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Everyone knows the importance of a novel’s cover and book blurb. But what about the content on the page? Of course, the closing lines of a novel are significant. They have the potential to blow your readers away and make the book stick with them for days to months to years.
Side-Bar: Closers
My favorite example of this is the ending of Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. I spent my time reading this novel kind of non-plussed by it. I recognized that the imagery was phenomenal and the writing was solid, but it just wasn’t doing anything for me. Nevertheless, I powered through because I’m one of those poor souls who almost never gives up on a book. I wasn’t disappointed. The ending of Blood Meridian was rhythmic and hypnotizing. There was something happening there at the end that felt significant. I realized I had missed something pivotal, something hidden on the page that my eyes had just glossed over. I won’t say anything specific to avoid spoilers, but in short, there were extremely sinister undertones that I only understood after digging into others’ analysis of the book. The ending is the only thing that clued me into this.
First Impressions Are Key
Okay, but back to openers since that’s what I’m supposed to be talking about. Yes, closing lines are important. But what about the first sentence or few sentences of a book? You might think, “Of course that’s important. It’s what pulls the reader in and keeps them reading.” And you might be right except, in my experience, readers don’t actually make a connection to the book for the first few tens of pages. I fall prey to this tendency myself. I often have to back up and reread the first several pages of a novel well after I’m in the thick of it. Only then does it seem to stick.
However, there is another reason this first chunk of text does matter to the book. It sets the tone of the relationship between the author and the reader. It’s like when you’re being introduced to someone. Those first impressions matter and will dictate how you feel about each other for a long time to come. Any damage you do by seeming distracted or uninterested in the person can be hard to undo later. Better to simply make a good first impression. It’s the foundation.
A Relationship Between Author and Reader
A book is no different. It’s a relationship between the author and the reader, and it’s your chance to make a good first impression. If you level them with an amazing opener, the reader is more likely to view you as a master of the craft. They will be more forgiving of any future weaknesses in your writing. On the other hand, a weak opener can sour the relationship, causing the reader to see you as a novice. They will become increasingly critical of your writing and notice every little mistake or weakness. I know I do this as a reader myself!
The next time you find yourself reading a book that you’re not that into, pay attention to how you view it. Are you being as open and non-judgmental towards it as you would be to any book, or have you already decided you don’t like the book and are simply reinforcing your negative bias towards it? If you do, don’t feel bad. This is normal human behavior after all. It simply highlights what I’m getting at. You want to start a novel off on a strong note because it will influence your readers’ attitudes towards you.
Opener Examples
Now that we’ve established that book openers are indeed worth investing time and effort in, let’s dive into some examples. I’ll use some of my own favorite novels and evaluate the openers of each. Then I’d like to move on and use my own writing to get your lovely feedback.
My Favorite Novels
Beloved (Toni Morrison)
124 was spiteful. Full of a baby’s venom. The women in the house knew it and so did the children.
Neuromancer (William Gibson)
The sky over the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.
The Stars My Destination (Alfred Bester)
He was a hundred and seventy days dying and not yet dead.
Each of these works so well in setting the tone for the novels, imparting crucial information, and illustrating the author’s craft. From literary fiction (Beloved) to science fiction (Neuromancer and The Stars My Destination), each of these openers is exceptionally effective at pulling the reader in.
My Own Writing
Now I’ll commit the ultimate mistake of putting my own writing so close to masterful examples. But then, that’s the only way to improve.
Nytho
I can feel you through the wall. Don’t ask me how ‘cause I wouldn’t be able to put it into words.
Neuen
Just so you know, I don’t like getting myself involved in these kinds of things. I strive to be a, what’s it called, fly on the wall? It’s that age-old refrain that god-like beings like to use, and I’m just following the precedence.
Rewilders
The sweeper bot beeped in a sequence that sounded like a scolding. Flashing red LEDs completed the picture. Cosette pulled her foot back. It had been inches from crushing the thing.
Blessed is the Rot
The Distortion greeted Fenrir. He sensed the foul thing lurking as soon as he stepped off the ladder and onto the wheezing floorboards of the tower.
What do you think of my openers? Which pulls you in most as a reader? What about your own writing? Let me know and post your examples in a comment.
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