So, as I promised, I am going to be doing something different on my Writing Friday posts for a while.
Today, I wanted to briefly discuss beginnings of books. I thought it'd be fun to share the first paragraph of the book closest to you.
For starters, I will share the first paragraph of my work-in-progress, Swept to Sea.
"Lady Eden Trenton dashed into her bedchamber and slammed the oak door. The bang sent an echo through the chilled room. A loud crash sounded behind her but she ignored it. At one time she would have felt guilty if something broke as a result of her temper, but now she truly did not care. She threw herself down onto her four-poster bed and curled into a ball."
What do you like to see in a first paragraph?
Now, it's your turn. Open up the book nearest to you and tell me either the first sentence or the first paragraph. I think it's fun to share these! :)
Your's sounds exciting!
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm reading "heartless" by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (it's really good!). It starts:
"Two children, a brother and a sister played down by the Old Bridge nearly every day, weather permitting. None observing them would have guessed they were a prince and a princess. The boy, the younger of the two, was generally up to his elbows in mud due to his brave exploits as a frog catcher. His sister, though significantly more prim, was often barefoot and sported a few leaves and flowers stuck in her hair. She thought these romantic, but her nurse, when she brushed the princess's hair at night called them "common," and said it with a distinct sniff."
Thanks, Cortney. That sounds like a good book!
DeleteI like books that start off with an engaging first paragraph - something that hooks your attention and makes you start to wonder about what will happen, etc..
ReplyDeleteYours is a great first paragraph, keeps you wondering and gets your attention.
I actually just started reading "Peshawar Lancers", an alternate history book by S.M. Stirling. The first paragraph is:
'Captain Athelstane King rinsed out his mouth with a swig from the goatskin water bag slung at his saddlebow. Even in October this shadeless, low-lying part of the Northwest Frontier Province was hot; and the dust was everywhere, enough to grit between his back teeth. When he spat, the saliva was khaki-colored as khaki colored as his uniform. It made a brief dark mark on the white crushed stone of the military highway that snaked down from the Khyber Pass to Peshawar.'
Thanks, Nathan! That sounds like a good book!
Delete"Saints above, girl. What are you doing here?" the shackled man hissed. ~A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist
ReplyDeleteIt's not the most exciting first line ever but the book is so good, I can't put it down. It starts out with a kidnapping.
I like something super exciting that catches my attention or maybe makes me laugh in the first line. Submerged by Dani Pettrey had one of my favorite opening chapters ever.
Ahh, I LOVED A Bride Most Begrudging!
DeleteThanks for sharing!
Maggie Stiefvater's beginnings are always the best.
ReplyDeleteThe Scorpio Races may just have the best first line: It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.
I quite like the way she starts The Raven Boys, though: Blue Sargent could not remember how many times she had been told that she would kill her true love.
The beginning of Paranormalcy by Kiersten White is fantastic, too... although the sequel (Supernaturally) one-ups it.
Those sound good! Thanks for sharing and stopping by, Jessa!
DeleteLove the beginning of your own novel Heather, very gripping! The beginning of the book I'm currently reading, is from "Swimming Through Clouds" by Rajdeep Paulus
ReplyDeleteI live in the in between. Between what if and what is. It’s how I manage. It’s the only way
I know. Everyone has their way. This is mine.
I flip my imaginary pen shut, close my invisible journal, and tuck my thoughts away in
the only safe place I know exists. My heart.
Thanks, Arlette!
DeleteOh, that sounds like a good book!
Ooh, nice beginning! Really makes me want to find out what ticked her off so bad. hehe
ReplyDeleteIs there any place 'Swept to Sea' can be read online, or are you waiting to publish it? I'd like to find out more about Lady Eden...
I haven't been reading too many books lately as I've been steamrolling through the final editing of my own book, 'Gallant'. Here's the first few lines:
“Send archers to the outer gates, quickly!”
“The princess, where is the princess?”
“Griffin guard! Double the patrol, search the area!”
The great castle of Cabochon was not normally this alert so early in the morning. Boots scuffed and clicked hurriedly along hallways, sheaths and chain mail rattled, orders were barked out, and ‘aye, sir’ clipped back in chorus. Doors slammed, and the whoosh and whir of Griffin’s wings disturbed the air. The beauty of the morning was lost on those awake in the castle, all too intent on the problem at hand to take much notice of anything else.
http://www.wattpad.com/story/5331436-gallant
Thanks so much!
DeleteThat's a really cool beginning. Awesome! :)
Oh, and about "Swept to Sea", I am waiting for it to be published. But if you want to read the first chapter, you could shoot me an email through the "Contact Me" tab at the top of the page. Thanks for your interest!
DeleteHi, Heather! You have a lovely blog. I found it through your comment over at the Seekerville blog today.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Widow of Gettysburg, by Jocelyn Green. After eyewitness acounts concerning the approaching battle, the first lines are:
"Shhhh. Someone's coming." :)
God bless you in your writing!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Natalie.
DeleteThat's a great beginning!