By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
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Reading is magic!
I’m an avid reader, but I’m also picky. Confession time here . . . If a story doesn’t grab me in the first line, I’m reluctant to read further. Out of respect for the writer, I might continue for a paragraph. Normally, I’m done and ready to move on to the next book.
Over the years, certain books have called out to me, those whose first lines drew me into a story world where time and place captivated my spirit. The following are what came to mind as I wrote this blog. No particular order, just fond memories.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.
This first sentence breaks every rule I ever learned about writing. It’s the richness, the contrasts, the fate of mankind that draws me into Dickens’ story.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo.
Oh, the many times I’ve read this story. I’ll laugh and cry with the antics of four sisters who possessed little but understood the area during the hard times of the Civil War.
The First Hostage by Joel Rosenberg
“The President of the United States . . . is missing.”
Joel Rosenberg has never disappointed me in creating a first line that immediately drew me into his stories. No matter what I’m doing, when his latest book is released, I’m into the world he’s expertly created for me.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco
Here was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid.
How very satisfying to consider myself so very loved that I’m ragged (wrinkled) and old – but so very loved.
Memory Man by David Baldacci
Amos Decker would forever remember all three of their violent deaths in the most paralyzing shade of blue.
Baldacci thrills me with his suspense novels. The depth of character and the rise of plot from deep-rooted needs and flaws always provide a dynamic read.
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
The stranger didn’t shatter Adam’s world all at once.
Cohen knows how to masterfully begin and carry through a suspenseful story. One of my favorite writers.
The Book of Spies by Gayle Lynds
A library could be a dangerous place.
The moment I read this first line, I was captivated by the story. The twists and turns were so unpredictable.
What first lines of books stand out in your mind?
Tweet this: First Lines of Stories that Inspire
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable 
characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association; International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is co-director of The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.jhcdev.com/diannmills.
Comments 7
I’m late to the party but still wanted to respond. I am an elementary school librarian. When I taught, I would have my students do a scavenger hunt by assigning them one shelf in the library to read the first line or paragraph from each book to find good “hooks” or leads. It really was eye-opening how many books, that are good books, don’t have catchy opening lines.
Since I work with children’s books, I am going to pick one of them: “My name is India Opal Buloni, and last summer my daddy, the preacher, sent me to the store for a box of macaroni-and-cheese, some white rice, and two tomatoes and I came back with a dog.” ~Because of Winn-Dixie
I used to be an avid reader who couldn’t put a book down no matter how bad it was. One of my professor’s in a college library lit class said we would learn to read the beginning & ending of the book because there are too many. I can’t see myself EVER doing that! However, I have gotten to where I put a book down that doesn’t peak my interest but I try to give it a few chapters. So many books, so little time!
The screams wouldn’t stop. They were ear piercing, pathetic cries for help. Pleading. Begging.
and so begins the book by Randy Singer. “Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales”.
I agree with you DiAnn. If a book doesn’t grab me in the beginning, I’m not going to waste my time reading any further.
Thanks Janet, It’s a bar all writers have to recognize.
One of my favorite first lines is from Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher. “To say the least, it was inconsiderate of Diana’s almost dead husband to show up at her engagement party.” You HAVE to keep reading after a line like that.
Hi Susan, Robin is such an awesome writer – and her books keep us glued to the page.
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” This is the first line of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are favorite books of mine!
Hi Martha, Oh yes, love that line. So rich and filled with meaning. Great books!