What makes the prefect first chapter Part One :

What makes the prefect first chapter Part One:

 The hook and sinker technique

 "That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me."  Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.

One of the most important, most talked about, and trickiest part of a novel is the opening sentence. Not only does it set the tone for the entire book but it is also expected to catch the attentions of the reader. You can't just start out a sci-fi novel with "I ate a pickled sandwich"

 Yet if you can manage something as intriguing as the opening sentence from Ender's game by Scott Orson Card “'I've watched through his eyes, I've listened through his ears, and I tell you he's the one.’ “Not only have will you have caught the eye of reader, but also the feel of the entire novel. Half of Enders Game is how special Ender is.

 
Here are a few tips I noticed from my years of reading.

 

A great way to make your own opening sentence is to start with a question. It draws readers in and makes them want to read on to find the answer.

“How many more people have to die till they all realize how pointless this war is?" Fictional Book by a Hipster Author.

 

Another way to start your book is to use a quote from a well-known novel.  It automatically connects your book with there's.  Also humans love familiarity. It makes the reader feel comfortable and more open minded to see things they already know. Of course this could have the opposite affect if the reader hates the book you quoted from.  Obviously make sure that the quote connects to the story.

"Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story
of that man skilled in all ways of contending,
the wanderer, harried for years on end,
after he plundered the stronghold
on the proud height of Troy."

The opening sentence form the odyssey makes a great opener for a war novel, or story about middle aged man and  his son who travel around the world. It doesn't really work for a bad boy good girl teen romance though.

 

Dialogue also makes a great opener as it immediately connects to you a character “Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug." Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. You already know that Jo is a tomboy, unafraid to speak her mind and not a mindless goodie goodie  like the title "little women" would suggest. I would recommend this technique if you have a M.C with a strong voice.

 

As for my own first sentence …it isn't completely real yet.  Honestly Light-hearted’s word count is at 0 right now.  But this is the opener from my last book Feather Pen "It wasn’t until this moment that I realized what I had done."  Do you like it? What is your favorite opener you ever wrote? What is your favorite first sentence from any book?

Fare thee well ~ Milady!