Royalty-Free Novel First Lines
Attention-getting openers to hurl you on your way to writing fame and fortune
Writing a novel is hard. But writing the perfect first line is even harder.
Most of us know the opening to the 1830 novel Paul Clifford by Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer-Lytton:
“It was a dark and stormy night;”
It actually continues — and continues (and continues):
“It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents — except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.”
Not surprisingly, Grammarly considers that sentence “hard to read.”
It has become a cliché. Whether that is good or bad is up to you to decide. Regardless, coming up with an excellent first line can be difficult.
Have no fear. I am here to bail you out. I have composed several opening lines you can freely use to start your novel. If you feel like giving me credit in the novel acknowledgments, that would be nice. Or I can simply remain your ghostwriter (boo!)
But if my incredible opening line makes your novel more popular than Harry Potter and Game Of Thrones combined, a little burrito money — and a new Porsche — would be appreciated.
Enough preamble. Let’s get to the good stuff. Here are my attention-getting novel first lines, in no particular order.
Warning: if you have no interest in fame or fortune, you may not want to use these. As they are bound to become famous and studied by future writers for generations.
“Paper. I need paper!” Charles cried. It was too late.
I woke up and noticed the fork sticking out of my chest. That is odd, I thought.
“Why, that is preposterous. Winston Ferguson Wellington simply does not do the locomotion.”
Hope lay dashed on the shore of the unending sea of sorrow, which seemed shallower than usual thanks to Happy Jack’s proclivity for morning swims.
“Can I borrow your barrel for a week?”
Gunfire rang out. Billionaire Jennings dropped to the ground. After twenty misses, the not-particularly accurate sniper packed up and left. Jennings got up, looked at his crushed bag of tacos, and went home.
“I am not accustomed to such frivolity. I must decline your invitation to play checkers.”
The train pulled into the station. Then, noticing that it was the wrong station, left again.
“How long have you had that head?”
It was a beautiful day. Bob looked up at the perfect blue sky and watched the sun explode.
Janet arrived at the gala with an open bag of chips. “Time to salsa, people!”
Frank was a second-rate gumshoe in a second-rate city. Which is why the dames all loved him.
“Not another wizard! Seriously? Come on! What does a King have to do to get a break around here?”
Woosh! Boom! Woosh!
Rain fell like anvils. The umbrella market never recovered.
“Your face! Your wonderful face! Kiss me with your wonderful face. Then hug me and kiss me with your wonderful face. Then drive me home and hug me and kiss me with your wonderful face.”
I scanned the horizon. Looking for a flash of light that would tell me it was safe to cross the intersection.
“I like pepper.”
The French Toast War had decimated Earth. Fortunately, John had built a time machine in his garage that ran on syrup.
I didn’t think I had it in me. I was as surprised as anyone when it came out.
“I simply have to run my fingers through your hair,” the driver said as I boarded the bus. I decided to take the subway.
My brush with death was short-lived.
It was an untamed land. We sent it to land training school, but it didn’t work.
In a time of peril, things were perilous.
“You. Me. Scrabble.”
Well, that’s it for this time.
Enjoy the success of your new novel.
Thanks for reading and responding. You make it fun.
Mark
These are fabulous, Mark. They provide such good models. May I actually use them? I especially am inspired by this one: "It was a beautiful day. Bob looked up at the perfect blue sky and watched the sun explode." Thanks for your generosity!
I have a few picked out!!!