The first line of your story doesn’t have to be good, it has to be great! If it sucks folks won’t want to keep reading your manuscript. You get one chance to make a first impression. So, send me the first line of your manuscript in the comments section down below and I’ll pick some to critique. I’m not sure how many submissions I’ll get, but I’ll try to respond to as many as I can. And not to worry, I’ll be kind-ish.
It will look something like this:
Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself. I like this first line. I’d keep reading this manuscript for a number of reasons. This line has me want to know who Mrs. Dalloway is speaking to and why she feels she needs to assert herself here. I mean, if Mrs. Dalloway doesn’t buy the flowers, who will? It has me wonder why she is buying flowers in the first place. Is it for a celebration? A funeral? This one sentence, in its simplicity, poses so many questions that I want answered! There’s a tension here that I love. Yes, I’d keep reading this manuscript if it came into my inbox. Well done, Virginia!
DIRECTIONS: Just write the first line and whether it’s adult or children’s literature. THAT’S IT! No intro, no explaining, no background. Sorry, but if you don’t follow the directions I won’t post your entry. And while you’re here, why don’t you click that little “follow” button in the top left corner?
You may post your first line between 6am and 9pm EST. Please be patient if you don’t see it right away. I’ll approve comments as quickly as I can.
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