tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17595589.post5843377011247165814..comments2023-08-19T07:50:51.818-05:00Comments on Lyn Perry, Writer: The Power of Opening SentencesLynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11998346902027037420noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17595589.post-66611547177768299672012-07-17T08:14:12.896-05:002012-07-17T08:14:12.896-05:006 sounds about right.6 sounds about right.Stoney M. Setzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16180616875899527223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17595589.post-22766792275267208902012-07-08T06:48:16.895-05:002012-07-08T06:48:16.895-05:00Thanks, Milo - yeah, novels can start a little slo...Thanks, Milo - yeah, novels can start a little slower as long as the premise is there. And Stoney, love that opening line - I've read 4 of his novels - I think there are 6 total, right? Many Dimensions and Descent into Hell are excellent, as is War in Heaven.Lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998346902027037420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17595589.post-60064971760509501612012-07-06T10:09:11.752-05:002012-07-06T10:09:11.752-05:00First sentences and paragraphs are very important ...First sentences and paragraphs are very important and a fun challenge for me. Here's a really good one from Charles Williams' "War in Heaven":<br /><br />"The telephone bell was ringing wildly, but without result, since there was no one in the room but the corpse."<br /><br />Love that one!Stoney M. Setzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16180616875899527223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17595589.post-31625904934711581002012-07-06T06:57:07.740-05:002012-07-06T06:57:07.740-05:00Short stories, in particular, have to grab us with...Short stories, in particular, have to grab us with those opening lines. With novels, I don't mind a slow burn -- but you're right: there's got to be something that catches our attention right off. In your opener, you've established the scene and the conflict, and we want to know if this guy/girl's going to die. Kind of like rubber-necking on the freeway when there's been an accident...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17595589.post-58697375896185168122012-07-03T17:49:44.074-05:002012-07-03T17:49:44.074-05:00Very good, thanks for the insight.Very good, thanks for the insight.Lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998346902027037420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17595589.post-57912776393923443802012-07-03T17:21:48.999-05:002012-07-03T17:21:48.999-05:00Hmm, it depends. There are multiple factors.
When...Hmm, it depends. There are multiple factors.<br /><br />When I write one of my epic fantasy novels, because I've already written a number in the series, I don't feel like I suffer from that "top heavy" syndrome. I'm sort of already in tune with the flow, so to speak.<br /><br />On the other hand, when I'm starting a stand-alone novel or similar, I often feel like my first few chapters are reaching for my "voice" for that piece, for lack of a better word. In those instances, I tend to feel my later chapters are better than the early ones.<br /><br />On the other hand, yet again, I have read a number of novels I felt were stronger in the beginning before wimpering off. I admit that I think I'm even guilty of it in at least one of my own early novels. My guess would be such novels came about this way because the writer was trying to become traditionally published, thus spent more time and work on the early chapters in hopes of impressing the editors/publishers. Also, those beginning chapters being ... well, at the beginning ... it's somewhat natural for them to get more of a look than later chapters; the writer is likely to see them more often whenever he or her opens the computer file, thumbs through the pages, etc.Tyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09192814826756623212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17595589.post-80099548381966715332012-07-03T14:38:00.844-05:002012-07-03T14:38:00.844-05:00Good personal example, Ty. My thoughts exactly. An...Good personal example, Ty. My thoughts exactly. And if the first sentence isn't an instant classic, that's fine - that first paragraph or two really sets the tone for what follows.<br /><br />Good discussion at Mike Duran's blog right now about whether those opening chapters (often downloaded as free samples for the kindle) are "top heavy" in that they're well written - but then rest of the novel slacks off in craft and urgency. Do you think that's a challenge?Lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998346902027037420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17595589.post-2194227447658337932012-07-03T14:25:41.593-05:002012-07-03T14:25:41.593-05:00I love a great opening line, but I find few I cons...I love a great opening line, but I find few I consider truly "great," though a number that are good.<br /><br />With my opening lines, I try to build a mystery of sorts. I try to leave the reader with questions, wanting to know more. Do I always succeed? Only the readers know. But I try.Tyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09192814826756623212noreply@blogger.com