Every writer faces challenges as they approach a writing project. Storyline is a major hurdle for some; although many write solely for personal satisfaction, many more would love to be published and paid for their work.
I previously wrote a short post about a book titled “Hooked” 
by Lee Edgerton. I highly recommend this book as a reference for anyone who has questions about how to organize their writing and how to get their story to stand out and be considered in the highly competitive world of publishing. It also contains specific information from numerous agents and editors about what they are looking for—and not looking for—in a manuscript.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?memberId=215115&articleId=281474977306691
The major point emphasized in the book is to have your story begin in the right place, which is not necessarily where you might think it should start. If you’re lucky enough to get your work read by an agent or publisher, be aware that many read only a few sentences or paragraphs before deciding if they’re interested in your work. That’s a lot of pressure for anyone to face!
So my prompt for today is for everyone to create a first sentence that “hooks” a potential reader into wanting to continue reading your story. Sounds easy, right? I always thought so too—until I sat down to do it.
You don't need a story already developed to do this exercise; maybe you have one you're just beginning to think about. Even if you don't write stories, give it a try just for fun. If you'd like member feedback about your sentence, make sure to let us know.
As always, I look forward to reading your submissions.
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Comments: 33
Here's my first sentence, fresh this morning: After her mother's funeral, Harriet dried her tears, signed the sale contract for their house, tossed her luggage into the trunk of her twelve year old sedan and headed for the coast of Oregon, twelve hundred miles away.
Critique welcome.
Ok--here's the first sentence of a short story I'm currently editing :
Ava was running fast as she could, so fast that her heart was pounding in rhythm to her feet, and she couldn’t remember when she’d ever been so scared!
So how long will these questions hold us? Now, there is suspense.
Another thing I like about "Hooked" is that it tells you where to fit in backstory if you have any. I have read many stories bogged down in ill-fitted backstory.
Thanks again, I appreciate the ping and info on Amazon, I'll go check it out when I get back from my trip this weekend.
She sat on the edge of nothingness, waiting.
Ah, there's an idea (smile).
She sat on the edge of her seat wondering when she became brain dead.
I am quite sure you are not brain-dead!
If you get inspired later, come back- I'd be interested to read what you might write. Even though I know you as a poet, they say every person has one great story in them. :)
I will say this: A hook, or 'lede' or 'lead' as it is known in the newspaper world, IS exceedingly difficult to write.
Often, I, or any other reporter, wrote the story first. We began with what we THOUGHT was a good lede, then wrote the story. By the time we finished the story, well - then we REALLY had our lede, and rewrote it.
An example. OTTOMH - Off the top of my head. (most of what I write, except for long fiction, is OTTOMH.
***
She sat on the edge of nothingness, waiting. The clocked ticked, its minutes were like hours, as she peeled off month-old nail polish, and looked out the window at passersby on the busy street below.
So much going on, she thought. They have a life. A real life, she thought. sit here all day, doing nothing. I stare up at the ceiling and count the cracks in the paint; I stare at the stained floor boards beneath my feet. My bare feet. I would like to do something, something real, something that matters, to somebody anybody besides me, she thought.
The ringing of the dinner bell broke her reverie.
"Mary, come for dinner." The nurse tapped Mary on the shoulder gently.
"I will come. In a minute. I will be there. Don't worry about me. I will be there. In a minute. Don't worry about me," Mary said to the nurse. Nobody worries about me, Mary thought to herself.
As the nurse left the room, she heard the window open, then gasps from the busy passersby below, as they stared at the lifeless body.
Mary knew she had something exciting to do today.
*****
Now, I would add the last sentence and make that the new lede:
Mary knew she had something exciting to do today. She sat on the edge of nothingness, waiting.