Opening Lines

[Dennis Leppanen]

When browsing in the bookstore, what makes you want to read on?

I wrote a short a while back with an opening line that read: I remember the exact time we decided to kill the president. After a few folks read it, they thought it was a 'killer' opening. But, then I thought more about it, surely someone had opened with something similar before...

So, here I is; when I should be working, going through opening lines from my bookshelf.

Robert Crais: HOSTAGE---The man in the house was going to kill himself.

James Patterson: HONEYMOON---THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS as they appear.

Ed McBain: HARK---Gloria knew that someone was in her apartment the moment she unlocked the door and entered.

Donald E. Westlake: FIREBREAK---When the phone rang, Parker was in the garage, killing a man.

What's your favorite opener? The one you wrote that you like best?

[Margot Renne Payne]

Althought crime and mystery are my first loves in reading, I read a wide range of fiction and nonfiction.

My all-time favorite opening line is from Sights Unseen, by Kaye Gibbons.

"Had I known my mother was being given electroconvulsive therapy while I was dressing for school on eight consecutive Monday mornings, I do not think I could have buttoned my blouses or tied my shoes or located my homework. "

[Dennis Leppanen]

That's a goody, Margot. Makes you havta read on...

[Margot Renne Payne]

Kaye Gibbons is one of my favorite authors--a true storyteller. Here's another opening line from her.

"When I was little I would think of ways to kill my daddy."
-- from, Ellen Foster

But Sights Unseen remains my favorite book of hers. I agree that an opening line can't sustain an entire book. But, it sure as hell makes me want to dive right in. It's like a first impression. Right or wrong-- you've got about 30 seconds to grab someone's attention.

There is a great interview with Gibbons about Oprah's selection of two of her books --almost a decade after their first publication-- where she helps put it all in perspective. The whole Oprah thing that everyone puts down, I mean. Here's the link: http://www.themillionsblog.com/2003/09/millions-guest-contributor-a...

Another blog about books that makes me stay up waaaaay toooo late...

[Dennis Leppanen]

Interesting---way too many novelists out there. Of all the books listed, John Le Carre's 'A Spy Whom Came In From the Cold' is the only one I've read.

[Jude Hardin]

Dear Mr. Colt: You're dead.

I broke the seal on a jug of Old Fitz, generously bathed some ice cubes, took a hard pull. Satisfied the subject line couldn't possibly be true, I clicked open the email.

--from book #2 in my PI series

[Dennis Leppanen]

That is very good, Jude. That is true PI noir.

[Jude Hardin]

Thanks, Dennis!

[Don Anderson]

I had to revive this thread after reading the opening line to CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, by Warren Ellis, due out in August:

"I opened my eyes to see the rat taking a piss in my coffee mug."

[Dennis Leppanen]

Don,

That conjers up images where I may be reluctant to go. Excellent.