One example could be 'He woke up and like he didn't know what was going on.' It's very simplistic and lacks any real descriptive power. Just a basic statement without any engaging elements.
A really bad first line could be 'The man, he did something.' This is so vague. It doesn't tell us who the man is, what he did, or why we should care. A good first line should give at least a hint of the story's direction or introduce an interesting character or situation, and this one does none of that.
Lack of clarity. For instance, if a first line is like 'Some stuff happened once.' It doesn't clarify what 'some stuff' is. It's just too general and leaves the reader completely in the dark.
In the 'first fall on line story', it might be about a new online artist who had their first big failure. They put their work out there, expecting great things, but instead received a lot of negative feedback. This was their 'fall'. However, they didn't give up. They used the criticism to grow and improve their art, and eventually became successful. It could also be about a new online learner who faced difficulties in their first online course and 'fell' behind but then caught up with hard work.
One possible criterion could be poor writing style. If the description is overly crude or just plain awkward, it might be considered for this 'award'. For example, using very basic and unappealing language to describe an intimate scene.
One example could be 'Plan 9 from Outer Space'. It has a really low - budget feel, with cheesy special effects and a convoluted plot that's hard to follow. The acting is also quite stilted, which makes it a candidate for the worst in the genre.
It depends on what the 'first line story' actually is. Without knowing the specific first line, it's hard to say. But generally, it could be developed into a love story, an adventure story or a mystery story.
The Barry Award for Best First Novel is an award given in the mystery genre. Some novels that might have won this award are those that showcase great writing, engaging plots, and unique characters in their first-time efforts. However, without more specific research, I can't name particular titles right off the bat.
The old house creaked. I heard a whisper. Then a cold hand touched my shoulder.
The worst part is probably the embarrassment. You don't want others to know and you're constantly worried about any signs showing. It's that feeling of being exposed.
The worst part could be bad breath. I mean, when you are expecting a sweet first kiss and then you get a whiff of something really unpleasant, it just kills the mood instantly.
I'm not sure which novel Paul Newman wrote exactly, so I can't provide the first line.