All the best first lines are taken.
"Call me Ishmael"
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"
"In the beginning ."
And the ever popular, "Once upon a time."
I got a million of them, because there are a million and a half great and famous first lines. It makes it hard for any author when they're up against these classics. But if you tell a story it has to begin somewhere.
I used to start with weather. I like atmosphere. I'm not a thousand years old, but I remember that novels used to start by setting the stage. Misty moors, foggy city streets, murky alleys, chill winds whistling around the house, brilliantly sunny mornings with meadows for heroines to dance through, and rapturously starry nights for lovers to meet and smooch in.
But they (read: editors, readers, critics) don't want atmosphere anymore. And to tell the truth, most of the Great Firsts aren't about atmosphere. Of course, maybe the most famous one of all is.
"It was a dark and stormy night."
For some reason, a crackerjack opening like that isn't wanted anymore. Poor Snoopy. No, today's reader must be hooked from word one, and whatever weather is - its not a hook. So the author has a choice: start with what? A blank page filled with something that will entice: a lure, a bit of bait, a strange or familiar circumstance that will make the reader turn - the - page.
Rain won't do that.
So I changed. I began to start with characters, since they are the reason for the book. In fact, in looking back (which youre not supposed to do in a new year) nevertheless, I discovered my last trillion books or so start with a character in a time, place or situation that I hope will entice my readers to find out what Im going on about, and what's going to happen next.
Now after browsing through my books, I realize I have sometimes aced it with first paragraphs. I could positively slay you with those! But I promised first lines, and so I gird my loins and here we go:
"'I do,' she said, and only then wondered what she had done."
TO WED A STRANGER Avon Books
"Good Lord, but he was beautiful."
BRIDE ENCHANTED Avon Books
"Bedamned to all men, the young woman said angrily. "I'll marry and be done with them!"
HOW TO SEDUCE A BRIDE- Avon Books (OK - sue me, two lines.)
"Only one wedding guest was frowning"
THE CHANCE, Avon Books
"The fish and fowl had been brought in; now the company looked for red meat."
- Me writing as Edith Felber, QUEEN OF SHADOWS, NAL
Now I offer you a chance to win an oldish book. In fact, the very first book I ever wrote for AVON. If that's not hint enough, the first line is:
"She was enjoying herself until she saw the man watching her."
Got it? If you do, then tell us here, and a perfectly neutral arbitrator will choose one of you to get a signed copy of said book! Extra hint: it began a loosely linked series; several book titles starting with the third letter of the alphabet. And there was a top hat on the cover. 'Nuff said!
As for the new, 2007 book coming out? Thats in May. The 27th of May to be exact. (Please tattoo that somewhere upon your adorable person so you dont forget.)
And the first line of HIS DARK AND DANGEROUS WAYS is:
"'As you were saying?' the lady cooed to her gentleman caller when he paused for a moment."
None of this is exactly "Call Me Ishmael."
I know that. But I tried. Those lines were written to begin a story and tempt you to go on and read it.
Did I succeed?