Agents, publishers, editors... They have a very busy schedule and they don't spend hours on every manuscript they receive. So it's your job to get their attention right away. Not in chapter three, but in the first chapter. To be more precise: in the first sentences.
Writing Novels: Start Writing a Great Opening Line
The first sentence is - together with the last one - the most important sentence of your novel. It is your job to get the reader's attention right away and to get them hooked. And you can do this with your first sentence. In order to write a great first sentence, you have to present the reader with the feeling that something is about to happen to the character: a feeling of motion.
Here are some examples of sentences that would be good for opening a novel with:
- Sue woke up from the sound of the phone and looked at her watch: it was three in the morning.
- Dave was sure that is was only a matter of seconds before the attacker would use his knife so he had to act fast.
- Katie tugged at my sleeve and jumped frantically up and down.
These three sentences give the feeling of motion and the reader finds himself right in the action. What happens does not have to be as huge as a hotel blowing up or a bank getting robbed. A phone call in the middle of the night is already enough to get the reader believe that something unsettling is about to happen.
The First Chapters: Beginning Strong
Once you get the reader hooked, he's drawn into the events of the first chapters. This is often also called Act One. Now what do these first chapters need to do?
- They have to get the reader's attention, as soon as possible. Preferably from the first sentence already.
- They need to establish a bond between the main character and the reader.
- Establish the tone of the novel. Is it a weeping romance or a terrifying thriller?
- The reader needs to discover what the character's goal is.
If you can pull all of these things of, you have a strong beginning and the reader will want to read on to the next chapters.
How to Write a Book by Asking 'Why'
When you are writing, you always has to ask why something happens. Is it really crucial for the reader to know what the main character ate for breakfast yesterday? If the eggs were infected with a killing virus that is taking over the world, then yes. But otherwise, it just keeps the plot from moving. This does of course not mean that you can never use descriptions, but they should be short and relevant to the story.
Remember that an agent or publisher is the first person that will read your book. You only get one shot with them, so increase your chances by writing a compelling beginning.
If you want to read more about how to write a book, be sure to check out Writing Novels: the Structure of a Novel Plot.
Sofie De Cocker - Sofie is an experienced freelance writer and book translator. She writes for small and big companies and she is the editor of the Flemish ...
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