First Lines
August 25, 2010 | Filed under: Stuff
Do you remember them? Do they really matter in the grand scheme of the whole book? I always wonder. Not too long ago I started a new book and I agonized over the first few paragraphs for days.
And then I ate a box of cookies and felt better. Chip A’hoys, if you’re wondering.
But back to the opening of a book. I’m writing a new series (Lucky Harbor novels). Three disenchanted, estranged sisters stuck together when they inherit a falling down on its axis beach inn. Three books, one for each sister; The Mouse, The Steel Magnolia, and The Wild Child.
The Mouse’s story is Simply Irresistible, out 9/26. Here’s Maddie’s opening few lines:
Maddie drove the narrow, curvy highway with her past still nipping at her heels after fourteen hundred miles. Not even her dependable Honda had been able to outrun her demons.
Or her own failings.
Good thing then that she was done with failing. Please, be done with failing, she thought.
Then comes book two, The Sweetest Thing (4/11). Our feisty heroine Tara takes crap from no one. Her opening lines:
“Muffin?” Tara asked as she walked along the long line of people waiting to enter the pier’s summer festival. “Have a free Life’s-A-Peach Muffin?”
The large basket was heavier than she’d anticipated, and the late afternoon June sun beat down on her head like a Congo drum. Perspiration beaded on her skin, which really chapped her hide. It was the steel magnolia in her. Perspiring wasn’t just undignified, it contradicted her never let ‘em see you sweat motto.
Telling herself that she was merely glistening, and hopefully looking luminous while she was at it, Tara amped up her smile and kept going. At least her sundress was lightweight, the material gauzy and playful against her skin. She’d bought it to look sophisticated and elegant. And to boost her confidence.
It was a tall order for a dress.
And last but not least is the Wild Child, Chloe in Head Over Heels. This is the book I’m writing now. And frankly, I’m not that far. And the pages are rough. And this book actually opens in the hero’s pov, the only man I could see being able to handle Chloe — a real tough alpha guy. (Remember, ROUGH page here):
Sawyer Thompson walked into his bedroom, dropped his gun and cell phone to the nightstand, and glanced at his bed. Empty. The only thing that could possibly have improved this sorry-ass excuse for a day would have been to find a woman there waiting for him.
Naked.
With nefarious intentions in mind.
Yeah, I think Sawyer is going to be a lot of fun to write. But I digress. First lines … how much do they mean to you? Do you remember them? Do you have a book that sticks out with a great opening?
Posted by Jill @ 1:00 am | Make a Comment
Stacy ~ says:
Geez Jill, I can’t think this early in the morning LOL.
Hmmm, nothing comes to mind, which is not surprising cuz I have the worst memory. Great first lines are cool, but if that’s where the book peaks, then we have a problem. I think a good first line(s) can set the tone of the book, but for me, it’s the overall story. And Jill, you nail it. No worries for you
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 3:18 amPat L. says:
This series looks great – cant wait to read them and no, I cannot honestly say I remember any first lines.
As long as you keep writing those funny, great contemps, I am happy.
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 3:55 amJim says:
It’s sort of like fishing, first lines get the hook in the mouth now you have to set it. You have done good with these.
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 3:59 amLaura says:
As a rule, an opening can catch my attention but I rarely remember it specifically.
Having said that, there was a book that I checked out on the author’s webpage. It had the first chapter available to read and it completely sold me on the book so I went directly to amazon.com to order it. My final analysis was that the first chapter was a contest chapter – worked and re-worked until it was perfect. I say this because the book totally fell apart after that first chapter. But hey, it worked long enough to get me to buy the book.
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 4:17 amJennifer M says:
Opening lines don’t mean that much to me. As others have stated they are usually what catches my attention, however I’m the type of reader that no matter how bad the book is at the start I keep reading thinking it’s going to get better.
As far an opening sticking out in my mind, has to be Instant Attraction when Katie awakes to find she is not alone.
These too sound great, can’t wait to read them!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 4:43 amJoyceZ says:
Opening lines mean a great deal to me. That’s what pulls you into the story. Opening line in The Heat is On: “Oh, yeah, baby thats good” and she was talking about desert! When I read that as a “sneak peak” I couldn’t wait for the book to come out!!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 5:13 amtennismom mary g says:
The one that comes to mind is Wicked Burn by Beth Kery. Don’t remember word for word. The H & H lived in the same apartment building. He was woken up by voices in the hallway. When he recognized her voice, certain body parts of his stirred & stiffened under the cool sheets. Totally hot beautiful writing.
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 5:46 amChrisA says:
Whether or not I decide to read a book doesn’t necessarily depend on the opening … sometimes I’ll dive in regardless if it is a favorite author. That being said, I love ones that grab me right off the bat and especially if they make me laugh.
Your openers are the best!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 5:49 amVicki says:
I am SO super jazzed for these new books – I have them written down in my calendar to pick up.
Few questions:
1. Don’t all new books come out on Tuesday – so is Simply Irresistible really coming out on the 26th or the 28th?
2. What is the next book in the baseball series? I thought I read it somewhere but lost track.
Btw – Sawyer – yummmm……picturing Sawyer from LOST – oh delicious!!!!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 6:14 amKristina says:
I think that they’re semi-important. LOL Mostly they have to just be an intention grabber. But yours always are. I am happy that you write the way you do.. the blogs, the books. All of it! You’re incredible. SO keep it up!
PS Thank you for responding to my email so fast!
It helped. And I’ll definitely let you know how my outcome is. 
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 6:39 amKaren Erickson says:
I already love Sawyer. Can’t wait to read this series. I’m a big squealing Jill Shalvis fangirl.
I think opening lines (& paragraphs) are important and I can be drawn in by various types. It really just depends on the writing I guess. Action, description, funny dialogue, mysterious dialogue…it can all get me if done right.
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 6:48 amFarrah says:
Well, I don’t know that I actually remember the opening lines later, but they are definitely vital for hooking me to read on. Head Over Heals opening made me smile and actually chuckle out loud with a mere 3 or 4 sentences. so I say its perfect. anyone who uses “naked” and “nefarious” in the same thought is bound to be a lot of fun!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 7:21 amJill says:
Vicki’s question reminded me to pop on here and say that I do hope to write Gage’s story in the baseball series someday very soon. Thank you so much for your interest in the sports heroes!
And also to Kristina, I do read everything I get. Sometimes I’m just too swamped to respond to each one but I really do treasure each and every comment I get here on the blog. You guys make my day.
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 7:48 amJenFS says:
I don’t necessarily check opening lines before I buy a book, but they do make it easier to get hooked. And the sooner I get hooked, the fast I’m going to read it and the more I’ll enjoy it.
You’re opening with Sawyer, BTW, is super inticing!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 8:20 amDonna M says:
I’m sorry to say I don’t remember opening lines but I do think they are important. When I am hooked on the first page I know it is going to be a good read. Yours never let me down. I’m looking forward to this new series.
From that little “rough” bit on Head over Heels I think I will love Sawyer.
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 9:50 amariana says:
Those openings were great! I cannot wait to read the books!
For me the openings are pretty important. Two books whose openings that stand out, although they are historicals, Tessa Dare’s “One Dance With a Duke” and Sophia Nash’s “Secrets of a Scandalous Bride”. I knew after the first page of Dare’s book that I was going to love it. And I seriously mean the first page. And the opening of Shophia Nash’s book was so amazing I read it over and over and actually posted part of it on my Facebook. I know I’m a dork, but there it is. Openings are big for me!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 12:51 pmMary M says:
Your opening paragraphs would keep me reading. I only remember first lines from classics..I.e. Pride and Prejudice, Gone With The Wind, A Tale of Two Cites…and I think it’s partly because the first lines of classics become quoted so often.
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 1:13 pmKassi says:
The first few lines are incredibly important to me, now I don’t exactly remember the first lines in a book, but that’s what sells me when I’m in a store, browsing around (of course now I have a Kindle and that has become my ADDICTION, so I haven’t been to a book store in quite sometime).
Oh, and thanks to those first lines, I will DEFINITELY be buying the books from that series!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 1:46 pmRebecca says:
Sorry, I’m not a ‘first line’ kinda girl. You’ve gotta say a whole lot more than one line to get me hooked…although I like your first lines of these books just fine. The author, more than the first line, is what brings me to a book. Good luck with your writing!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 2:28 pmJessica Rabbit says:
I liked the first books opening line. The second was good, not my favorite, but still good, I’d still read after that, lol. And the third is my favorite!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 3:53 pmkc says:
Loved your opening lines for Double Play and Get A Clue.
Can’t wait for Sawyer!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 4:09 pmNissie says:
Can’t wait for the new books! And no pressure, but sometimes the first few lines of any book can make me throw it down or stay up all night reading!
Posted on August 25th, 2010 at 4:31 pmCarrie says:
I really love good opening lines. It’s not essential to have a catchy first page in order to read the book. In fact, if I’m choosing a book on writing style, I’m much more likely to open to random pages and read. I can get a good feel for the writing style by reading isolated passages without knowing the plot. If the writing engages me, I’ll usually try the book.
But, that said, I do love good first lines. They make me happy.
I liked all three of the above opening scenes. Oh, and I would LOVE more books with a strong male perspective. I’d love it if you’d keep Sawyer’s point-of-view strong throughout the book.
Posted on August 26th, 2010 at 9:56 amJoyce says:
Great first lines! I always read further than first lines, but if I’m not hooked by the first say 20 pages it can not bode well for a book, but I usually go at least 50 pages. I can remember it took one book over 250 pages before I was hooked.
I HAVE NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM WITH YOUR BOOKS.
Posted on August 26th, 2010 at 3:52 pmBooklover1335 says:
I love great opening lines, but they are not as important to me as the first few chapters. But mostly I reserve judgment until the end
The two most recent books that I read that I loved the opening for were:
Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran “England was a wicked bitch who wished him ill.”
and
Corralled by Lorelei James ““Screwing two guys doesn’t make you a slut.”
Both of these first lines draw you in right away to find out the context of what was said.
Love them, but not essential to a great story. That being said I do remember these books more so than others that I have read since…so take what you will.
Posted on August 26th, 2010 at 7:49 pmlimecello says:
omg – these books!
Posted on August 26th, 2010 at 9:44 pm