First Lines or Last Lines
A lot of readers look for that first line. I’ve never been one of them. What I look for is the hook at the end of the chapter. So I guess you could say I’m kind of a sucker for last lines.

These days everyone wants everything to run at a faster pace…their phones, computers, and yes…their books. You have to admit, Wuthering Heights is a bit slow compared to The Hunger Games ;)
My point is (and again, in my opinion…) last lines are far more important than first lines. They make a book page-turning, and that’s what readers want.
Here are some last lines from my books and from two other popular YA books:
“'You’ve been hidden long enough,’ Dr. Nickel interrupted. ‘You have to face your future eventually, and it’s time to let the prophecy unfold. We need you.’”
-Oppression, Jessica Therrien
“He looked at me, snapped his fingers, and flames shot up the trees. Everything was burning.
I woke to the feeling of fire all around me.”
-Uprising, Jessica Therrien
“At some point we folded into each other like flower petals pulling close together to endure a cold night.”
-Uprising, Jessica Therrien
“Then, with a gasp I can’t contain, I shift my hand forward, and my blood sizzles on the coals.
I am selfish. I am brave.”
-Divergent, Veronica Roth
“About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him—and I didn’t know how potent that part might be—that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”
-Twilight, Stephenie Meyer
What do you prefer? Suck-you-in first lines or page-turning last lines?
Published on May 28, 2014 08:06
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