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| Me making supper, not exactly as shown. credit, diaryofacountrywife.wordpress.com |
I'm a cover girl. No, not the kind on the magazine (obviously). I'm talking book cover. I confess, it's the image that grabs my attention and makes me pick it off the shelf—isn't that why they spend money and time working with the artist?
However, it's the first paragraph or even the first line that determines if I'll tuck it under my arm or slip it back into place.
Ah, the first line, the tagline if you will, that sets the story in motion.
Sometimes you have no choice but to keep reading, and turning the pages. Then, before you know it, you've burned supper.
These are from some of my favorite books. Do they look familiar to you?
1. Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again.
3. I still remember the day my father took me to the Cemetery of Forgotten Book for the first time.
4. The night before he went to London, Richard Mayhew was not enjoying himself.
5. Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood.
6. All children, except one, grow up.
7. My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie.
8. I first saw Hundreds Hall when I was ten years old.
9. I became what I am today at the age of twelve on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975.
10. It was a pleasure to burn.
Wouldn't you want to read more? Now take a look at your own manuscript. Are you hooked by the first line?
What are your favorite first lines? How many on my list can you guess the title and author?
Next Monday I'll be blogging the latest episode of Once Upon A Time.
Cheers!
14 comments:
The opening line that's been my guiding star is from Lou Reed's New York album:
"Romeo Rodriguez makes the cross and curses Jesus, runs a comb through his black ponytail"
The immediacy and urgency demands attention.
I recognize some of those! Though, sadly, not all of them. The one I'm most curious about is the last one. What book is that from?
xx Rachel
Hey, Rachel. #10 is from 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury.
Love it. Thanks, Elias.
I'm embarrassed to say that's the only one I knew. I thought number 2 was Jane Austin but I had no idea which book and I think number 6 is Peter Pan.
Got "Pride and Prejudice","Lovely Bones" and "Peter Pan".
Three of my favorites:
"This is a story about a man named Eddie and it begins at the end, with Eddie dying in the sun."
”When all is said and done, killing my mother came easily."
"When he was nearly thirteen my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow."
Those are probably easy for you....
Number 6 sounds like Peter Pan, but I've never read it so I don't have the slightest clue.
I'll shop by book covers in the store, and if I see something I like, I write the title down and make a note to download the sample to my kindle. I hardly ever read more than the back blurb in this process.
#6 is Peter Pan, smarty pants. And yes #2 is Pride and Prejudice.
I only the last one, To Kill A Mockingbird. Nice.
You're right. I like the way shop for books, speedy quick.
Well, now I feel stupid. I only knew two (Peter Pan and Pride and Prejudice). As for shopping by the cover, I'm guilty. After that comes Title and the book jacket. Superficial, huh?
Not at all superficial. That's why we get so excited for cover reveals!
I know #2,3,4,6, & 7
Great lines, and great choices...definitely some of my favourites in there, too! Especially #6 and #3 =D
#1 is Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
I also got #6
C.Dancourt
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