First of all, I’m going to say something that might feel a little counter-intuitive…
Don’t start with your first line.
Beginnings are intimidating. There’s so much pressure to write the perfect first line that it can keep you from getting started. When I begin a new draft, I jump right into the scene and worry about perfecting the opening later. It takes the pressure off, and it gives me more clarity to tie into the theme or main character arc once I have the rest of the story written.
But once you have your draft completed, there are a few things you could try for your opening line…
- Open with an image
- Set the story vibes
- Incite curiosity
- Make a promise
Notice that all of these things aim to connect to one thing: your reader’s emotions. You want to establish your tone right from the start, whether by introducing a character or a setting or a mystery. Invite your reader to join you in the story, and then give them a reason to stick around (that’s the rest of your first chapter).
I discuss what to include in your first chapter in the pilot episode of my podcast—make sure to check it out!
Writing in the Cracks 