Great Beginnings: Perfecting Page One

You know the great opening lines: Manderley, ships at a distance, the last camel, an invisible man. Why do those work? And how can you create one for your own novel? And then—what about that crucial first paragraph? And a first page that will entice editors and enchant readers? How can you set the proper expectations for the story to come—and make every word work? If a reader doesn’t love the first line, they'll never get to the second one. How do you avoid info dumps, dreaded exposition and book-killing backstory?

In this class, suitable for any genre, we will dissect and analyze acclaimed first lines and opening paragraphs, and reveal the writing secrets these brilliant examples offer. If you are brave enough—please bring your own first line! Hank and the class will offer advice and guidance—to set you and your book off in the right direction.

Difficulty level: all_levels

Speaker(s)

• Hank Phillippi Ryan

Copyright © 2023 Writer's Digest, a division of Active Interest Media