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user-inactivated  ·  3820 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Can you come up with the first line of a novel/story?

It was a wintry day, but not the enjoyable sort with sparkling-white snow and a minty chill to the air; rather it was slightly damp and fucking cold, as though God had woken up angry and said to hell with it before getting back in bed.

--

I am not a fan of those trite "let's introduce a character with a first name and it'll be a superfun mystery" who they are beginnings that are all over every single one of these threads whenever we do them. I do not automatically care about John because he has a human first name and just did something slightly unusual. That's not how a 'hook' works. Go back to creative writing 101 and I will go back to trying not to be an asshole.

I like a little background in my first sentences, and a little substance, but nothing with too much commitment. I want my story to still be able to go anywhere after the opening, but also have a little something in it to keep the reader entertained.

EDIT: except refugee's, because refugee's is amazing.