First line tips?

>>8583117
open with a mention of the time of day, using two adjective in a row. in past tense.

Don't try, just do what comes natural.


Most novels DON'T have perfect first lines.

Finish the story first. Start without an opening line and maybe it will come to you.

>>8583147
What if you wanted to write a story in present tense?

>>8583166
Open with a flashback to said dark, stormy night.

>"It was a windy spring day..."
>"It was a hot summer day..."
>"It was a rainy fall day..."
>"It was a cold winter day..."
Please mention me, when you receive the Pulitzer Prize

protagonist's full name first words of the novel, followed by what he is doing as the rest of the sentence

>>8583182
Beardso Beadsley wiped the dry and crusty towel across his belly, soaking up the spewdum, as the thought occurred to him: this must have been at least the thousandth time he pounded off to nightshift nurses (1989).

>>8583172
Il admit on my deathbed all my works were ghost written by you

>>8583235
Holy...

Etc.

File: 43534534.png (414KB, 500x750px) Image search: [Google]

414KB, 500x750px

>>8583117
Write the first line, then write the whole story, then delete the first half of your first paragraph.

It doesn't always work for me, but generally the first few lines are when I'm at my most try-hard. Once I cut them, I'm left with an opening that makes sense and gets the job done.

>>8583405

Thank you. Was semi-autobiographical too.