Writerly Wednesday - Opening Lines

Hello, everyone, and welcome to another edition of Writerly Wednesday! I hope you are enjoying your Hump Day. ;) Today, I'm going to discuss the Opening Line.

The Opening Line is the most important line of the book. Would you agree with me? I feel that if you don't hook the reader with that first line, you've lost. Unfortunately, this makes it also the hardest line to write. I've struggled with that line more times than I care to count.

Some of my favorite Opening Lines include:

"I was angry. I was so angry that I felt as though my body could burst open with that anger." ~ Amaretto Flame by Sammie Spencer

"Bo was on his knees in the center of the concrete floor, kneeling on a black towel." ~ Blood Like Poison: For the Love of a Vampire by M. Leighton

“I don’t know, Ivy. This borders on black magic,” Shayde said. “You are so dead when your mom finds out.” ~ The Book of Lost Souls by Michelle Muto

“Enough!” Lisbeth shrieked, slamming her hands down on the heavy oak table and raising herself from her seat. ~ The Childe by C.A. Kunz

"The flat tone of the monitor reverberated through my head as my mother’s lifeless hand began to turn cold in mine." ~ Foreshadow by Brea Essex

"When I was a little girl, I thought the shadows could harm me." ~ The Halo Chronicles: The Guardian by Carey Corp

These are only six of a very long list of favorite Opening Lines. :) And all of them are from Indie Authors. What makes them so wonderful? They elicit emotion immediately, whether you are scared, sad, angry or excited. These Opening Lines are what I strive for with every new Opening Line I write.

Want to know my best Opening Lines so far?

I live in a world of vampires. (a WIP)

Sirens and gunshots always sound louder from the edge of sleep. ~ "Hello to Nobody," a short story

I'm sure I have more that I'm not remembering right now. ;) How about you? Care to share any of your favorite Opening Lines? Do you struggle writing that perfect Opener? How do you handle it?

Happy Writing!
EM