"Nobody but a reader ever became a writer." ~Richard Peck

What are the three things typical bookstore shoppers do when browsing for a new book?  

1. Look at the cover

2. Read the synopsis  

3.  Read the first line

I had the pleasure of joining author Richard Peck in a seminar at the Readers and Writers Conference at Columbia University this Spring. During the seminar, he emphasized the importance of first lines. Furthermore, he encouraged writers to model their first lines after other famous writers--not by stealing the words but by borrowing the intent of the line. The more voracious a reader we are, the more fodder we have for our writing. Here are a few famous first lines.

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

"'Where's Papa going with that ax?' said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast."

This provocative question evokes many other questions. Why does Papa have an ax? Is he killing something? Is he killing someone? Why does Fern not sound comfortable with Papa holding an ax? The reader is already engaged before they hit the second line.

The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler  by E.L. Konigsburg

"Claudia knew she could never pull of the old-fashioned kind of running away." 

The reader is immediately on Claudia's side. They want her to try. To pull something off she feels is impossible. Also, the reader is curious. What is the "old-fashioned" kind of running away? How is it different from the "new" version?

The Teacher's Funeral  by Richard Peck

"If your teacher has to die, August isn't a bad time of the year for it."  

Few of us consider the proper time of year for the death of someone we know. And, as much as I hate to admit it as a teacher, I'm sure there are those students who are intrigued by a teacher dying so close to the school year. What will happen? Will school be cancelled?

The Graveyard Book  by Neil Gaiman (2009 Newbery Winner)

"There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife."

The mixture of darkness and a knife sets the tone for the entire book.  We're sucked into the action right away.

Now take one of the examples and plug in the feel of your story.  For example, here's a first line for my novel, O.Y.L. based on Richard Peck's line.

"If you're going to fall in love with your English teacher, freshman year isn't a bad time of the year for it."

Or maybe one based on Neil Gaiman's line:

"There was a hand rustling among the branches, and it held an apple."

Even if you never use these lines, it's a wonderful exercise in developing style and action. Richard Peck admits to spending at least one day per month at the book stores with his writer's notebook.  The task?...To copy down first lines of the most recent releases.  After all, when you know what publishers are looking for, it puts you one step ahead of the competition.

I look forward to modeling after your first lines in the future.

~Scott Heydt

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

http://scotthbooks.blogspot.com