J.R. Johnson

Growing up, we were taught to give books the first sentence test. If that first sentence drew us in we’d move on to the first paragraph. I consider that mindset excellent training for authors running the editorial gauntlet.

Here are a few examples of good openers. While I may not love every one, it’s a good collection, made even more useful by the side-by-side comparison with other great literature.

Literature’s greatest opening paragraphs – the best opening lines in novels

As with pubs and shoes, you know you’re reading a great book from the second you’re inside it.

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