World, Writing, Wealth discussion
Storytelling and Writing Craft
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The First Sentence
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message 51:
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Barbara
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Aug 05, 2021 09:55AM
Maybe the first sentence doesn't matter, but at an agent's panel once at a book conference, the agents said that the first paragraph and the first couple pages do matter - even if the submission guidelines asked for the first three chapters, if they weren't grabbed by the first three pages along with a stellar query letter, they put it aside. Also said that the first one to read a submission (unless it was one of their big clients) was probably a junior agent or even an intern.
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I suspect the first sentence thing matters more to authors than most readers. I know I always want a cracker, but they probably become more meaningful/memorable when looking back across the entirety of the novel. Who would give a rat's about the clocks striking thirteen until they'd picked up a bit more info about the world they'd landed in?In most cases I'd barely notice the first sentence but I do want to be grabbed within 10 pp.
For novels or books, probably does not matter. However, for short stories, I bet it matters.
Papaphilly wrote: "For novels or books, probably does not matter. However, for short stories, I bet it matters."Yep, they say the secret to writing a short story is to start as close to the conclusion as possible. So you'd want to be landed in the action and wanting answers straight away.
I've never read that, but it makes sense.
Ian wrote: "I would think it depends on the type of story..."Depends on the reader. I skim and stop reading lots of things. All ya all saying 'more' (with the inevitable following adverb.....) instead of 'er' gets a 'survey says!....XXX' ...though in this case I read a li-ttle further (versus farther - distance...unless one considers it distance on the page!). For example, take Susan's first sentence in her first reply:
Susan Joyce | 27 comments
Every story takes on a life of its own and reveals itself more and more fully as the writing of it progresses." //
I would omit that bit, and start with the pertinent and re-written: ''The first sentence makes the impression.''
PS: I don't know from where that 27 comments bit in c/p-ing came. But it figures - as I fnord through Life.
Hi CC, glad to see you contributing to multiple discussions. Not a must of any kind, however we have an intro thread in case you'd want to share a few words about yourself. We won't cross - reference them with NSI (however they might do it on their own) :)
Scout wrote: "What is "fnord"?"It comes from THE ILLUMINATUS!
I think it equals an anagram of drone. My encounter with '27' runs evenly through my experience. Notice also 73 ends the number of this topic address, 73 equalling the last step in the Illuminati pyramid. ZOINKS!
A warm trickle of blood runs down the side of my chin and towards my neck. Son Of Vlad. A gritty Gothic romance novel, just released on KU.
https://linktr.ee/C.L.Kowalchuk
There's a place in this group for promoting your work. This isn't it.
