opening lines

[causeways]

I'm working on rewriting the first scene of Merrin's and my Big Bang (posting two weeks from today, yo!) and am thinking about how it's pretty important that a first scene be AWESOME, because otherwise, hey, readers get bored and they drop your fic immediately

Comments

[causeways]

Oh man, my last lines are historically CRAPOLA. I have maybe two I can think of that I like, ever. I think this is going to be Merrin's problem!

[dev_earl]

For me personally as a writer, an opening line is DEFINITELY very important to hook a reader in. My favorite is probably the one from my j2_everafter. Chad was speaking, so. HEE.

As a reader, though, it totally depends on the writer. If it's somebody I don't know or haven't read before, the first line is definitely important. But a strong first scene would most certainly cinch the deal for me. :)

[causeways]

HAHA funnily enough, Chad is part of our first scene, too. :D

Agreed!

[causeways]

Heh, thanks. And that sounds like good methodology to me! I've just gotten crotchety lately, and have a bad tendency to x out before that point. :D

[thelimpshrimp]

Opening lines/scenes are important in hooking readers, but like many here agreed, if it's an author I trust, it's not essential. Coincidentally, most of the authors I trust to deliver a great story deliver great opening lines( and last lines) as well. And we do have a TON of fantastic opening lines/scenes in SPN fandom!

That said, I usually give it a page or two to shape up, if the opening is somewhat understated.

Good opening lines are important for hooking people in material they'd not normally read. I guess they don't have as much importance to me since I usually roam with something specific in mind to where if I find a fic fitting the bill, I'm bound to give it a chance.

[causeways]

Yeah, I just know that I am cranky as all heck these days and pretty likely to ditch a fic if it doesn't hook me STAT. But really excellent point about the opening needing to be particularly stellar if it's something you aren't sure you'll like!

[azephirin]

I love that fic! And that opening line is def. awesome. :)

To echo what other folks have said, if it's an author I trust, I'm pretty much along for the ride. For authors I don't know, a great opening line is always a plus, but it's more whether the scene as a whole grabs me: If so, I'm there, but if not, I'm not.

I would for the most part also characterize my openings as functional but not stellar. Although I do sort of love the opening for Downtown Girl, possibly because the entire story (opening line and all) pretty much dropped fully formed into my head. :)

[causeways]

I know I already commented to this effect on the fic but LORELEY! CHARBON! HAHAHA FOREVER.