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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

That First Sentence....

When I go to the library (to chose a book to read) I always do the same thing. I open an attractive book and read the first sentence. More often than not, I know right then and there if I want to check the book out of the library. Same thing when I go to the book store.

That first sentence has make me want to read more. Same with editors. If a manuscript you submit doesn't have a first sentence that reaches out and grabs that reading editor by the throat, it's going to go into the slush pile.

I know that all of us don't aspire to become published authors and that's just fine. As long as we are having fun, that's more than fine, it's terrific!

Since we've been painting with words, drawing from our memories, and using all of our senses, we should be good to go with a writing activity I thought of today!

Here goes:

Write one sentence that would make anyone want to read more!

I'll go first:

A whisper-soft breeze blew through her hair like the calm before a storm.

Your turn! You'll do better than me. Come back more than once if you feel inspired to write more than one reader-grabbing sentence!

30 comments:

Jan Mader said...

Write one sentence that would make anyone want to read more!

Jan Mader said...

Here's another one...

Six uniformed police officers standing on my lawn didn't shake me up nearly as much as the ambulance that went racing away.

Jan Mader said...

Or for a children's book:

Mia's toes were stuck together with peanut butter and jelly.

DJan said...

it had been a week since she was stung by 175 bees.

DJan said...

She didn't mean to hurt the man in the store.

Ziggy Stardust said...

I never realized how much I love him until I saw him laying there blood soaked and barely breathing.

Ziggy Stardust said...

The light was so calming, and everything around me just seemed to melt together, I felt such peace.

Ziggy Stardust said...

As I pulled my head out of the trash bag and saw Mommy coming I knew I was in trouble.

CATachresis said...

My heart did a triple somersault when the phone rang and I heard the words "This is Gwynedd Hospital A & E department. Now there's no need to worry but .... "

Jan Mader said...

I'd want to read on and on with every single one of these!

Rachel Kimberly said...

I appeared on a blue and misty morning under an old man's willow tree, and I have no idea where I came from before that.

Maria said...

The dog stiffened, tensed and backed away with a low throated growl and Marlene felt a deep sense of dread that something terrible was about to unfold......

RIZZI said...

IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE, AND SARAH WAS WALKING HOME WHEN SHE HEARD FOOT STEPS BEHIND HER.


THE BABY CRIED, AND WHEN SARAH WENT TO GET HER THE CRIB WAS EMPTY.

HI JAN, LOVE YOUR BLOG. RIZZI

Marjie said...

From a story my 4th grader wrote in April:

"If someone asked George if he had something to do with it, he'd say no."

I may transcribe this one this weekend.

Jan Mader said...

I can't quit reading your "first sentences"....they make me want to read a book or use one of your sentences to write a story! I promise, I won't take any or your terrific first sentences for my own...but I am inspired!

^..^Corgidogmama said...

A grin of pointy teeth met my sleepy gaze as the paw in my belly region lifted.

^..^Corgidogmama said...

Dang it, I so....want to write a children's book for my grandbaby girl featuring my beloved corgi furkids!

Not Slim Shady said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Not Slim Shady said...

The Captain said, once we got onto the top deck of the ship, that it was perfect weather for Sirens.
_
There are times in life, that we think absolutely nothing can go wrong.
_
The police officer knocked on the front door twice, waiting for the tell-tale sign of feet padding across the floor.
_
I woke up with a jolt when I felt hot breath on my face.
_
Childhood fears, honestly shouldn't be revisited sometimes.
_
The sweetly serene day outside, with it’s beautifully crisp air smelling of flowers, did nothing to remedy what was happening inside.
_

I love all of the ones posted so far! They would be wonderful books.

Jan Mader said...

You are so right JUST ME AND MY TEDDY BEAR!

You sentences are awesome too!

Not Slim Shady said...

Hah, thank you! I think yours are great too, I especially love the peanut butter and jelly one.

Bee Magic Chronicles for Kids said...

Here's a couple sentences from my book (not yet published) about honey bees:

The smoke seemed to be everywhere. It was coming in through the opening at the bottom of the beehive and then it poured in from the entrance at the top.

“FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!” shouted the worker honey bees and then they began to scramble around the hive. “EAT THE HONEY!!! HURRY!!!! EAT THE HONEY!!!!” and they ran to the honeycombs where the honey was stored and began to eat it as fast as they could.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

The scratched and scrawny filly, had obviously been lost in the canyon since spring.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

My heart broke as she closed her eyes for the last time.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

ta daaaa

1.The scarecrow was being chased by those cranky crows!

2.With a flying leap, I landed on the lily pad!

3.The marshmellows were toasted to a golden brown.

Jan Mader said...

I think we should all write books!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Tweedles mouth was so full of marshmellows, that she could hardly giggle!

ocmist said...

Hi! My name is OC, which stands for Ornery Critter, and I would like to tell you about my home in Corgi Country.

Sailor's Mom said...

The box appeared suddenly on the front porch, giving no hint of its provenance. One moment the gray boards near the front door were empty; the next, as if by magic, the box had materialized.

Sailor's Mom said...

Red-tinged seawater sloshed over the top of the ringed seal’s breathing hole, staining the ice with blood.

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