What makes an eyecatching first line of a novel?

Begin with a strong action. Like 'I had the story, bit by bit, from various people, and, as generally happens in such cases, each time it was a different story.' It starts with an active 'had' which shows the narrator's acquisition of the story. It makes the reader wonder what the story is.

Well, a best first line might set the tone for the whole story. For instance, 'It was a dark and stormy night, and all the while, a sense of dread filled the air.' Here, the gloomy setting and the feeling of dread in the first line give an idea that the story will be full of mystery and perhaps danger. It hooks the reader and makes them want to keep reading to find out what will happen in such a foreboding situation.

A great novel first line often grabs the reader's attention immediately. It could introduce a mystery, a compelling character, or set a unique tone for the story.

A captivating first line often creates intrigue or poses a mystery. It grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to know more.

A great first line grabs the reader's attention immediately. For instance, 'The day the world ended, I was eating an ice - cream.' It creates mystery and makes the reader want to know more. It sets an unexpected tone.

A great first line of a cyberpunk novel often sets a mood of high - tech and low - life. For example, it might introduce a dystopian cityscape filled with neon lights and rain - soaked streets. It could start with a description of a character who is a cybernetic-enhanced loner, like 'He woke up in a cold, steel - walled room, his cybernetic eyes adjusting to the dim neon glow.' This immediately gives a sense of a future world that is both advanced and somewhat alienating.

It should also set the mood. If it's a horror story, a line like 'The old, creaking house on the hill seemed to have eyes that followed her every move.' creates a spooky atmosphere. The description of the house gives a sense of unease and makes the reader expect something scary to happen. This kind of first line is important as it gives the reader an idea of the genre and tone of the story.

A 'first line novel' could also potentially be a term used in a more niche or experimental writing community. It might mean a novel where the writer spends an inordinate amount of time perfecting the first line, knowing that it will have a major impact on how the reader perceives the whole work. Some writers believe that if the first line is strong, it can carry the momentum of the story forward.

I don't remember exactly, but you could check the book or search it online.

A great first line for short fiction often grabs the reader's attention immediately. It could be something unexpected, like 'The day the sky turned green, I knew my life was about to change forever.' It sets an unusual tone right from the start and makes the reader curious.