First lines carry more weight than we think. They don’t just begin a story—they set the tone, spark curiosity, and quietly promise the reader that something interesting is about to happen. If an opening doesn’t land, readers might not stick around long enough to see where it’s going. So how do you grab someone by the collar with just a sentence or two? Here’s how to make your opening impossible to ignore.
Start With Tension, Not Backstory
One of the most common pitfalls is starting too early. A character waking up. A weather report. A page of backstory before anything happens. Instead, start where things get interesting. Right at the edge of a decision, an argument, a discovery, or a moment that suggests change is coming.
The first time I stole a car, I was twelve.
That line doesn’t tell you everything—but it tells you enough. You want to know why, how, what happened next. That’s the job of a strong opening: plant a question that the reader has to keep reading to answer.
Ground the Reader—But Not Too Much
You don’t need to explain the entire world up front. Give just enough to orient the reader—where we are, who we’re with, what kind of story this might be. A sense of place and mood can go a long way. But trust the reader to fill in gaps as the story unfolds.
By the time the sun rose over the desert, the town had already buried its second body.
You don’t need to know who died, what year it is, or what town we’re in yet. The line gives you tone, setting, and a clear sense of stakes—all in one breath.
Introduce Voice, Not Just Information
Readers connect to voice. Whether it’s sharp, sad, funny, bitter, or curious—voice is what makes a reader lean in. You’re not just delivering data; you’re making a first impression. Think of your opening as a handshake—it should tell us who you are and make us want to know more.
People think ghosts are quiet. They’re not. They gossip.
There’s voice in that sentence—attitude, perspective, even humor. It hints at the story’s tone while introducing an idea that feels fresh. That’s what sticks.
Pose a Question (Directly or Indirectly)
You don’t need a literal question mark to raise a question. A strange situation, a bold statement, or something that feels offwill do it.
He had been dead for three days before anyone noticed.
That’s a line that demands answers. It doesn’t explain itself—it doesn’t need to. It trusts the reader to lean in and follow.
Curiosity is your best tool. A compelling question—even a small one—can carry a reader through pages.
Try Anchoring in a Specific Detail
Broad, vague openings don’t leave much to grab onto. But one sharp, vivid image can pull a reader in immediately. Don’t tell us “It was a beautiful day.” Tell us about the bees in the lemonade, the gum on the shoe, the smell of someone’s cologne lingering in the air.
The wedding cake was already melting when she ran.
Specifics make stories feel real. One well-chosen detail can do more work than a whole paragraph of explanation.
Don’t Be Afraid to Break the Rules
Openings don’t need to follow a formula. You can start mid-dialogue. You can open with a contradiction. You can begin with a lie the narrator believes.
This isn’t a love story. Not the kind you’re expecting.
That kind of line pulls the reader in because it pushes against expectation. A bold opening tells the reader you know where you’re going—and they should come with you.
Rewrite the Opening After You Know the Story
Your first sentence in the first draft probably won’t be your real opening. And that’s fine. Once you know what your story is really about—what drives it, what tone it needs—you’ll be better equipped to craft an opening that reflects that.
Don’t be afraid to cut your first few paragraphs entirely. Many great openings are buried beneath the warm-up. You just have to dig them out.
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