First Lines is a series of blog articles posted on around the first of the month. Inspired by a friend’s suggestion that I write a post on how to write the first line of your story, I started this series. My idea was to inspire my writing with these examples. I also hoped to inspire other writers and point readers to books they might enjoy.
As writers, we’re often told that the first line of a story must hook the reader (particularly if that reader is an editor.) Implied is that the editor will not buy the book if the first line isn’t great. But the appeal of a first line is in the eyes of the beholder. If it conveys a character or thought that intrigues the reader, that can be enough.
These first lines are for the SF & F readers who want a lighter story. A story or character that makes you smile or laugh. A story that might lift spirits that need a refresh.
I hope you enjoy these.
Abigail Dennistoun clanged down the steps. Around her, Geneva Station ground, and spat – like a pensioner built from metal and hate. She hit the next landing and spun.
“Come on!” she yelled over the shriek of tortured plating. “She’s in the reactor!”
Chad was a long way behind, treading gingerly.
“Do you know how long I’ve survived this long as a dashing astronaut brigand?” he called down.
“Luck?” she guessed, accurately.
“Charm, moxie, and knowing when to run.”
“If we run, everyone dies.”
Abigail brandished her stolen pulse rifle and bounced lightly from foot to foot. She really wished she’d had time for a wee.
Do No Harm: Terms and Conditions Apply by C. N. Mortaygo
Captains log, Intergalactic Date, 676767.67 and how cool is that?
The Union Fleet has re-deployed to Sector 7 in order to confront another incursion by the Cyber. Meanwhile, Hufleet has been left behind to patrol the other sectors and to take up the slack. Frankly, I’d rather we be there in the thick of things, but after the unfortunate incident with the Cognitive, we are not invited. I guess it was worth it; we won the battle, and seeing an emotionless species worked into a frothing frenzy is a memory I’ll treasure forever.“
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 1 by Karina Fabian
It took a lot to get Jerusalem Pix out of his parents’ condo. He knew he could fixate a little. One time, he ignored a bomb threat so he could level up in Cyber minions V: Attack of the Big-ass Drones. Still, when the girl he’s been crushing on since high school asked him to do her a favor, Jeru felt like one of those characters he loved to role-play. A knight being sent on a quest, a warrior undertaking a mission. Nobody offline had ever asked anything of him before. No one had needed him.
OFFLINING by GJ Weinstein
What ho! Look at it, Blandings, gleaming there in the planet light – the famous Girsu Express. The finest in luxury space travel. Magnificent, is it not?”
Pelham G. Totleigh stepped onto the ramp of the lavish space yacht, his gaze running up the sleek, silvery sides dotted with portholes, each one shining out warmly into the frigid night.
“We are in for a treat here, Blandings, you and I.”
Which only goes to show how wrong he could be.
“It is indeed an elegant vessel, sir,” Blandings said, following behind with the bags for both of them. He breathed heavily in the thin atmosphere of the moon. The evening was warmish by Sonus standards, which meant most species out on the windswept planet wouldn’t freeze to death for several full minutes.”
Murder on the Girsu Express
This was not the fresh start I’d had in mind.
I sat in my idling car in front of my parents house, going over my life choices.
When the – now ex – husband had told me he was moving on and that he wanted a divorce, I was pretty sure he hadn’t expected me to exclaim, “Awesome!” I’m positive he didn’t think I’d start packing right away. And when I pouted at his “concession” that I could stay in the house until it was time to sell, I definitely confused him.“
Magical Midlife Madness
Clarification
There are no affiliate links in this post. I don’t make a cent off of the books listed on this page. Usually I pull these titles at random. They are from Amazon, my personal library, my area public library, or other online booksellers.
Do You Want to Read More?
Do these first lines hook you? Do you want to read more? They are here for your enjoyment. And to entice you to buy more books.
Check out previous First Lines posts.
Don’t Miss This!
On Smashwords only, Lynette’s first two books of the Fellowship Dystopia and its companion novel are on sale for 25% off during the month of July. Read them all so you’re ready for the third book in the series, And When I Wake, this December!
