That All-Important First Sentence. . .

I decided to blog about first sentences because first sentences are super-important.

When I was a teenager sitting in math class, I'd hide my notebook under my binder and pen the first lines of my immortal novel. . .

"It was April, and everywhere, the blossoming forsythia foretold that spring was about to arrive."

I never got much further than that. With such a boring sentence, where did I have to go? So, I decided to be a singer instead.

(Obviously, this isn't where my story ends)

Fast-forward a few years to when I tried writing again. I took a workshop with a great writer, Richard Peck, and he said, "A first sentence should make the reader ask why." That means it should leave readers with questions, so they'll read on. It should thrust the reader into the story. A lightbulb moment for me!

One of my favorite first sentences is from Little Women: " 'Christmas won't be Christmas without presents,' grumbled Jo, lying on the rug." I immediately wanted to know why Jo had no presents. And who can forget, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . ."?

I tried it, and it worked. My favorite first sentence I've written is, "I should never have come back to Miami." Questions? Yes. Why did he leave Miami? Why did he come back? Why shouldn't he have? Waaaay better than the "blossoming forsythia" thing.

What is your favorite first sentence of a book you've read? Your favorite first sentence you've written?

Alex Flinn
Author of Diva