggestions in this post!! This was so helpful, Saraina!! Thank you!

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  10. AHHH!!! I love this post SO much! This is so helpful! 😍
    First lines can be hard (that’s why I usually just write a placeholder and rewrite it once I’m finished with the story *nervous laughs*). 😅 I love all those first lines!!! I do think that’s a good idea to look at the opening lines you love and get ideas and inspiration from them! I will definitely be coming back to this post many times!
    What is one of my favorite first lines? *goes over to bookshelf and starts reading first lines* You’re right! Nadine Brandes seriously has the best first lines! Two favorites are:
    “I didn’t cry until I was twelve years old.” —Nadine Brandes, Wishtress
    “Falling out of the sky is far less fun than it sounds.” —Kara Swanson, Shadow
    Thank you so much for writing this post and for all the helpful tips and inspiration!!! 💛

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    1. YAY! I’m so glad this was helpful to you, Moriyah!!! ❤ 😀

      Oof same! 🤣 Right? I LOVE getting inspiration from the first lines in other books!! That Wishtress first line… *sobs* It's so good. And I love that first line of Shadow!!! I've got to read that! Is it the first book in a series?

      Aww, of course! Thank you so much for reading, girl! 🤗

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      1. YES!!! It was SO helpful!!! 💛

        Yes! 🤣 Same!!! It can be so helpful to study the grates! ☺️ YES!!! It’s so good!
        You must read Shadow! It’s my FAVORITE! It’s the second book in a two book series! It’s a fairytale retelling of Peter Pan by Kara Swanson and is SO good!

        Aww! You’re welcome! Thank YOU for writing this!!! ☺️💛

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        1. Oh, girl, I’m actually reading Dust right now!!!! Shadow comes right after it, right? I can’t wait to read it!!! 🤩

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  12. Ooh, what a great post! First sentences are something I could probably use to work on a bit…I admit I don’t usually give them much thought. I am rather fond of the plunging-straight-into-the-dialogue technique, but I suppose one should only use that judiciously. 😛

    (By the way, this is my first time commenting here…so, hello! Your blog is lovely!)

    ~ Lizzie Hexam

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    1. Hey Lizzie!!! Aww, thank you! LOL, I wish I was more like that – not giving them so much thought! 😂 I bet they flow more naturally that way, as a matter of fact, because you’re not overthinking it. Ooh, I love reading that technique (though for some reason I’ve never used it in a story of my own XD)! That can be such a cool way to establish the character’s voices right off the bat. 😉

      (Aww, it’s so nice to meet you, Lizzie! ❤ Thank you so much!!!)

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      1. I think you’re right; it can flow naturally into the story when you don’t think about the first line…but I do like stunning or eye-opening first lines, which usually need some tinkering about to achieve 😛 Yes! I haven’t used that technique too much myself, but I did it recently and realized how much I liked it! I also have used it to start a chapter, after having introduced the characters – so the reader can probably deduce who is speaking from their tone, but it’s not explicitly stated until after the conversation. 🙂

        (Of course! It’s lovely to meet you too <3)

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        1. Haha, that’s very true! It definitely takes some work to really nail those stunning/eye-opening first lines 😂 Ohh, I LOVE when chapters start like that! That’s so cool. 😄

          ( ❤ )

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  14. Hi Saraina!

    You are so right and I always, ALWAYS, overthink the first line. For the book I am writing right now, the scene opens in a shopping mall and then suddenly a shooting occurs and the main character is caught in the cross-fire. I have absolutely no idea what the first line should be and only have a placeholder for it. Any ideas?

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    1. SAME! They’re one of the hardest parts of writing! Whoa, that sounds intriguing! 👀 Is it a mystery or suspense story, or something along those lines? Hmm, that’s a good question. I don’t know the details of the story, but since he’s in a shopping mall, you could play with the idea of him making an unusual choice that shows a unique aspect of his personality/hints at his backstory.

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      1. It’s not a suspense or mystery story! It is actually just an event that traumatises the MC and changes her life forever, as her mother was one of the casualties of the shooting.

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