Creepin’ it real, this month’s edition of First Lines features the first lines from science fiction and fantasy stories that are aligned with the traditional spooks, monsters, aliens, and horror associated with Halloween today.
First Lines is a series of blog articles posted around the first of the month. Those of you who are writers, “know” 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 editor is a single person with an opinion, often based on significant experience in selecting books. Still, it’s one opinion. The opinion that counts is that of the reader.
I hope the lines will inspire writers and point readers to books they might enjoy. Try them. Maybe one of these will hook you. No guarantees. After all, the hookiness of the first lines is in the eye of the beholder.
Aliens
Liv heard the town Hall bell gong seven times. Everyone knew it was ten minutes slow, which meant twenty minutes until school started. Plenty of time. She stepped off Hamilton Avenue, out of the shadow of the old JC Penney building and into the sun splash of Washington Street she was joined by ten or fifteen other morning plodders, students bearing packs of schoolwork and adult feeding meters before keying open Ditman’s Pharmacy, Bob’s shoe barn, or First American Bank.
A flag pole stood at the north east corner of the Square. By habit, Liv knocked on it as she passed. She heard the flag snap like wet laundry, but for once did not look up at it, for she was a freshman and had been walking this route for weeks now, and sensed right off something awry at the southern edge of the town square.
Bent Heavens, Daniel Kraus
Gothic Horror
Mara’s house was silent. Not peaceful or serene, just silent in that careful way of places where nothing risks breaking. In her small, book lined library, everything had its place, catalogued within the private system of her life. Some things she touched daily, others never, but all of them watched from the shelves and corners.
The Memory Keeper: The Oblivion Cycle Book 1, Rowan Taylor
Monsters
“They’ll be here any minute.”
Mr. Gray looked at his wife, Mildred. Her words sent a shutter reverberating down his spine. He had prepared for this since the day his daughter was born; he knew what was to come. Every parent who had been told what they were knew what was to come. Some would say it was a miracle she hadn’t killed them.
Monsters of the Dark, Mirrors in the Dark Book 1, KT Belt
There are monsters. Lenora Morwin, elegant and statuesque, let the sway of the train rocker gently as she studied the open diary in her lap. In delicate, slanted script where the words: “Dorian Crowe, just turned 18 – today. Parents: Philip and Marla. Sunlight allergy.”
A spider crept across her shoulder. Lenora’s lips curved into a knowing smile.
“Poor dears,” she murmured the tiny companion. “They haven’t the faintest idea.”
The Halloween Academy, Thomas Peterson
Alien Romance
The Mira’s Claim gave one last protesting groan as Rory Hollis killed the thrusters and let the docking clamps bite down on her hull.
Rig-17 was the same greasy shithole. It had always been: flickering overheads, the stink of recycled air, and spilled coolant, and the low thrum of a station that had given up on dignity years ago.
Contracted by the Alien Prince, Tammy Walsh
Metaphysical
Shit happens!
I mean, shit happens all the time.
Or more accurately, shit, happens all the time, around me.
After sixty five years, you think you’d get used to it, but, no. There’s nothing consistent about it, no patterns, no sense to be made, no spiritual lessons unlearned.
Just random shit, randomly happening, in random ways. The only thing not random is the fact that it keeps happening. Around me.
Imagedit, Book 1 of 15: Imagedit, Timothy Ellis
Bonus
For fun, I wrote up a short piece about the origins of Halloween celebrations. If you’re interested, read my recap of the history of Halloween and it’s monsters, angels, and other traditions.
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.
Reviews Don’t Have to be Difficult
No matter what book you’re reading, leave a a few words on the website where you bought it, a readers site, or the author’s site. You don’t have to say anything profound or fancy. Say the kind of thing you would tell a friend about it. Reviews are always appreciated by writer and readers alike. They help sell more books to the readers who will love them. And they help the author write more books.
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. Let me know which ones sparked your interest.
Like this post? Check out previous First Lines posts.
