Crafting an Attention-Grabbing Opening Sentence for Your Novel

Opening sentences are the first impression readers have of your novel. They can make or break a potential reader's decision to continue. Most best-sellers and award-winning works start with a bang, and what better sentence could you start with than: "It was a dark and stormy night." Is it too cliché? Should you stick to something more original?

The Power of Familiarity and Unexpectedness

What Two best-sellers, numerous award-winning shorts, and some of the best writers in the business have in common is their ability to capture attention with opening sentences that are both familiar and unexpected. Take as an example the opening line of Dark and Stormy Knight, a 19th-century gothic novel. This famous opening sentence has stood the test of time, making it a go-to for new writers looking to create a dark, mysterious atmosphere.

Why This Sentence Works

Consider the sentence: "It was a dark and stormy night." This opening sentence is effective because it immediately sets the tone, hooks the reader into a stormy background, and hints at the uncertainty, danger, and suspense that follow. It has two key elements:

Familiarity: Readers often relate to weather, and storms can create a sense of anticipation and tension. Unexpectedness: While the sentence is familiar, its placement within a novel allows for twists and turns that keep the reader engaged.

Many aspiring writers might feel nervous about using such a well-known phrase. However, the essence of these sentences lies in the way they are used, not the words themselves. If you can make your version unique and compelling, it can still be a powerful opening.

Is This Opening Sentence the Best Fit for Your Book?

After experiencing some early success in academic writing, delving into fiction was a natural next step. While academic writing requires precision and thoroughness, fiction demands a more creative and emotive approach. A standards-based opening sentence might not necessarily reflect the tone and style of your novel. Instead, you should focus on what best represents the essence of your story:

Tone: Does the opening sentence align with the tone you want to set? Character: Does it introduce your main character effectively? Setting: Is the setting established in a compelling way? Pace: Does the opening sentence keep the reader's interest at the right pace?

Generating Your Own Opening Sentence

So, how do you come up with your own attention-grabbing opening sentence? Here are a few strategies:

Start with a Question: Begin with a question that provokes thought or emotion. For example: "Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the shadow of a volcano?" Describe the Setting Descriptively: Paint a vivid picture of a scene to hook the reader. For instance, "The sun dipped to the horizon, casting an intense orange glow over the crimson mountain." Set Up a Conflict: Introduce a conflict or tension right from the start. Try: "She knew the moment she stepped out of the taxi that this was the day her life would change forever." Use a Quotation: A powerful quote can also catch a reader's attention. For example, "Life is about change and the courage to embrace it."

Final Thoughts

Writing an opening sentence is an art that requires both confidence and creativity. While it may seem daunting, remember that you can always revise it later. The most important thing is that it resonates with your vision and engages your audience. Keep experimenting and refining your opening sentence until you find the perfect fit for your novel.