I don't remember all the reasons, but as I'm reading through my NaNo novel, I'm keeping track of these lines in a file within my Scrivener folder and I'm finding some interesting things.
- only a few of my first lines really stink
- some of them are even pretty good
- my last lines are often very short - 1-3 words
- my characters are pretty sarcastic
- putting the 1st and last lines together gives a great summary of the chapter's emotion
- reading the list through gives a great sense of the story - and of the pace (which I always need help with). Much more helpful for editing than I expected
Doing this has helped me see I've grown as a writer too. I'm coming into scenes later and exiting earlier - trusting in the reader more. (Thanks to my fabulous CPs once again!!!)
Have you ever tried this? Any great first or last lines to share?
35 comments:
There was a blogfest a few years ago where we had to post our first and last lines! It made for fun reading. I think first lines in particular have to grab a reader, they should be unusual. Seeing them in isolation helps!
I haven't tried this, but it sounds like a great idea! I think my last lines would be very short, too.
I have not tried this, but I think I might. It sound pretty interesting. Also, I think I have a tendency to end my chapters in a particular way, and this might help me see if I go to that particular well a little too often. And like you and Elizabeth, I think my last lines would tend to be short.
No, but it sounds like a great way to tighten up the lines if needed. (Since that last line needs to entice people to the next chapter.) Sarcastic? Yeah, got that covered.
I've never heard of that either but I'm willing to give it a try with my current manuscript.
This is an interesting analysis! I love what you discovered about your first and last lines, and I think you'll be able to use that information to your advantage. Scrivener has a lot to offer, doesn't it?
I've never tried this but now I'm going to with my WIP. Thanks for the idea.
Hmmm, an interesting exercise. It is hard to resist telling the reader how to feel and what to think. Hard to remember that readers like to do that on their own.
The first and last lines are always important. I love this idea!
I don't remember ever hearing of this idea before- but it doe sound intriguing. I loved hearing what you learned from doing it. I am going to give this a try! :)
~Jess
Nick - that's it exactly! The isolation helps a lot! :)
Elizabeth - it was more enlightening than I expected!
Jeff - I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learned!
Alex - love sarcastic!! I'm just never sure if mine comes across well :)
Natalie - I've found it great!
Diane - it's fun and surprisingly helpful!
Karen - you're very welcome!
Lee - it really, really does!
Susan - you're welcome - have fun!
Yvonne - I know!!! I love to spell things out ... sometimes twice :)
Chris - it's fun!
Jess - have fun with it - it's great!
Great suggestion, Jemi. I always think of first and last lines of a book, but not necessarily of chapters. I'll be sure to try this exercise!
My earlier attempts at writing had horrible first and last lines. I've improved greatly, thank goodness. I'm very aware of them today.
Beth - it's been helpful so far!
Medeia - that's awesome - I'm getting better too :)
Hey Jemi,
How's it goin, eh? Would that make a great first line in paragraph?
I do seriously believe that the first line of a book and the last line of a book should tie into the overall ambience.
I also know that the title works better if it's catchy.
Gary :)
Sounds like a neat idea and a catchy way to see how the story is going at a glance.
I've never tried this, but it sounds like a great idea!!
Gary - absolutely true! :)
Mason - I'm enjoying it!
Jamie - it's been helpful so far!
I like this. What you said about the lines giving a good summary of the chapter is exactly what I was thinking. I might try this. :)
I haven't done this in a while, but I think I want to do it again. It definitely gives a good overall feel for the writing flow.
Thanks for the reminder and thanks for sharing! Maybe we should do this as a blog hop again some day (there was one that I remember a long time ago).
What an excellent idea. I'm going to check through my lines on my latest today.
I just started listening to an audiobook that has three awesome first lines in the opening:
"I was thirteen the first time I saw a police officer up close. He was arresting for driving without a license was. I wasn't too clear on what being arrested meant either" (Chapter One, p. 1).
Shelley - it's so interesting. I can tell what the whole chapter is from those lines!
Tyrean - that's a great idea - it would be fun!
Theresa - that's an awesome example! Love it!
This is a fabulous idea! I'll have to try it on some of my WIPs.
Good idea to do this with your WIP. Might try it sometime.
I just started reading Anna Karenina by Tolstoy (as a personal pledge to read some classics) and the opening line hit me: "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way...."
Pride and Prejudice also has a memorable opening line... and Fahrenheit 451.
I like this exercise. I'm going to do it to my current WIP. Great post.
Well, I hate to sound like an echo but this really does sound like something worth trying.
Belle - awesome - it's been great for me!
Michelle - Those are awesome! I always quote the F451 line - It was a pleasure to burn. Love it!
Stephen - hope it helps you out too!
Linda - echo away, my friend, echo away! :)
I love this suggestion. I'm going to give it a try.
I haven't done this before, but I think I'm going to try it.
Great idea Jemi.
Carol - I hope it helps you out too!
Catherine - have fun with it!
Nas - it is - wish I could take credit for it! :)
Sounds like a great idea!
I like this idea, especially to see the book's pace. I'll have to give it a try.
Kelly - it's been great!
Lynda - I'm surprised how it's helped!
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