How Great First Lines Make Readers Pay Attention (with Abigail K. Perry)

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a fiction writer in possession of a brilliant story must craft a captivating opening line.

No pressure, right?

Your opening line is your story’s first impression. Agents, editors, and even readers decide fast whether they want to keep reading or drop the book altogether. And yes, they can make that judgment in as little as the very first sentence.

So your opening line is doing some heavy, heavy lifting.

But what, exactly, do great first lines do?

What sets an unputdownable first sentence apart from a forgettable dud? How do they capture readers—and agents—in a matter of seconds?

I turned to Abigail K. Perry, editor, book coach, and expert in opening chapters, to find out. 

You’ll hear:

• What agents are looking for in the first line of a manuscript (and what makes them stop reading)
• What makes captivating first lines actually work
• How to find the hooks of your story—what only your story can deliver
• How to lighten the pressure to get the first line right
• And more!

If you’ve ever worried over the beginning of your book—if you’ve ever written and discarded a dozen different versions of your first sentence, and you’re still stressed that that first line won’t land—well, I think you’re going to love what Abigail has to share.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Want more first chapter wisdom? Check out the first part of my conversation with Abigail: How Great First Chapters Make Readers Care »

Check out a few of Abigail’s “First Chapter Deep Dive” episodes on Lit Match:

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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