When I come across collections of "amazing first sentences," they often are telling rather than showing. They summarize the situation or they contain a witty observation. They're great sentences, on their own, but they're almost separate from the story and keep the reader at a bit of a distance.
I feel like the entire concept of the first sentence is overblown to oblivion. It gets hyped up as being so important that it becomes really easy for writers to get hung up on. That's why I usually save the first sentence for last.
I wrestle more with first chapters, with one eye on the task of explaining the hero's emotional journey prior to the inciting event, and the inciting event's distance from the opening words.
It's a juggling act, impatient readers in one hand, thoughtful readers in the other, expressive analytics with three semesters of creative writing under their belts in the air, watching to see if I understand the three-act form.
I do, but my habit of telling tales in mini-arcs interferes with delivering a conclusive proof.
I like your advice. At some point an author must accept that what he's done will have to be good enough.
Great advice this. Thank you Kristen. While I think a flawed story element can be a mortal wound for a project (ex: main char that doesn’t change), I refuse to believe a single sentence can doom a project. If the first sentence is that cringe, it’ll be cut or rewritten to something that’s, as you said, fine. Any writer who gets that hung up on any single sentence, for me, that’s a red flag on how (not) easy he/she will be to work with.
Any writer who gets hung up on anything is going to doom themselves before they even start. Sometimes you have to be okay with fine to finish. I appreciate your perspective!
Well said. Feel like I’ve come a long way on the “fine to finish” mindset. There is a happy medium between that and feeling like I’m slopping through something. Years ago, I used to think these were synonymous but it’s amazing how much easier it is to finish when you let go of those hang ups. The solutions seem to come easier too.
I love this advice, because I'm one of those writers who gets stuck on the first sentence! I've learned to use a placeholder and come back for the witty line later...or I'll spend forever staring at the screen trying out lines rather than writing.
The idea of a placeholder is so great - for your first sentence or anything that you get stuck on. Then you can move on, since you'll be coming back to review EVERYTHING anyway!
100% Kristen. I was just saying the same thing on my last webinar. The hook is great if you happen to have one, but it’s absolutely NOT a requirement.
Hooking an agent or a reader also happens with voice, style and the action on the page.
Exactly! Not a requirement at all, you can hook them in other ways, even if you don’t have a true hook.
When I come across collections of "amazing first sentences," they often are telling rather than showing. They summarize the situation or they contain a witty observation. They're great sentences, on their own, but they're almost separate from the story and keep the reader at a bit of a distance.
Such a great and interesting observation!
I feel like the entire concept of the first sentence is overblown to oblivion. It gets hyped up as being so important that it becomes really easy for writers to get hung up on. That's why I usually save the first sentence for last.
That said, mine still aren't great lmao.
But at least you’re letting yourself move past it. Many writers never do.
I wrestle more with first chapters, with one eye on the task of explaining the hero's emotional journey prior to the inciting event, and the inciting event's distance from the opening words.
It's a juggling act, impatient readers in one hand, thoughtful readers in the other, expressive analytics with three semesters of creative writing under their belts in the air, watching to see if I understand the three-act form.
I do, but my habit of telling tales in mini-arcs interferes with delivering a conclusive proof.
I like your advice. At some point an author must accept that what he's done will have to be good enough.
First chapters are definitely tough. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Great advice this. Thank you Kristen. While I think a flawed story element can be a mortal wound for a project (ex: main char that doesn’t change), I refuse to believe a single sentence can doom a project. If the first sentence is that cringe, it’ll be cut or rewritten to something that’s, as you said, fine. Any writer who gets that hung up on any single sentence, for me, that’s a red flag on how (not) easy he/she will be to work with.
Any writer who gets hung up on anything is going to doom themselves before they even start. Sometimes you have to be okay with fine to finish. I appreciate your perspective!
Well said. Feel like I’ve come a long way on the “fine to finish” mindset. There is a happy medium between that and feeling like I’m slopping through something. Years ago, I used to think these were synonymous but it’s amazing how much easier it is to finish when you let go of those hang ups. The solutions seem to come easier too.
That’s so great! You’re evolving!
I take your point, but I did give up on the DaVinci Code after the very first word: “Renowned”.
Well, if you didn’t like that, you probably wouldn’t have liked any other sentence anyway ❤️
Talking of individual words, I won’t query an agent who is “passionate” about her work 🙄😉. Such a cliché.
I love this advice, because I'm one of those writers who gets stuck on the first sentence! I've learned to use a placeholder and come back for the witty line later...or I'll spend forever staring at the screen trying out lines rather than writing.
The idea of a placeholder is so great - for your first sentence or anything that you get stuck on. Then you can move on, since you'll be coming back to review EVERYTHING anyway!