There is a mini-cult of first lines among us writers. The first line is sort of like the lobby of the book: the first thing you see, coloring all subsequent impressions. It’s one place where you’re truly allowed to show off.
So we writers like to geek out on first lines. We get all excited about collecting and trading them, having top-ten lists and all-time faves. We even reveal our chapter first lines in advance as tiny spoilers.
As many people have spotted, Uglies, which begins:
The early summer sky was the color of cat vomit.
pays homage to the opening of William Gibson’s Neuromancer:
The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.
I bring this up now because of this article on io9 discussing great science fiction first lines. It’s cool to read all these lines all together, and of course it doesn’t hurt that they include my adult novel, The Risen Empire, which opens with:
The five small craft passed from shadow, emerging with the suddenness of coins thrown into sunlight.
Oddly, io9 calls this line “a little adjective-heavy.” Dudes, it only has one adjective, the word “small”!
So for the sake of deep analysis, here are all my YA novel first lines:
The Uglies Series
Uglies
“The early summer sky was the color of cat vomit.”
Pretties
“Getting dressed was always the hardest part of the afternoon.”
Specials
“The six hoverboards slipped among the trees with the lightning grace of playing cards thrown flat and spinning.”
Extras
“Moggle,” Aya whispered. “You awake?”
Midnighters Series
The Secret Hour
“The halls of Bixby High were always hideously bright on the first day of school.”
Touching Darkness
“At last, everything was sorted out.”
Blue Noon
“Bixby High’s late bell shrieked in the distance, like something wounded and ready to be cut from the herd.”
The New York Trilogy
So Yesterday
“We are all around you.”
Peeps
“After a year of hunting, I finally caught up with Sarah.”
The Last Days
“I think New York was leaking.”
Soon I’m going to expand on this post, and talk about why I started books with these lines. In the meantime, I’d be interested to hear from you about them
Plus: What are your favorite first lines? Pick any novel you want, except mine!
“Flight” by Sherman Alexie… First line.
“Call me Zits.”
Eragon by Paolini… first line… “Wind howled through th night, carrying a scent that would change th world.”
From The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (Douglas Adams= made of awesome)
”It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on Earth has ever produced the phrase, ‘as pretty as an airport.’ ”
BTW, if your a novice at e cigarettes, like myself . if this makes sence the new batteries will make a funny flavor for a day or 2 as the u brake your e cig in. Just push through it and it will taste a lot better.
Guitar hero is a superb pastime, we have standard family evenings alongside one another and participate in.
An execllent article with good points, I’ve been a lurker right here for quite a while but wish to be a lot more involved soon.
Must admit the first line of UGLIES is my all time most-hated. That said, it was definitely effective as it snagged my attention. And what a great book it is.
I smoked cigarettes for most of my life and stopping was harder than you can imagine. I bought all of the quitting methods but nothing worked for me. Then I discovered the e cig. The electronic cigarette uses a nicotine liquid that contains just nicotine. No poisons at all. They have literally changed my life.
My favorite first line is from “Jeremy Fink andthe Meaning of Life”. It is:
My sweat smells like peanut butter”
that was extremely interesting in the beginning about the children.ugg classic cardy boots The idea of how adults censor curiosity i had never really thought of it like that
hi
hiya
for the large recall, but I’m rattling uxorious the new Zune, and expectation this, as wellspring as the excellent reviews whatever otherwise group scrivened, testament cater you determine if it’s the manus pick for you.
Sorry for the large exercise, but I’m amative the new Zune, and prospect this, as recovered as the reviews few other fill get cursive, instrument work you adjudicate if it’s the aright selection for you.
28 Sep 2010 … Buy Super P Force online (Viagra with Dapoxetine). Online Pharmacy with 100% satisfaction guarantee. Stay longer in bad.
Priligy Review
Dapoxetin Priligy
Buy Priligy Australia
Buy Cheap Super P Force online. Online Pharmacy with 100% satisfaction guarantee. Stay longer in bad.
Sildenafil dapoxetine . Great discounts! Free Worldwide Shipping. Best prices! 24h online support. Fast order delivery 1-3 days.
Priligy is the trade name of the drug Dapoxetine. Dapoxetine is one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) groups of drugs.
Dapoxetine India
Priligy Dapoxetine is an oral medication for premature ejaculation. Buy Priligy online in 30mg 60mg dosages. Priligy Dapoxetine is available at 121doc with …
Buy Priligy USA
Buy Dapoxetine Priligy
Top Quality Dapoxetine Only Live Support Online The Most Trusted Online Drug Supplier NO PRESCRIPTION NEEDED! ORDER DAPOXETINE ONLINE NOW – CLICK HERE! …
Generic Priligy
Order Dapoxetine
Priligy Dapoxetine Hydrochloride
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favourite justification seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing to consider of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed even as folks consider issues that they just don’t realize about. You managed to hit the nail upon the highest and also outlined out the whole thing with no need side effect , people can take a signal. Will probably be again to get more. Thanks
Its good comical YouTube video, I all the time go to pay a visit YouTube web site in favor of funny videos, for the reason that there is much more data available.
The Neuromancer first line has been a favorite for a long time. Also, the first line of Feed: “We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck.”