What makes a great opening of a book?

[Komal Mansoor]

Hello friends,

Today I published a great article, "How to give your stories great openings and endings" by Dan Coxon (published author) and since I could not resist, I included my thoughts as a reviewer on great openers. Here is what I wrote (as a reader/reviewer):

Whenever I read a story, be it short story, a novella/novel or even non-fiction like memoir or say travel book (Yes, I do like to read a variety of genres!), the first thing that I judge as a reviewer is: was the writer able to pull me in the story from the very first chapter? In fact, I can gauge from the opening lines or sometimes by reading first few paragraphs of the book, that whether the story is going to be engaging or not (with few exceptions of course, where the story does get interesting after a slow start!).

 

That being said, when I am nearing the finishing chapters, I am always intrigued and desperate to find out as to how the writer put all the strings of the story together and gives a coherent and satisfying resolution. For example, in most of chick-lit, it is simple stuff like: was the girl able to establish her own career and be independent? Was the boy successful in winning over the girl? Will she choose guy A or B?

 

In a memoir, it depends mostly on which phase of writer’s life is emphasized and at which stage is the writer going to finish it? (Read “Unimagined” to know what I am talking about!) If it is theme based, then I want to know the stance of the writer, which side is he/she taking? What is his/her opinion? How he/she perceives that topic/phenomena/dilemma? The perfect example could be Caitlin’s book, “How to be a woman” or “The Funny Thing Is…” by Ellen Degeneres.

 

Okay, so that was how I felt on writing the first and the last lines of a book, needless to say, a very subjective opinion as I am not the expert writer who knows all the tricks of the trade. I felt it was important to share my thoughts so the readers of my blog can get a full picture: from a book reader’s viewpoint as well as from a book writer’s viewpoint. 

Now to read Dan's thoughts as an author, go to this link: http://komzreviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/be-my-guest-how-to-write-gr... 

If you are a writer, share how important you find the openings and endings of a book and what are your tips to make those interesting for the reader. If you are a book reader/reviewer, tell which book made an impression on you because of its engaging beginning lines or a surprise ending. Share what you feel on this topic.

Would love to know what you think as a reader or a writer on this topic, share your views on this topic now! :) 

 http://komzreviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/be-my-guest-how-to-write-gr... 

Oh yeah, there is a surprise giveaway at the end of this post, for my lovely readers as well, so check out! :)

Not only this, I have so many great giveaways going on my blog, so keep checking this page, for entering and winning awesome books! 

http://komzreviews.blogspot.com/p/see-this-page-for-entering-in.html

Feel free to share, comment, follow for more such writing tips and great book discussions.

Komal

http://komzreviews.blogspot.com/

[Nicholas Lamar Soutter]

Openings need to catch the reader right away...  Some of the best?

"When they broke through the door, they realized they had the wrong apartment, so they killed the old lady instead"

"As he faced the firing squad, Lt. Col. Antonio Buenidia thought back to the day his father invented ice"