tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post945931713212608113..comments2024-02-21T03:32:15.577-05:00Comments on Jill Kemerer: Opening LinesJill Kemererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-87956488457557017542010-04-16T09:55:16.496-04:002010-04-16T09:55:16.496-04:00I have a problem with opening lines too. My first...I have a problem with opening lines too. My first paragraph needs to be changed entirely, now that I think about it.Angie Muresanhttp://www.angiemuresan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-17368258782107826282010-04-15T16:22:23.420-04:002010-04-15T16:22:23.420-04:00Quiet Spirit: Reading should be fun, not forced, r...Quiet Spirit: Reading should be fun, not forced, right? Opening lines are important!<br /><br />Patti: In your face! :)<br /><br />Kristen T: Yes, it does make sense. The story needs to mesh a bit.<br /><br />Erica: Humor or danger--great elements in an opener. I haven't read Dick Francis. Thanks for the recommendation!<br /><br />Patrice: Thank you. I agree the shock value lines annoy me--unless they genuinely add to the story. <br /><br />Lady Glamis: Too hung up? What are you, a writer? ;)<br /><br />T.Anne: I know! But to be honest, I've read books with mediocre first lines that I ended up falling in love with.<br /><br />Rebecca T: It's not my forte. I'd much rather write the end!<br /><br />Maria: You're silly! Of course you aren't lazy. You have a great blog--that's the proof! <br /><br />Jennifer S: Great line! I can relate! Now I want to read the rest...<br /><br />CMOM: You're right. Different genres need different tones. Good point.<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-12127100124341780062010-04-15T14:56:46.773-04:002010-04-15T14:56:46.773-04:00Often times I like to go back to the beginning aft...Often times I like to go back to the beginning after I've gotten into the story and write the opening line. For me it's similar to not giving my story a title until I have really gotten a chance to discover where it's going to lead. Opening lines often feel different for each genre. I love lines that let me discover what the hidden meaning behind it may be as well as the "in your face, tell it like it is" openers.CMOM Productionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04595915747223847421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-19445881863216602472010-04-15T09:24:09.203-04:002010-04-15T09:24:09.203-04:00You're right. Opening lines don't have to ...You're right. Opening lines don't have to be the first sentence.<br /><br />One of my favorites is by Kristan Higgins. And actually I think it's the second line that really makes it:<br /><br />"I'm a stalker. The good kind."<br /><br />Hilarious.Jennifer Shirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16970585847385511795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-61171023739948569252010-04-15T06:22:24.455-04:002010-04-15T06:22:24.455-04:00I loooooooove this post, especially since I love w...I loooooooove this post, especially since I love writing. Of course, I've never really editied a piece of my own work (too lazy) but you're right that the opening line usually isn't the best sentence of the book. I used to try writing titles and opening lines and coming up with story ideas from there, but it never worked, of course. <br />The only thing I really hate about opening lines is when they are cliche or utterly boring. Opening lines are basically this: I'M A BOOK NOW READ ME!!!! And if that's not what they say then I'm wasting my time.Maria Sondulehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10492185058019782246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-83705803387270789962010-04-15T01:13:09.580-04:002010-04-15T01:13:09.580-04:00Oogh. Opening lines. How I detest trying to come u...Oogh. Opening lines. How I detest trying to come up with a good one. Some great ideas here, though. I will keep them in mind.Rebecca T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11994380364321336824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-1031475041589742842010-04-15T00:20:38.195-04:002010-04-15T00:20:38.195-04:00I'll be honest, I love great opening paragraph...I'll be honest, I love great opening paragraphs, lines, whatever. They've sold me before on the novel. So I suppose that shows how important I think they are.Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-61409661996557966942010-04-14T22:59:22.900-04:002010-04-14T22:59:22.900-04:00Opening lines are important, yes, but I don't ...Opening lines are important, yes, but I don't worry about them until final drafting stage, or I'll get too hung up on it and never finish. :)Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-65328496605177737722010-04-14T20:45:40.050-04:002010-04-14T20:45:40.050-04:00Jill, I completely disagree with your "yawn&q...Jill, I completely disagree with your "yawn" assessment of your final draft opener. I would DEFINITELY keep reading after that first sentence. And that's what openers are supposed to do...keep you reading! I, like another commenter, hate openers that seem to have been written for shock value alone--or because the writer has been terrorized/ brainwashed into believing that the opener is the most important sentence in the whole book. No wonder writers develop writer's block....<br /><br />I love your idea/suggestion that the best opener may be hidden later in the opening paragraphs. I'll have to test that one.<br /><br />PatricePatrice Kavanaughnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-15655060237208191772010-04-14T18:28:56.905-04:002010-04-14T18:28:56.905-04:00I love a first line with a little humor or a hint ...I love a first line with a little humor or a hint of danger. <br /><br />Dick Francis was a master at opening lines. I love to go through his books and read the first lines when I'm trying to come up with one of my own.Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772984806574666959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-33085644592701549362010-04-14T17:52:00.020-04:002010-04-14T17:52:00.020-04:00I've found that sometimes I need to write the ...I've found that sometimes I need to write the beginning in order to determine where it actually begins...if that makes sense!Kristen Torres-Torohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903038121623389560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-83925805179125101902010-04-14T17:35:27.944-04:002010-04-14T17:35:27.944-04:00Conflict right away. In my face.
Great post!Conflict right away. In my face.<br />Great post!pattihttp://www.pattilacy.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-62319910247271454362010-04-14T17:31:44.280-04:002010-04-14T17:31:44.280-04:00Jill:
I have heard that opening lines are to h...Jill:<br /> I have heard that opening lines are to hook the reader into reading more. But I see a lot of books that have less than great beginnings that I have to force myself to continue reading.quietspirithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086016141181470311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-30346348379415063812010-04-14T16:31:56.648-04:002010-04-14T16:31:56.648-04:00Keli: You're so sweet! I've written three ...Keli: You're so sweet! I've written three books since that little gem. My opening lines have come a long way, but they never come on the first try. Just not natural to me, I guess!<br /><br />Elana: I don't like clever or cute either. Ideally, an opening line reflects the story!<br /><br />Diane J: I know exactly how you feel. Why must I obsess over them? (I'm sure your editor is very lucky to have you!)<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-8560213373159716842010-04-14T16:25:25.884-04:002010-04-14T16:25:25.884-04:00Opening lines are so difficult for me. I don't...Opening lines are so difficult for me. I don't think I've ever been happy with one I've written (I write articles - don't have that many books under my belt...I don't even have one book under my belt :) ).<br /><br />Every time I think I have a good one, I end up changing it a few days later. And then, when the article is printed, I cringe at what I thought was a good opening. Guess, I should just be happy that the editor liked it enough to keep it, right?Diane J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06638568994448668008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-28583822038253012872010-04-14T15:44:38.831-04:002010-04-14T15:44:38.831-04:00I like a story to start right where it's suppo...I like a story to start right where it's supposed to start, with just the right words to set the stage for an amazing story. <br /><br />Things I don't like? <br /><br />The use of something the author thinks is "clever" or "cute" that's supposed to make me want to read on. That just annoys me, especially if it has nothing to do with the story. <br /><br />Or dialogue. I have to say I'm not a fan of opening with the spoken word.Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-15591927048658136762010-04-14T13:21:42.731-04:002010-04-14T13:21:42.731-04:00Wow, Jill! That final draft opening line is great!...Wow, Jill! That final draft opening line is great!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing the before and after, as well as the thought process you went through to get from one to the other.Keli Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236868298400593688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-44919036656857411192010-04-14T12:58:45.046-04:002010-04-14T12:58:45.046-04:00Wow, these opening lines embarrass me. I must have...Wow, these opening lines embarrass me. I must have deleted all evidence of my massive run-on opener from the very first draft. Here's the official first draft opener and the final draft opener. <br />**cringing**<br /><br />Initial Draft:<br /><br /><i>Another dead mouse! How had she missed that one? Shelby stood up at the foot of the stairs and rubbed her bottom, sore after tripping over the beast, flying into the air, and sliding down the remaining steps with a thump, thump, thump. </i><br /> <br />Let's analyze the many problems. Exclamation point? Really? Right away? Probably not a good idea. The word "up" is not necessary, the term "bottom" laughable, and I'm not even sure where I came up with "flying through the air," or "sliding down the steps," and really, thump, thump, thump??<br /><br />Final Draft: <br /><i>Shelby Beaumont pushed open the door to her childhood home and walked into a horror film. </i><br /><br />All I can say is <i>yawn</i>.<br /><br />I KNOW you guys can come up with better openers than these!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-19124547880457852882010-04-14T12:47:26.747-04:002010-04-14T12:47:26.747-04:00Julie: I do that now too. It's too easy to let...Julie: I do that now too. It's too easy to let the first line paralyze me!<br /><br />Niki: Maybe we hit our stride in the story a few paragraphs in? I don't know, I just know I've found some truly fantastic lines in the middle of page two.<br /><br />Georgiana: Good points. True and shocking--what could be better?<br /><br />Keli: We're too much alike, you know! Okay, I'll track down the horrific opening to book five (sorry to any agent or editor who had to plow through this bad boy!).<br /><br />Tamika: I think that's true for people who tend to overwrite or who haven't quite gotten the info-dumping out of their system!<br /><br />L.E.: Your method is my method. It keeps me sane!<br /><br />Lynn: Ooh, good idea! I'm filing that one away.<br /><br />Melissa: I've come across a few of those and I agree with you. Boo!<br /><br />Susan: I don't want to read about windswept clouds and yards of prairie either!<br /><br />Susan M: Oh, look! You'll find it!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-84170011863521670522010-04-14T12:31:21.141-04:002010-04-14T12:31:21.141-04:00Opening lines are tough for me too. I'm still...Opening lines are tough for me too. I'm still trying to come up with one for my current project. Maybe I'll look further in the chapter. It could be hiding there somewhere. :)Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-9528945223430477382010-04-14T12:30:26.126-04:002010-04-14T12:30:26.126-04:00Opening lines that are miles of setting descriptio...Opening lines that are miles of setting description get one response: yawn. <br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-35020692733530504972010-04-14T11:52:20.227-04:002010-04-14T11:52:20.227-04:00Opening lines that do not fit the voice or the sty...Opening lines that do not fit the voice or the style of the story, but are only used to grab your attention. Those drive me nuts.Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-61579292786191720252010-04-14T11:29:26.335-04:002010-04-14T11:29:26.335-04:00Jill, you really have me thinking. I like the idea...Jill, you really have me thinking. I like the idea that you may find your opening line written further in your story. <br /><br />When reciting a monologue in an acting class once, the teacher encouraged me to add my my own dialogue to help get into character before the scene began. I never thought of using that technique for writing. <br /><br />Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-52619888158550045822010-04-14T11:21:21.641-04:002010-04-14T11:21:21.641-04:00ugh yeah I have trouble with opening lines a lot. ...ugh yeah I have trouble with opening lines a lot. Sometimes I just make myself throw something down and won't let myself stress over it till later. But I always try to edit as I go. Bad habit. *sigh*L. E. Neighbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00169208121575297746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-2045219136615431252010-04-14T10:56:37.769-04:002010-04-14T10:56:37.769-04:00I read once that a writer should through out the f...I read once that a writer should through out the first chapter completely and begin the book with chapter two!<br /><br />First lines are the most difficult for me, I think I want it to be too perfect.Tamika:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04874834971492028558noreply@blogger.com