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3Hotdogs

(15,728 posts) Wed Jun 10, 2026, 11:56 PM Jun 10

The first sentence - - - authors know the first sentence of a novel has to catch the readers; imagination. So, if you

were writing your next novel, what would be your first sentence?

Mine? : What do I tell her?

I went through 6 trial sentences before I came up with the one above.

10 replies

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The first sentence - - - authors know the first sentence of a novel has to catch the readers; imagination. So, if you (Original Post) 3Hotdogs Jun 10 OP

WTH just happened? 3catwoman3 Jun 10 #1

"Where's Papa going with that ax?" -- One of my favorite opening lines, ever 68er Jun 11 #2

I agree! I loved that book so much! skylucy Jun 11 #3

One of my favorites is from 'Aztec' by Gary Jennings JoseBalow Jun 11 #6

John Irving dweller Jun 11 #4

This is NJCher Jun 11 #7

Roll up your sleeve! Mme. Defarge Jun 11 #5

"A Saturday afternoon in November was approaching the time of twilight, JoseBalow Jun 11 #8

if i was writing my autobiography- mopinko Jun 11 #9

"The most important things are the hardest to say." OldBaldy1701E Jun 11 #10

3catwoman3

(30,163 posts)

1. WTH just happened?

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Original post)

Wed Jun 10, 2026, 11:59 PM

Jun 10

Or maybe, "WTF just happened?"

68er

(38 posts)

2. "Where's Papa going with that ax?" -- One of my favorite opening lines, ever

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Original post)

Thu Jun 11, 2026, 12:00 AM

Jun 11

from Charlotte's Web, no less.

I try to keep it in mind everytime I begin a new narrative project, as well...

skylucy

(4,035 posts)

3. I agree! I loved that book so much!

Reply to 68er (Reply #2)

Thu Jun 11, 2026, 12:12 AM

Jun 11

JoseBalow

(9,896 posts)

6. One of my favorites is from 'Aztec' by Gary Jennings

Reply to 68er (Reply #2)

Thu Jun 11, 2026, 01:09 AM

Jun 11

"Of all that I have possessed in my life, my memories are the only things remaining to me."

dweller

(28,909 posts)

4. John Irving

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Original post)

Thu Jun 11, 2026, 12:23 AM

Jun 11

Once said he started with the last sentence , or paragraph,
and then worked backward to write his novels .

So I guess it can work both ways ?

🤔

✌🏻

NJCher

(43,807 posts)

7. This is

Reply to dweller (Reply #4)

Thu Jun 11, 2026, 02:55 AM

Jun 11

Absolutely the best way. It is because you don’t know where your writing is going to take you.

Mme. Defarge

(9,121 posts)

5. Roll up your sleeve!

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Original post)

Thu Jun 11, 2026, 12:36 AM

Jun 11

JoseBalow

(9,896 posts)

8. "A Saturday afternoon in November was approaching the time of twilight,

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Original post)

Thu Jun 11, 2026, 03:45 AM

Jun 11

and the vast tract of unenclosed wild known as Egdon Heath embrowned itself moment by moment."

(4:03)

mopinko

(74,237 posts)

9. if i was writing my autobiography-

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Original post)

Thu Jun 11, 2026, 08:05 AM

Jun 11

to my mother’s everlasting chagrin, my father infected me, at an early age, with the ability to believe in dreams.

OldBaldy1701E

(11,794 posts)

10. "The most important things are the hardest to say."

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Original post)

Thu Jun 11, 2026, 08:06 AM

Jun 11

(from the novella 'The Body' in the book 'Different Seasons'. That book is special in that three of the four stories in it were made into films. Ironic to myself that the story I like the most in that book has never been done. 'The Body' was made into the movie 'Stand By Me'.)

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