Unique First Sentences

in which I gush over some of my favourites

If you’re like me, you struggle writing first sentences. It’s such an author cliche. We sit down, this epic idea in our heads, and go blank because we know what comes next, but not what comes first.

Today I want to share some of my favourite first sentences. However, I’m putting a twist on this. After searching the internet, I found so many lists of amazing first sentences and they all had the same books on them. I want to focus on indie books because indie books make up a lot of what I read.

So without further ado, here is an list of an undetermined length with some of the first sentences that really stick out to me. Do yourself a favour and go check out these books and authors!

(EDIT: I did a quick comb through my shelves and found six…which isn’t a lot but it’s a start!)

1: “Some princes never became king.” - Golgotha, Angela R. Watts. I really like this gentle entry to the story. It’s short, but it packs a punch. It makes you want to know why.

2: “Amara walked a little quicker as an explosion toppled the small, stone building behind her—an explosion she had planted.” - Technically Not Dead, Leah Jubilee. This is an example of a first sentence that throws you right into the action. It’s intriguing, it’s shocking, it’s enough to make you want to read more.

3: “If, by some act of mercy, you choose not to throw this letter into the hearth unopened, I hope it finds you well.”, “The first time Isla Starling found herself face to face with a dragon, she knew she was no Hunter.” - Chase the Legend, Hannah Kaye. I chose to include the first sentence of the prologue and chapter one because I make the rules here and I like both. The prologue is a letter and we know right away that our character has done something to whoever is receiving the letter. Then we’re thrown into action in the first chapter. Though what I find interesting about the sentence leading into chapter one is that the dragon doesn’t surprise me as much as the choice to capitalize Hunter. I want to know who the Hunters are and why they have to hunt dragons. It’s a neat way to include a touch of worldbuilding.

4: “For Princess Zariya, waking up from seven years of cryo-sleep was not that much different than waking up from a nap.” - Kling Klang Gloria, Jenni Sauer. I instantly want to know what would possess someone to sleep for seven years, or who would force someone to sleep for seven years. It’s an intriguing start that makes me want to keep on reading.

5: “The cottage at 6163 Annadale Drive was the only place in Long Lily that could guard impossible things.” - Kit and Basie, Tessa Carletta. What is an impossible thing? That’s all I want to know. I will keep reading until I know what this house is guarding.

6: “The steaming cup of tea looked like cow dung.” - Fortified, V. Romas Burton. I like silly openings that make you smile a bit before you keep reading. This is actually the start to a very fun fantasy story, but the fact that it opens so…mundanely is really neat and very well done.

That is my OVERLY EXHAUSTIVE list (…mmhmm) of first sentences I like. There are more that I could include in a second part if I ever feel inclined to do so. I hope that reading these either helps you start your own story or helps you find a book that becomes a favourite.