Hey Wonderful Writers,

In this newsletter, I will give you a quick crash course on the importance of writing interesting opening sentences.

Description:

Your opening sentence sets the tone for your entire piece. It’s what pulls the reader in after the headline.

Why it’s important:

If your opening sentence doesn’t grab attention, readers might lose interest before they even start the main content.

Key Points:

• Ask a thought-provoking question.
• Start with an interesting fact or statistic.
• Use vivid imagery to create a strong mental picture.

Example:

"Did you know that over 70% of readers decide to stop reading after the first few sentences?"

Actionable Item:

Write three different opening sentences for your current article. Test each one with a friend or fellow writer and choose the most engaging one.

Reference:

A few more examples here.

"I am an invisible man."​
From Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, this opening line is simple yet profound, immediately intriguing the reader with an air of mystery about identity and existence.

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."​
This line from George Orwell's 1984 sets an unsettling tone, creating a sense of curiosity and oddity right from the start, which perfectly foreshadows the novel's dystopian theme.

"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."​
The first line from Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina hooks readers with a general truth that hints at the deep exploration of human emotion and relationships.

"All children, except one, grow up."​
J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan starts with a thought-provoking line that stirs curiosity about that one exception, immediately setting the tone for a magical story.

I’d love to hear how this information works for you! Feel free to share your experiences by replying to this email or tagging me on Twitter/X. If you know fellow writers who would benefit from these prompts, please forward this newsletter to them. Let’s write together!

I hope you'll give this a try!

See you next week.

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