What Makes a Great Opening Line? Write Yours Along With Me

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

My Editing Service: www.kierenwestwood.com/editing

[@DDubovsky]

There's so much evolution in a story from start to finish, that I no longer write my opening sentence until after I've written the last. Thanks for pointing that out. When I realized I didn't have to agonize over those first few words until I'd written the whole dang story, it made finishing easier.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

I think that's a solid approach. I think in a lot of ways we're just better equipped to introduce the story once it's written in full, you're right.

[@russellcameronthomas2116]

I treat every chapter as if it was the first, and I aim to give each a good opening line. Like you said, it doesn't have to do everything. It creates momentum for the chapter, or as you say, makes the reader want to read the next lines and paragraphs. (I'm writing historical fiction)

[@russellcameronthomas2116]

@@Derpsman2021 I'm with you 100% on that. I may not be as terse as Hemingway, but I strive to make every paragraph, sentence, and phrase count -- for the reader! -- not just for the author (me). If a sentence or paragraph doesn't add something meaningful to the story or if it is not essential, then it is "on the chopping block" unless some edit can save it.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Absolutely, aiming to start each chapter in a way you're proud of I think is a good idea. It helps you carry that quality through the whole story really.

[@S.W.Bestwriter]

Spot on. :)

[@jasonlavallee8195]

Thank you for each video you make. I just joined your discord server

[@morganbroadhead6943]

Great video. I always put too much pressure on myself with writing that first line. And I thought it to myself right before you said it; writing that first line should get ME excited to write the second line, and the third... Thanks, Kieren!

[@suvilienee]

Love your channel. Thank you Kieren!

[@johnglynhughes4239]

I love this channel. Just putting it out there. Thanks Kieren.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank so much! I appreciate you being here :)

[@ZealotPara]

I tried all of them. Dialogue ended up feeling the least appropriate for the setting. Description was pretty good although I have a hard time discerning it from Action, but my Description line I think could make for a good scene shortly after my opening. First Person was just an alternate take on my Description attempt, but not as strong. Funny enough my Mystery attempt ended up being in first person and I found it far more compelling. Action is my favorite, I used the words "screeched and cried" together to describe a pair of massive doors opening and I feel like it invokes the feeling of gates opening to a place that doesn't want to be seen. I'm gonna go with this opening line for now, your videos always make me look at writing in a whole new way, and with what I learned today I think it's going to get me far in my story. Thanks once again!

[@TedMattos]

Pennywise, Michael Myers, Jason? Hahaha! No...a blank page! That's the terror! Great video, Mr. Westwood. :)

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

(Movie Trailer voice ) Coming this Halloween - The real horror is writer's block...☺️

[@TedMattos]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting **SCREAMMMMMMM!!!!!!!*

[@hideoussails1783]

The piercing splinter of agony was as strident as the heavy wooden door laden with rusted chains as it latched atop me in that catacomb tunnel beneath the cathedral of stone.

[@ztypecraft]

I wound up with three. Going to try again, beginning with the others I didn't get to. I found this helpful. I've done a lot of chaotic drafting and feel like I just need to plant a flag and walk til the end. This video helped. Cheers!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Nice! That sounds like a good way to look at it I think.

[@margijohnson3900]

I managed three - the best in my opinion were ‘first person’ and ‘dialogue’

[@kelmohror6960]

"using both of my brain cells." 😂 "so there's no point 23:19 shooting for that [ harshly judge our every word ]; instead aim for something that works, that functions and gets you started." Immediately doable, Kieren!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

I try not to use both of them at once in case they overheat!

[@TKHaines]

That was a quick ten minutes. Got something that might work.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Excellent!

[@bv_2028]

When doing my first (unpublished) novel, it's always a certain definition of a term. Example, "vengeance", because that'd be the novel's first book name. Is that a good opening line?

[@GeoffHarrison]

Is a first line one complete sentence? Or multiple? In the case of the dialogue one I found it hard to keep it to one sentence

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

For dialogue I think it can be a little different because you’d want it to sound natural I suppose. Your opening line doesn’t have to be this set-thing in that respect, if the effect of it spread over a couple of lines I think that’d still work fine really. It’s still so early on in the story.

[@bakuuboo21]

The problem that I have whenever I try to write a story is that I'm too impatient and eager to get to the part of the story that made me want to write it in the first place. So, I always end up rushing through just to get to the part I'm excited to write. Do you have any advice about how to pace yourself? I don't know how to keep myself from just skipping to the 'good' part.

[@Moshandmade]

I would recommend you ,first jot down the good part in a note before you begin your overall writing. I think that way you make keep it in site while writing to get there

[@Hello-hello-hello456]

Unrelated, but I think you look a bit like Jude Law!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

You know, you’re not the first person to say that, I will definitely take it! 😂