As writers, and as readers, we know how important beginnings
are. The first line, the first paragraph, the first page—that’s what determines
whether or not the reader decides to invest more precious time in your story or
not. I’m going to deal with short stories today.
I have some first lines I’m proud of. And some that work
okay. I’ll put some of mine out there. Feel free to rip me up—I mean rip my
WORK up, not me. (Although it does feel that way, right, writers?) Also feel
free to tell me some of yours that work, or some famous ones you love.
“Grist for the Mill” (have to say this, my Agatha nominated
story) in A MURDER OF CROWS:
Kevin Grady couldn’t wait to get outside.
***I hope I’ve made the reader wonder why he wants to go
outside and can’t wait.
You know, I like the first line of the second paragraph
better:
When he choked on it, he stopped and looked around, spitting
out the foul taste he had inhaled.
***Now you have to wonder what he’s choking on. Much more
important.
“The Darkest Hour” in DAY OF THE DARK, 2017
I think it was on a Saturday afternoon when Tom got the
bright idea to rent out our spare room for the eclipse. I wish I’d just killed
him then.
***Two sentences, but I have to use both of them to entice
you into the story.
“Dream Girl” in BOULD Anthology, 2019
She stretched with delight. What a
great dream that had been!
***Of course, here, I want you to
wonder what the dream was. That’s revealed over the course of the story, which
I hope confuses the heck out of the reader.
“The Bible Belt Buckle Killer” in Suspense Magazine, Fall of 2018:
Isabel Musik dropped her Bloody Mary when she heard the
scream.
***This is my second Isabel Musik
story. She’s a “reformed” vampire, so it’s fitting she’s drinking a Bloody
Mary.
I’ll put a few more of mine out
here, then step aside and let you post yours.
“The Truck Contest, Fish Tales”
(the first Guppy anthology):
The
first time I saw it I assumed it was an accident.
“Levittown Louie,” Mysterical-E, Spring 2007
First
off, Kimber's entrance to the Ground Hog Day Ball was disastrous.
“Handbaskets,
Drawers, and a Killer Cold,” Crooked,
January 2009:
“If your brother screws up once more…” Cal Arnold’s tirade
skittered to a stop at the expression on his wife’s face.
“Snatched Potatoes,” Kings River Life, June 2014, also in
Black Cat Thrillogy #11 from Wildside:
“Be
sure you gouge out the eyes, Imogene.”
A
SHOUTOUT TO MY FELLOW SHORT STORY AGATHA NOMINEES:
Barb
Goffman, Cynthia Kuhn, Shawn Reilly Simmons, and Art Taylor
Your
turn!
You can find links to
these on my short story page, some for purchase, some to read:
