First Lines
Sep. 3rd, 2008 11:01 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sinkwriterI'm not sure I've ever responded to a meme before, here on LJ. However, this one, as mentioned by the lovely and talented ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lostakasha, seemed potentially fun and enlightening.
Simply list the first lines of each story you've written.
(Edited comment. Or, apparently it's this: Post the first lines from your 25 most recent stories. Do you notice any patterns?)
I've found it's interesting to see the variety of approaches people take when starting off their stories. Does that first line grab the reader immediately? Make you think? Make you pause? Make you laugh? Make you want to read more?
I'm not sure mine are anything particularly earth-shattering in any of those categories, but it was a cool exercise to dig them up and see how I began each piece. I liked the one that began with dialogue, and I was especially amused by the one that started with just one word.
Anyway, my 'first lines' list is short and sweet, because I haven't written that many stories. Which gives me another nudge to make more time for it!
Apparently, brevity is my middle name. Though I do seem to follow up these short sentences with something meatier and more descriptive almost immediately afterward.
From my West Wing stories:
Snowfall ~ He returned to the White House in silence.
Stormy Weather ~ Sometimes you need to step out of the rain.
Say My Name ~ I've heard him say my name hundreds of times.
Scenes From Hell ~ It had been a good night.
Words, words, words... ~ "What are you doing here, CJ?"
From my X-Files stories (well, there's only one):
A Winter's Night ~ Crunch.
Ironically, the story I happen to think contains some of my best writing (Scenes From Hell) seems to have the most bland opening. In my defense, that line has a purpose. But one hopes you'll see that when I finish editing the beast and post it here at long last.
Regardless, it's an intriguing exercise, isn't it? Makes me wonder how some of my favorite authors measure up, with their published novels and opening lines. Hmm.
So, all you fabulous writers out there, what are some of your first lines? :)
Quick P.S. tobardsmaid, who is lovely and talented in her own right: if you get the chance to try this, I think your 'first lines' list would be fascinating! Can you imagine? Makes me want to go to your Web site right now and start looking at all the different ways you started your wonderful stories. I may go do that. *GRIN*
Another quick P.S., this time tolostakasha: After reading your post with all your AtS listings, this morning out of curiosity I glanced through some of your Bones fic opening lines. Gorgeous stuff. I think my favorite is from The Kindness of Strangers: "As a child, I was work." Simple and straight to the point. Immediately makes me want to know more about this narrator, and why he thinks he was so much 'work.' Was he truly a challenge? Or did his mother or father make him feel that way? And what is he like today? There are other first lines of yours that I really like too, but that one was the most immediately thought-provoking. (Though I do think that the opening line to Lilly and the Jack of Hearts has one of the prettiest images, with those drifting cherry blossoms. Lovely.)
lostakasha, seemed potentially fun and enlightening.Simply list the first lines of each story you've written.
(Edited comment. Or, apparently it's this: Post the first lines from your 25 most recent stories. Do you notice any patterns?)
I've found it's interesting to see the variety of approaches people take when starting off their stories. Does that first line grab the reader immediately? Make you think? Make you pause? Make you laugh? Make you want to read more?
I'm not sure mine are anything particularly earth-shattering in any of those categories, but it was a cool exercise to dig them up and see how I began each piece. I liked the one that began with dialogue, and I was especially amused by the one that started with just one word.
Anyway, my 'first lines' list is short and sweet, because I haven't written that many stories. Which gives me another nudge to make more time for it!
Apparently, brevity is my middle name. Though I do seem to follow up these short sentences with something meatier and more descriptive almost immediately afterward.
From my West Wing stories:
Snowfall ~ He returned to the White House in silence.
Stormy Weather ~ Sometimes you need to step out of the rain.
Say My Name ~ I've heard him say my name hundreds of times.
Scenes From Hell ~ It had been a good night.
Words, words, words... ~ "What are you doing here, CJ?"
From my X-Files stories (well, there's only one):
A Winter's Night ~ Crunch.
Ironically, the story I happen to think contains some of my best writing (Scenes From Hell) seems to have the most bland opening. In my defense, that line has a purpose. But one hopes you'll see that when I finish editing the beast and post it here at long last.
Regardless, it's an intriguing exercise, isn't it? Makes me wonder how some of my favorite authors measure up, with their published novels and opening lines. Hmm.
So, all you fabulous writers out there, what are some of your first lines? :)
Quick P.S. to
bardsmaid, who is lovely and talented in her own right: if you get the chance to try this, I think your 'first lines' list would be fascinating! Can you imagine? Makes me want to go to your Web site right now and start looking at all the different ways you started your wonderful stories. I may go do that. *GRIN*Another quick P.S., this time to
lostakasha: After reading your post with all your AtS listings, this morning out of curiosity I glanced through some of your Bones fic opening lines. Gorgeous stuff. I think my favorite is from The Kindness of Strangers: "As a child, I was work." Simple and straight to the point. Immediately makes me want to know more about this narrator, and why he thinks he was so much 'work.' Was he truly a challenge? Or did his mother or father make him feel that way? And what is he like today? There are other first lines of yours that I really like too, but that one was the most immediately thought-provoking. (Though I do think that the opening line to Lilly and the Jack of Hearts has one of the prettiest images, with those drifting cherry blossoms. Lovely.)
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no subject
Date: 2008-09-03 07:43 pm (UTC)You know how I love Stormy Weather, and that's one of those perfect first lines that brings you full circle through the story. Ditto for Snowfall -- I dig the White House and silence there, envisioning the stark quiet that occurs just before or after a storm. Lovely.
I'm really happy you're looking at your stuff - I can't wait to read Scenes form Hell! And who knows, season 4 of Bones may inspire you to try out your skills in that realm. *crosses fingers*
Thanks for looking through the Bones stories! And yes, I'm so fond of Lilly... if I had the time I'd build that story out, create the universe I touched on. But I don't think the Bones infrastructure is right for it. Wishful thinking!
Now get back in bed!
no subject
Date: 2008-09-04 03:37 pm (UTC)I know! Look at me! *GRIN*
I really like this exercise. I found myself feeling some writery stirrings, in dredging up my old materials to do this. It made me want to get back to it, make time for it, start again, whatever.
Now if I could just get rid of this nasty cold, perhaps I'd have a clear head to begin!
Thanks for the compliments about my Stormy Weather piece. You were so kind about reading it. I can't remember, did I ever send you Snowfall, or were you simply commenting on the 'first line'? That particular story could use a rewrite, but I'd be interested in your thoughts about it, regardless.
I hope the creative pot gets stirred up and starts bubbling over for you very soon. The universe needs your stories.
xoxoo