Help Me Write My First Novel! 5 Different Opening Ideas

[@Fauntleroy.]

My favorite opening line ever is from Rebecca: "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again." It does a little of each. It makes you want to know who this is that longs to return to Manderley, and what Manderley is, and why they can't go there now, and why they dream about it. A beautiful line that makes you as the reader ask all the important questions at once.

[@rad4924]

"Marriage is a delusion" was my favourite of the list. If I saw that as an opener, I'd keep reading.

[@annworthington7253]

I liked “marriage is a delusion” the best. To me it creates the most intrigue and has a bit of shock value. I also liked the introduction of the protagonist checking someone’s phone every morning before he wakes up. As a reader, you can’t help but be curious and ask why?

[@joboyinboxers]

😊bést of it new author

[@briankilgore8808]

“Marriage is a delusion.” Not only is it a tagline, but it opens the door to further intrigue. “Why is the narrator jaded?” is my thought. Intriguing. Do you remember your video about bad reasons to write a book? I hope you’re not feeling pressured into writing. It’s supposed to be fun, right? If the author isn’t having a good time, then the reader will probably struggle, too. Good luck in your writing journey. It sounds like you’ll be writing a drama of some sort, which is awesome. Drama is the best. “The Godfather,” is a drama. I’m sure you’ll be going for something more lighthearted, however, lol. Might I suggest a fun book? “Can You Keep A Secret?” by Sophie Kinsella. You’ve probably already read it. All of her books are good. They always put a smile on my face.

[@gracea8366]

I love the format of this video! So compelling, and I love seeing your thought process applied to your own WIP while still getting insights into my own work. My personal choice would be #4, simply because getting a snapshot of the location plus a taste of mystery (why is the narrator counting deaths per year in fancy resorts?) immediately creates the rough outlines of the entire story. I can imagine what kinds of characters might be involved, the tone of the book, the potential conflicts..it’s great! Also gives a White Lotus feel, which I’m obsessed with. I hope to see more of these kinds of videos!

[@KarenBimer]

#4 got me. I'm already there and ready for more. I've used every one of these approaches previously, and #1 got me some flack from editors, saying no one cares about a conflict before they have invested in the characters or the situation, so I no longer use it.

[@deeplygazingable]

I like #2 and #5 equally. They could pair well together.

[@waynegrabert6839]

Whichever you go with, there is a good chance that you will rewrite your opening after you complete your first draft or your outline. That was my experience with my debut novel (still unpublished). The first gets the story moving, which is good. The second introduces intrigue, though it may make the protagonist less sympathetic as a snoop. The fifth will hook anyone going through a troubled marriage, or who is recently divorced.

[@Starcore600]

That. I've rewritten my opening line more times than I can count.

[@jeweetzelf1379]

I like number 5 best because it’s so simple and catchy. Also it’s clear right away what the book is going to be about.

[@johnbrennick8738]

and all five for somewhere in the first chapter! pasted from above: HOW TO START A NOVEL - 5 FIRST SENTENCE TACTICS: 00:54 - Establish a conflict 02:35 - Introduce the protagonist 04:10 - Set up a mystery 05:37 - Describe the setting 06:44 - Make an unexpected statement

[@altraviolet00]

Ooh that's really exciting! I hope you enjoy your novel-writing journey! The opening line I enjoyed most was #4. To me, it has a humorous bent. If your story is going to have some measure of levity, I'd go with 4 or 5. If it's going to be 100% serious, #3 has that similar foreboding set up, minus any humor at all. I like #4 the most because right away I know where we are and where we're going. Going for environment first is the approach I use, so I'm a bit biased!

[@TheEccentricRaven]

I like #5 the most. My opening strategy is to hook the reader and create sympathy for the protagonist from the beginning. "Marriage is a delusion" interests me because I wonder what the narrator experienced to feel that way. I already care a little about the character and want to keep reading. I wish you the best on your writing journey!

[@takishajacobs169]

The 4th and 5th opening lines are my favorite for a thriller. The observation in #4 piques my curiosity and offers a sense of casual foreboding that makes me want more.

[@The-Secret-Door]

Congratulations! I like the sentence about checking the unread texts. There's so much packed into that - some hint of trouble in the marriage, the character of the narrator, and possibly a theme of a mystery and detective work lying ahead. More than the other openers, this one really raises questions for me and makes me want to know more.

[@Xaglacionn]

My advice Alyssa, check out Alan Watt's 90-day novel and the sequel the 90-day rewrite. Having read a dozen books on approaching novel writing, those were the only ones with practical and precisely relevant advice every step of the way. Regarding opening lines, one thing I learned in those books is that the first line is often the very last one to be rewritten, in light of the entire process. In short, don't feel like you need to capture it perfectly on your first draft. Get the ball rolling and hold every word loosely! Good luck. Thanks for sharing your thinking process!

[@j.gillette5411]

Line 5 flows really well into Line 2: "Marriage is a delusion. Every morning before Matt wakes up, I check his phone to see how many unread texts he has." These two lines work together to paint the protagonist and her views all the more vividly.

[@michaeltoss8204]

Good luck on your writing journey! My opening line does a few of these all at once. Here's mine. The ghost from David Quinn’s past appeared on the television screen in front of him.

[@soccerguy325]

Hot take - I think #2 might be the best; it contains so many techniques all in one. Not only does it introduce the protagonist, but it may even do a better job of establishing a conflict (no healthy relationship involves one person spying on their partner's phone), and a bit of a mystery (what are they finding in these texts?) We KNOW they will find something unexpected and compelling, perhaps even as an inciting incident. This line arguably already helps to establish a plot and drive it forward. And I am very interested to read on. That being said, "Marriage is a delusion" is also very good and intriguing - IF you can keep it up (i.e. go on to properly explain how). Tall order. But I have high hopes for you Alyssa!

[@brandonhughes179]

#5 hits the hardest, I think. Whatever opening you pick, GO FOR IT!!! Write your book, Alyssa. You kinda have to. Do it!!!

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

I like #5, followed by #2. I am very excited to see you write a novel and apply everything you learned. Just remember to have fun and be careful not to overthink it.

[@michaelparnell4944]

I like the resort sentence. You mentioned that it's the resort "we're in," so I assume the character will be there when she thinks/narrates this sentence, so consider opening with "Our resort" or "My resort" instead of "The resort." Then again, I'm often accused of overthinking . . . 😏 I think you should pick one of your ideas and run with it. You have insider knowledge and experience, but . . . as with many things, writing is easy to talk about, but hard to do, and if you do it, it will round out what I view as your strong coaching assets: knowledge, presentation, personality, humility, and sincerity. Writing a novel can only enhance your credibility. Good luck! 😀

[@sebastianashbury2478]

I vote #4 and #5; especially #5. Just grabs me, and feels so relatable to a lot of people. #4 casts a nice mystery - especially if paired with #5 in some way to indicate there's a romantic conflict and a possible murder mystery.

[@giovannijacobs4496]

YAY! I'm super sure you can do this. We're all rooting for you.

[@danielestaub9445]

Great idea! Audience participation. Looking forward to following this novel-in-progress. 👍

[@tiffy_loves]

#1 is definitely my favorite. #2 is my second favorite!

[@NicoleOnYTube]

Firstly, WELCOME to your novel writing journey!!! Super excited to see you getting out there and working towards something outside your comfort zone! Secondly, I really like the second option with the 'unread texts' I like that it gives us information into the main character's life but also leaves us with questions and leads us to want to know more. I think it does a good job of setting up the relationship between MC and Matt, and we can also infer that they are in some form of committed relationship since it seems like a routine of the MC when you say 'every morning' but also gives us the sense that the MC is wary of something that Matt is doing. You said that it was a mystery book, and I also think this first sentence sets the tone for a mystery-themed book as it posses questions to the reader and gives us a mysterious vibe. Hope this helps, and can't wait for more updates about this journey! I'd love for more videos like this!!!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Thank you so much for the encouragement and for the thoughtful feedback!

[@Awesome_Force]

I think the second and last options are both good opening lines. I usually like to begin with dialogue that reveals something about my protagonist or with an action scene. For the book I am working on now that I hope will be my debut book I begin with dialogue that reveals that my protagonist is into kickboxing/martial arts. I just hope I don't get distracted by other things and actually finish this one before I lose motivation and forget some of the story I intend to write. In the past I did a full chapter by chapter outline for stories I wanted to write, but since I already knew what would happen I tended to get bored and not finish. This time I only planned two main characters, the beginning of the story, setting, and a few events. It isn't totally being a pantser or a planner, so I guess it is more of a plantser this time? IDK. I just want to try to enjoy the process and stay enthusiastic this time to see if I can actually finish for once.

[@nicholasbrady3185]

Hi Alyssa!! So glad to hear about you starting your novel! I loved the last opening line you used, "Marriage is a delusion". The opening strategy I'm using for my contemporary YA thriller novel is setting up a mystery. The opening line is "It wasn't at all like him to spend so much time plotting a murder".

[@hmm6411]

I vote for #2. It gives the reader from the outset an insight into both characters that depending on the reasons will reveal the priorities of the characters as well as the reader. Happy writing!

[@RoxanaLine]

Congratulations, Alyssa!! This is very exciting news, and I wish you best of luck with your novel ❤ As for the opening lines, I think I prefer the first and the fifth ones.

[@Jus-X]

I really like " The resort boasts the most gourmet on-Mountain cuisine in the alps and the fewest deaths per year." I'm a fan of mystery, and to start a story off like that gives it that punchy hook, IMO. Also, welcome to the journey, and best of luck!!!

[@arnoldfossman1701]

The deaths comment could be that the resort has a better safety record than other resorts. In the mountains there is a risk that a person could fall, or be covered with snow in an avalanche.

[@krisnelson2653]

My advice is follow your heart and write what excites you personally. You already have the technical knowledge

[@kutluer]

The 5th presents many possible pathways to dive into.

[@j.a.m6356]

This is so exciting. I love how you continue to challenge yourself, while at the same time giving us a window into the writing process and all its evolutions.

[@kenneth1767]

I found the real opening reveals itself in getting the end of the story. But we need to start somewhere. Writing into the dark is the thrill.

[@rosemartillano7176]

That was fun, thanks for sharing your process. I like #2 and #4

[@InvestigatingDavidCrowley]

"Marriage is a delusion" is the one that grabbed me right away. The runner-up is, "Matt is on hold with Delta to push out our flight home by two days, and all I can think about is the dog."

[@rebeccadear9190]

Thank you so much this was very helpful!

[@natalieg8457]

#4 is the most intriguing, and, if you're writing a murder mystery, also the most genre-fitting.

[@brindlebucker4741]

The one about checking the texts. And the thing is, you could go on from that point to use one of the other sentences. For example, the one about the resort boasting the fewest deaths could follow up in a paragraph or two. She's checking his texts at the resort, and you still introduce your intrigue about why there would be deaths at a resort as well.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Great thoughts!

[@ZeljanaMiljevic]

Yes write the book!!!!! So excited for you!!

[@zivmontenegro8303]

I used the metaphor of the forest having claws----inspired by you! If you're going to publish your books, I'd be the first to buy!!! Thank you for every help you've taught me since you started during the pandemic; the same era I started writing my stories! Keep up the good work!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Thank you so much for the kind words of encouragement! I’m so happy to hear my content has been helpful to you. Wishing you all the best with your writing endeavors!

[@micapetru8858]

I'd go with number #4, it has a certain mysterious and menacing flair to it (a place with the best food and with the least death, making perhaps a link between eating and dying). I don't know if this helps, but here is the opening line from my WIP horror novel: A profuse crimson sky surrounded the crummy dingy. Also good luck with the writing and welcome to the creative camp.

[@brandonhughes179]

My favorite opening line ever is from Steven King's first Dark Tower book: "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." It's simple, but it lets you know already that stuff's going down; it's evocative and draws you in. Love it

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Sometimes simple is the most effective! Thank you for sharing 😊

[@lionfist2558]

“Marriage is a delusion” is a great hook. Follow it with some version of opening line 2, and you’ll further reveal your protagonist’s character. Also, I notice that opening lines 1 and 2 reveal that your story is in first person. Generally, if you can establish POV early, the sooner the ball begins rolling. My advice would be to incorporate your unexpected statement with your character’s thoughts or actions (using setting as it pertains to tone and conflict) and POOF… You create a gripping first page or paragraph. Otherwise, let the story unfold naturally. Don't worry too much about the start, as the finish mainly determines whether or not your book is good overall. 9/10 times, you’ll end up changing the beginning anyway. When you have that tingling itch, the need to get that story off your chest, you have to let it all out. Put out the flame by writing that first draft! Remember, it’s your first novel. So have FUN and write!

[@KristaHarrisSB]

I like #1, but it really depends on the story. I also like #5, but it feels like that takes off in a very different direction. This was a really interesting video. Please do more of these types of things!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

So glad you enjoyed it - thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@useeee616]

I love your advice anyway. Maybe I’ll hire you one day. I really like tour feedback and perspectives.

[@webbsamples]

I like #4 the best.

[@andi-roo-pookins]

You've probably already chosen which way to go (or changed up your opening altogether!) but fwiw I liked a combo of the 2nd and 3rd lines. My dark fantasy opening line: It called itself Watcher. My memoir opening line: Mom swears she carried me eleven months; I spent half of my life in disbelief (as that would make me two months old at birth), but when I did the math I found it tracks.

[@makennazornes]

Number two is my favorite!

[@Weicho1]

I think 2 is your strongest. Welcome to the beginning of your journey! I wish you great success! The 15th of this month marks one year working on my first novel. 143,000 words, and I've finished the first draft, now on my first rounds of edits. The first line: To my father's land or to my mother's, east or west? Can't wait to hear about your progress!

[@fräuleinniemand1871]

#5 is the best its catchy. I kinda did the same in my novel. Its a post WW1 story and it starts with my chacacter (a German soilder) in the trenches on the day of armistice but he does not know this yet, because he just woke up to something very uncommon. My first line is "suddenly its silent". Then he thinks about why the silence is there and that the bombardement will continue in a few minutes, because this often was the case. But he realises, that it was never this silent through the whole war. He gets nervous and goes out to see what happens and a comrade tells him, that the war is over

[@robertlamont4749]

It is your story. Fear not. We will love it. Write on!

[@crystalrosenberger4221]

#2 peaks my interest the most. It makes me curious about your main character, Matt, and what is happening with their relationship. Happy Writing!

[@TysonVaughan]

Those are all pretty good, and obviously which is best will depend on the following lines and pages. My favorite was no. 4. It does the most work: it sets the scene as well as the mood, and it’s a microcosm of a story with a twist at the end. That twist grabbed my attention the most of all the examples. But, I could also see “marriage is a delusion” working really well if that is going to be a theme explored (and maybe interrogated) throughout the novel. So, I think the best opening line will really depend on the shape of the rest of the story.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

These are great points. Thank you so much for the thoughtful feedback!

[@MoniqueNelson]

I'm torn between 1 and 2 - both give me so much intrigue about the protagonist - thinking about the dog is so relatable but checking on texts is sneaky, sneaky and I want to know more about this sneaky sneaky person!

[@TheDumbmanrulestheWorld]

One good advice I've heard is don't worry about the first lines in the first draft. Yes establish conflict but how you write the opening will more than likely change during the 1st draft, or in the second draft.

[@kofimclaughlin]

Go Alyssa 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@allie_fallie]

"Dash. Dash. Dash. They say you shouldn’t watch the lines on the road ahead of you." (That's my opening line, for now at least) I really like #5 for yours, the unexpected statement.

[@pedropinto7133]

I'm on the second rough draft of my first novel. Best wishes!

[@littlesongbird7904]

I really like the third and fourth one! Second one is really interesting too. Overall, the novel sounds for now great! I wish you a lot of inspiration and fun while writing!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Thank you so much!

[@nealabbott6520]

of all the truly great novels with wonderful first lines, and you went with these

[@BrandonRossi-z7f]

Opening lines depend on the genre. I prefer fantasy (example: Warbreaker) and historical fiction (example: Shōgun). My first novel, which is currently in the editing phase but will soon be ready for querying, starts with a setting description: The sun rose over the blackened sky of Norsla. It is a fantasy, and I think starting with a setting description is great for that specific genre. Additionally, action occurs immediately, and the first chapter has some of the most action in all of the novel (there is a lot). I am by no means a professional (am hoping I can get this book published, but it was very rough and is fortunately getting better), but I know what I like reading, and I write that. Returning to my initial point, I think you should immediately decide on your genre and, if necessary, sub genre. With my novel, I know it is a fantasy (with a plot similar to those of works like Lord of the Rings), and has intense, violent action. I need to make sure the first chapter emphasizes those aspects of it. It is also incredibly dark and brutal, pushing the violence boundaries in some cases. This should be evident so the reader doesn’t put the book down halfway through due to the content. It is always important people know what they are getting themselves into. My editor has done a lot of work for me (without her, this process would be impossible), yet she even disliked a few of the scenes (specifically one where a child is killed). Anyway, I wish you the best of luck with your novel, and hope to see it on the shelves in a bookstore one day. I have this odd habit of creating a novel’s title before writing it, and it usually works out. I don’t know if that may be something that would work for you, but I would suggest trying it out. There is a benefit to doing that, since you can then write the story to make the title fit as opposed to making a title to fit the story.

[@Tygertyger8008]

The resort in the Alps is easily the strongest opening of this lot -- that mood whiplash is a strong draw. One of the opening lines I'm most proud of introduced the protagonist in an interesting way: "Today I am a dinosaur."

[@stevensandersauthor]

They’re all pretty good. Just depends what kind of novel you’re writing. Numbers one, two, and five sound like domestic suspense. Number four sounds like an elegant murder mystery. The champagne bottle could be anything. My favorite is number four. Keep writing!

[@KamranShikh-sp2iv]

really liked this video

[@authorsmjohnson]

#4 pulls me in. In my own WIP I use #1

[@michaelgarcia2973]

I like #5 for the opening sentences.

[@EddieCaplan]

Without knowing what the rest of your novel will be, it's hard to pick which opening line is best for you. But given that restriction, #2 worked best for me. I'm immediately thrown into the protagonist's personality and psychology. I'm interested in what she's going to do to propel the novel.

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

I'm looking forward to anything you write Alyssa. The opening to Casino Royale draws you in well. 'The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. Then the soul-erosion produced by high gambling - a compost of greed and fear and nervous tension - becomes unbearable and the senses awake and revolt from it.'

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Thank you so much! And what a compelling opening - thank you for sharing!

[@taurusstarchild5109]

Hey,😎 Loved the ideas for novels! I like novels where they use a lot of visual references and cues first thing so I would be absorbed by a novel that started out as first person with setting and thoughts of the main character. That being said, I think the one where the protagonist is thinking and going about routines in daily life would be a good one for setting in the story which leads itself to more visual and actions later in story....😊 I have written some sci Fi books and am in the process of getting them on Kindle

[@a.studios9930]

#1, #2, and #3 are the best. I like #3 the most because you can tell it's the smallest taste to a bigger mystery thriller.

[@susancarpenter1692]

I preferred number 3: it is short and snappy. A great platform from which to dive into a story. My first line is currently "I blame the vulture for making me stop that particular Saturday morning."

[@AlyssaMatesic]

What a compelling first line! Thank you so much for sharing 😊

[@jasonmd1420]

What I think is most interesting is how different lines feel like different novels. If I hd to ranked I'd go as follows (please keep in mind I am just another failed writer so maybe I don't know best). 5 - Our complimentary bottle of champagne is gone - I'd say the problem here is with 'gone' being vague. IF I see it as gone = 'it has been finished' then I'm not that curious. Maybe 'never arrived' is better than gone. 4 - 'Matt is on hold with Delta...' - maybe a small thing but I couldn't tell if pushing the flight 2 days forward or back. But I am not a native speaker and learned British English so maybe that's why. This line is solid. 3 - 'Marriage is a delusion'. - I'd say a very good line but doesn't fit my personal tastes (the other comments here like it best so what do I know!). The only risk with this sort of line it sometimes they can feel like they are trying too hard to stand out. 2 - 'Every morning before Matt woke up..' - Into the narrative in an instant, makes me ask questions. I think it's a great line for a Romance novel or a novel about relationships - but you did say it is suspense which is why I put it at number 2 1- 'The resort boasts...' - I thought this was exceptional. You started the sentence and I fully thought I knew what was you were going to say and the BAM! I love this line and think it fits thriller/suspense really well. It is less about the marriage, but I guess you need to decide what your novel is going to be about. Anyway, that is to be decided after the first draft is over! Well done on sharing these firsts attempts - I am never brave enough to do that and need to rewrite six or seven times before anyone sees what I write. A personal favourite first line of mine is from This Side of Paradise by Fitzgerald: 'Amery Blaine had inherited from his mother every single character trait, except the scarce few that made him worthwhile.' I feel I basically know everything about these two characters already and I want to read the novel just to have my impressions confirmed!

[@VampiriaOddiss]

I was instantly intrigued by the fourth one! So clever and I just want to dive right in to know more

[@thatmoonshalo]

So i will say that i like all of these openings. They all make me want to know how it will be resolved. I feel both #1 and #2 are to my taste because i like getting an understanding of my characters. But the question is, will your story focus on going indept into who the MCs are and how they overcome the events. Or will the story focus more on events and them witnessing it together. If the story is character development driven, i say #2. If it is more narrative driven, #4 or #1.

[@rainygreymornings]

#4, hands down. “The fewest deaths” would keep me reading. 👍

[@CountryBwoy]

Pretty cool video! You just randomly popped up in my recs. I often think of/about opening lines. This is more food for thought. I've got a few openings that have rattled around in my head for a few years, now. I tend to like setting up the scene/location/ or world. (I'm not actively writing per sé but I do think about it all the time. LOL)

[@larssjostrom6565]

The second opening gives insights into the main character's flaws which makes her more interesting, and interesting character's are the first thing that we want to read. The fourth is good at establishing suspense, but I would use it for a third-person story. I try to establish something about the main character when I begin a story.

[@familycorvette]

The fifth strategy, an unexpected statement, is always the strongest. I think "the provocative statement" is more accurate, because such openings lay at the feet of the reader a provocation, daring the reader to react. Two of the greatest opening lines in all literature employ this stratagem. Leo Tolstoy in Anna Karenina - "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." L.P. Hartley in The Go-Between - "The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there." The latter is probably my personal favorite among memorable opening lines.

[@andrewfallman7542]

I think these are all effective openings. The real determining factor would be what you want the opening scene to be. Many of these lines sound like they're from different times of day, so whichever sets up your most intriguing or conflict driven scene should probably be the deciding factor.

[@arnoldfossman1701]

#1 sounds to me like it could be that Matt is as interested in the dog as your POV character. Matt being on hold with an airline could be him doing all he can to get them home to take care of whatever is going on with the dog. This actually gives you two ways to go with your story, it could be conflict between Matt and the POV character, or it could be each of these characters doing what they personally can do in a form of harmony. I'm surprised that you didn't offer a method that Keith Laumer often used in his Retief of the CDT series. He would take a short passage from a fictional encyclopedia that he uses to set the scene for the story. This is a method that I'm trying to use for the story that I'm stalled on in my writing. BTW, I'm a panser mainly because I don't feel like I can make an outline for my story.

[@walteroakley9115]

Depends on the type of story that you are looking to tell. I would lean either towards #4 or #5. However, in my first novel (currently with an editor) I used the "introduce the protagonist" strategy. For the sequel (which is with beta-readers now), I started straight up with a fight... the protagonist is fighting A DRAGON tee hee. Honestly, I would suggest just sitting there with pen to paper or fingers to keyboard... and see what first like comes out, then move on to the next line and the next. If you over-think... you can end up becoming your own worst enemy. I wish you nothing but success with your first novel :)

[@carriemason3728]

For me, it's #4. This is intriguing. You can literally go anywhere with this one. Tag on #1 or #2 as well. That first line, though, as #4, would get me very curious as to where this would be going.

[@Duduca17]

#4 is my favorite hands down

[@gib6099]

They all have. merit, but I think they all need tweaking to make them zing. My favorite of these five was the text messages. I like the Blockbuster Code’s research showing a lot of best-sellers have opening lines that have conflict and a relationship. Each opener you posted could be tweaked in those respects. for example, “Two hours after checking his unread text messages like I always do, I woke Matt to explain why Sheila was still in his contacts.” Or “If marriage is a delusion, mine ended when Matt called Delta to change our flight instead of the vet after the mailman incident.” All your opening lines were intriguing and I’m curious what genre it will fall into. If you’ve finished a draft, rewriting the first lines will be easier!

[@jessicakasimir5712]

This was extremely interesting, thank you! I find your opening lines #2 and #4 most compelling, because, in case of #2, my first thought actually wasn't that she is overbearing (which would be kid of cliché) but that she maybe feels that she is in some kind of danger, and because, in case of #4, I get the association of a closed-room suspense novel at once. The latter combines two positive statements with the second one being quite absurd which makes me curious why it is mentioned at all. I didn't like #5 because it is so general and, to be honest, quite bland, but I see that a lot of other commenters went for that one. What I get from that is that you must take the whole story into account to decide on your first line as it introduces the tone, too, right? Thanks, again!

[@walterrlong]

4 (sets up murder mystery), 5 (though makes me feel I'm about to read a bunch of griping), 2 (though "While Matt sleeps, I always check his unread texts" might be snappier), 1 (will grab dog lovers), then 3 (the champaign is gone because it's in our bellies)

[@fpassow1]

3 works for me. It's going somewhere. I like 4 because I like that kind of humor. 1 was kind of a slog to get through. 2 is very interesting. But maybe "to count the unread texts". 5 feels like the start of a classic novel but sets high expectations for the next few lines.

[@black_poppy]

I was struggling with y first draft a lot, but then I stumbled upon Regnum Umbrae music and it changed the situation completely. The dam was broken, and my the draft was done in a few days. And I vote for the line with a dog.

[@mariacombe]

I like them all EXCEPT #5. It makes me weary before I even start reading. I like number one because it makes me like the protagonist and wonder why the dog is an issue and why they are (or he is?) trying to leave ahead of schedule. Number two hints at the relationship conflict without the nihilism. There's plenty of time to show the marriage unraveling if that's what you want. Number three makes you wonder who's been in their room and whether there is something sinister about that (I mean, maybe the maid took it while they were out?), but I might choose a different object, like, say, the protagonist's planner or diary or even a ring, something that might turn up later or not, such that you could thread it through the story and it could take on more significance later. Number four has a slightly humorous tone, but it could also mean the couple has been through some nightmarish events in their life and are paying closer attention to statistics like that. Either way, it smells like foreshadowing.

[@tinahoffman6073]

"Marriage is a delusion" reminds me of a line from Liane Moriarty's "The Husband's Secret." "Marriage is a form of insanity; love hovering permanently on the edge of aggravation." I love that line.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Oh, I love that too - thank you so much for sharing!

[@JohnDickerman]

Each of these has possibilities, but they set very different moods. I would try drafting an opening page (or better yet, chapter) from each one to see which leads to where you want to go.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Great idea - thank you!

[@The-Secret-Door]

After opener #2, runner up would be #4 about the resort and the fewest deaths. Intriguing!

[@robertturley3373]

#4 Sounds like an intriguing place to read about.

[@francineh.7825]

I like the 5th strategy the best but the 4th was right behind. So either one of those I thought was a strong opening line. The 5th one did make me feel more of the main character's personality though as it was a strong statement.

[@vixiannaatheria2555]

I think #4 is the most interesting for its sense of humor, but I think all of them can be pushed harder. I tend to employ strategy #1 and #4 the most in my own work. "The air basked in light and bird song, the world made anew in the heavy lidded eyes of the fading night." "When Dietrich Benson’s corpse washes up Tuesday morning, I curse the currents for carrying him to my doorstep." "The gun at the back of his head pressed deeper into the base of his skull, “I’m moving.” "

[@arzumardalieva3874]

The 5th! Good luck 🍀

[@wespenre3418]

Thanks for having the courage to share! I like #5 the best. It makes me wonder how the protagonist will justify the statement, "Marriage is a delusion." It feeds my curiosity.

[@darkstar5733]

Number 5 is the best in my opinion. I also like number 3.