First line of first chapter: Dialogue? Description?

Kris · May 26, 2009

What goes on in the first line of the first chapter of your book?

My MS starts with a conversation between four young women. Can I start it with a line of dialogue, or will that seem gimmicky?

Excuse the abject helplessness of this question. Making drastic revisions and feeling a little seasick.

Leasie · May 26, 2009

It's up to you. I have seen lots of first chapters on here which start with dialogue. I personally like to have 1 sentence at the very beginning to kind of ground the situation for the reader

Kathleen42 · May 26, 2009

If you want to start with the dialogue, start with the dialogue (though I would tag it or proceed with something to ground the user).

Odds are, whichever way you start it, you'll end up changing it.

Kris · May 26, 2009

Okay, I know it is up to me and the question seems silly, but you just never know when you post on here what reasons/rationalizations people have that might illuminate your dilemma.

For example, 2 out of 2 posters so far noted that they prefer a little something before the dialogue. I was completely on the fence, so now I have a slight breeze to tip me in one direction.

Beats flipping a coin!

thanks guys!

The Lonely One · May 26, 2009

Whatever it is, make it good. That is all I require as a reader. Though I will admit, in a short story, I'm way more harsh on a first line of dialog than I am on a first line of description or narration. In a book I can probably forgive it more because I'm gonna give you longer to hook me.

In my WIP, I start with a childhood memory. I usually try pretty hard not to start with ungrounded dialog, but it can work if you're good at it.

Claudia Gray · May 26, 2009

The first line of AFTERLIFE is dialogue. It's the fourth in a series, though; I don't know if I would do that when starting off with new characters, unless that was one awesome line of dialogue. I've seen that done beautifully, but the way I write, it would be tricky for me.

vrabinec · May 26, 2009

I'd feel naked if I didn't give the reader something to visualize first, and then moved on to the dialogue. It just feels wrong to me to leave the reader sitting there, listening to a conversation and looking at a big white roomful of padded nothing that has absorbed all color, smell, feel, taste and all sound except for the words the first character speaks. So, I'm a setting first, dialogue next kinda guy.

Hadrian · May 26, 2009

I don't consider opening with dialogue a problem. If it's engaging enough, it may pull me in more than narrative; even if I don't know where they are, I feel the urge to know, so I continue reading. I'm drawn towards books that begin with a single line of dialogue and then narration, the action seems more immediate to me this way.

Danthia · May 26, 2009

Either work as long at the line itself is compelling. Dialog often gets a bad rap because the line isn't what's interesting, but the person saying it or the situation in which it's said. But you don't get to that until after you read the line, so it doesn't have the same impact. I like to use internalization, which is kinda like dialog without quotes

So I use the best of both worlds and it's worked out well for me.

ccarver30 · May 26, 2009

Dialogue is a turnoff to me.

Leah_Michelle · May 26, 2009

The first lines of my book are description, but my favorite chapter intro is one that starts with quick, humorous back-and-forth dialogue between my two MCs. No descriptions in there, not even he said/she said.

It would make no sense if I did that in the beginning, but it was more fun to write

dpaterso · May 26, 2009

You made me look! First line tells of protag's lustful thoughts about a married woman.

-Derek

Devil Ledbetter · May 26, 2009

Have you ever watched a movie that begins with a nothing but blank screen and two characters talking? Starting with dialog is the equivalent of that - except your readers can't even tell if the characters are male or female, or hear their tone. It's pretty much disembodied, non-descript voices floating in space.

It can work, but it better be absolutely fantastic dialog.

ccarver30 · May 26, 2009

Devil Ledbetter said:
Have you ever watched a movie that begins with a nothing but blank screen and two characters talking? Starting with dialog is the equivalent of that - except your readers can't even tell if the characters are male or female, or hear their tone. It's pretty much disembodied, non-descript voices floating in space.

It can work, but it better be absolutely fantastic dialog.

Great point/visual.

Thalia · May 26, 2009

Dialogue can be a great story starter, as long as your reader understands what's going on. For example, instead of "Are you sure this is a good idea?" she said, say "Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked a young girl, her knees buckling at the idea of telling such a crazy lie.

Another good idea is to put a quick paragraph right before it, maybe with a bit of foreshadowing, or just setting the mood.

Eafy · May 26, 2009

I prefer a sentence to entice me into reading. My WIP's first line is :

I love strolling down the street without a care in the world, it is fantastic.

It reveals something about the character.

Rushie · May 26, 2009

The first line of the first chapter of my novel sets the season, the year, the location, and includes mention of dead bodies washing up on the beach. The next two lines show the MC witness a submarine torpedo a ship. I don't know... I just figure for my first novel I better start with the triad: set the scene, introduce the MC, and include some hook. I'm not going to try anything fancy like start with dialogue until I'm a much better writer.

mjlpsu · May 26, 2009

I've used both. Also used a letter to start.

I've also read and enjoyed works that use both methods.

The lesson is: whatever you choose, write it well.

blacbird · May 26, 2009

mjlpsu said:
The lesson is: whatever you choose, write it well.

Dam. There's always a catch, isn't there?

caw

First line of first chapter: Dialogue? Description?

Kris

like motherf&cking Tolstoy

Leasie

Surrender, Dorothy!

Kathleen42

crushing on fictional characters

Kris

like motherf&cking Tolstoy

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Claudia Gray

vrabinec

Dipwad

Hadrian

Daniel Trujillo

Danthia

ccarver30

Nicole Castro

Leah_Michelle

Fangirling

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

Devil Ledbetter

Come on you stranger, you legend,

ccarver30

Nicole Castro

Thalia

better off with a really good lie

Eafy

Rushie

mjlpsu

unidentifiable food tester

blacbird