The first few lines...

[kanshu]

The first few lines are very important when it comes to catching the reader's attention. Often, a reader decides after the first two paragraph, or even sooner, whether he will continue reading a story, or not.

So, how do you cover this critical part of your story?

Is there any secret mix that keeps your readers glued?

What are 'nonos' that a writer can commit in the first few paragraphs?

[treneka]

Oddly enough, I've never thought about this in quite this way. I suppose it is because for me, I can never write a story until those first few lines are delivered on the plotbunny's whiskers as it were. Until I am inspired with an opening statement, my stories remain unwritten. However, now that I think about it, there are a few tendencies in my work. So my thoughts/observations/advice regarding opening lines/paragraphs.

1. Don't give it all away. Unlike a scientific abstract, the purpose of an opening paragraph in fiction is not to lay out the entire rest of the story. It is more of an invitation to the work: gives you the time, place, list of invitees and dress code perhaps, but stops before giving away the dessert course. If the invite is pretty enough, the reader will rsvp and you're golden.

2. ABSOLUTELY NO GRAMMATICAL ERRORS! My German Lit professor said it best when he stated that he doesn't have time to waste on someone who won't take the time to communicate properly (two errors in any paper was automatic failure). I think this is even more true with regards to fiction. Too many of us are writers (and aware of proper grammar) to take it lightly. If the author is careless at the outset, the assumption is that she will continue to be so, and while at later points one might be too wrapped up in the tale to notice, in those first words, the grammar must not present any hindrance to the reader's enjoyment.

3. Be original. If I start out with "It was a dark and stormy night," or "Once upon a time," I'd better be writing comedic parody (and following those words up with something damn funny). Mind you, starting with a quote or thought from another work is not a bad idea - but use of said quote/thought should put the reader in a new frame of mind (and for the love of heaven, if one must borrow, borrow from the best - there's a lot of great literature out there, so no need to restrict onesself to the lyrics of one's favourite rock band).

4. Other than that, I think the first lines should be ones that inspire the author herself to continue. After all, if I don't feel enthralled by the opening lines, I doubt anyone else will.

*eek! And now I've definitely said too much. This board is dangerous*

[KarotsaMused]

Hee, treneka wins.

But I agree - I never really thought of the openers like I would an analytical essay, but I suppose I've been conditioned enough to at least write a topic sentence as a knee-jerk.

[kanshu]

That sounds good... but with different genres, are there different openings? Or can you use the same kind of opening for all kinds of genres?

What about the openings themselves? What types of openings are there? And how long should an opening be to keep the reader interested?

Also, are there any other cardinal sins outside of grammar/typos and 'give it all away in the first sentence'?