AniProf “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.” #MGLitChat -9:01 PM May 30th, 2013
lisabrowndraws 'Where's Papa going with that axe?' said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast= best first line #mglitchat -9:02 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin 1st tip...your first line is the most important line you'll write. IMO. (see what I did there? combined the topics). LOL. #mglitchat -9:02 PM May 30th, 2013
MonicaYAwriting RT @KristineAsselin: Just a couple of minutes to #mglitchat. Join @joannelevy and me to share fave 1st lines and tips on craft. 9 pm #mglitchat -9:02 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy Hi everyone! Welcome. #mglitchat -9:03 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin RT @lisabrowndraws: Wheres Papa going with that axe? = best 1st line #mglitchat -9:03 PM May 30th, 2013
matt_janacone What are we talking about tonight??? :) #mglitchat -9:03 PM May 30th, 2013
ShellSly #MGLitChat Hi everyone! :) -9:03 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @lisabrowndraws I absolutely agree. on Charlotte's Web. #mglitchat -9:03 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin We're doing a potpourri tonight! Fave first lines and/or craft tips and/or sharing your own best first line. #mglitchat -9:03 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf First lines! RT @matt_janacone: What are we talking about tonight??? :) #MGLitChat -9:03 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy We're talking fav first lines (feel free to share yours) and potpourri. #mglitchat -9:04 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Looks like a good group, tonight. #MGLitChat -9:04 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin I'm sort of partial to "It was a dark and stormy night." #fave1stlines #mglitchat -9:04 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Potpourri? Isn't that the stuff you use to make a room smell nice? #MGLitChat -9:05 PM May 30th, 2013
matt_janacone @AniProf 1st lines of what??? #mglitchat -9:05 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Avoid cliches first lines, like waking up in bed or weather. #mglitchat -9:05 PM May 30th, 2013
ShellSly I love this one. RT @mimicross: And: There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. Holes by Louis Sachar Fave 1st lines #MGLitChat -9:05 PM May 30th, 2013
KevinTCraig RT @JoanneLevy: We're talking fav first lines (feel free to share yours) and potpourri. #mglitchat -9:06 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf IMHO, first line (and page) sets the tone for a book. #MGLitChat -9:06 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Yes. For sure. And ensures the reader keeps reading. RT @AniProf: IMHO, first line (and page) sets the tone for a book. #MGLitChat -9:06 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy Here's a recent one: "I had arrived early for my own assassination." from @nielsenwriter's THE RUNAWAY KING #mglitchat -9:07 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf We could also tweet horrible first lines, for contrast. #MGLitChat -9:07 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf @JoanneLevy Good one! #MGLitChat -9:07 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin "The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived there all alone." #mglitchat first line of my fave book of all time. -9:08 PM May 30th, 2013
Bec_AS @KristineAsselin Or looking into a mirror. #MGLitChat -9:08 PM May 30th, 2013
matt_janacone @KristineAsselin @AniProf Ahhhhh, got it. #mglitchat -9:08 PM May 30th, 2013
LalaleighJ I'm so stressed about my first line. I've been going to bookstores and reading lots of them. Ugh. #Mglitchat -9:08 PM May 30th, 2013
Bec_AS Yes, this! -> RT @AniProf: We could also tweet horrible first lines, for contrast. #MGLitChat -9:09 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Good tip! RT @LalaleighJ: I'm so stressed about my first line. I've been going to bookstores and reading lots of them. Ugh. #Mglitchat -9:09 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman It's YA, but my fav: We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck. From Feed by MT Anderson #mglitchat -9:09 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung "I have been accused of being anal retentive, an overachiever and a compulsive perfectionist, like those are bad things." 1/2 #mglitchat -9:09 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin My first line (first para) has changed the most in my book. Like a gazillion times. #mglitchat -9:09 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti "I only invented zombie tag three weeks ago, and we've already lost seven spatulas." -Zombie Tag, @hannahmosk #mglitchat -9:09 PM May 30th, 2013
matt_janacone O know Carl Hiaasen always startes books off with a prepositional phrase: 'One the morning of...' #mglitchat -9:09 PM May 30th, 2013
KevinTCraig #mglitchat fav 1st line "I only invented zombie tag three weeks ago, and we've already lost seven spatulas" ~ Zombie Tag by @hannahmosk -9:09 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf @LalaleighJ Why stressed? Remember, perfection is a myth. Just do your best. #MGLitChat -9:09 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung Which is, of course, from MILLICENT MIN, GIRL GENIUS by Lisa Yee. My favorite 1st line ever. 2/2 #mglitchat -9:09 PM May 30th, 2013
matt_janacone I know Carl Hiaasen always startes books off with a prepositional phrase: 'One the morning of...' #mglitchat -9:10 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung "There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it" (VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER) is way up there too. #mglitchat -9:10 PM May 30th, 2013
ShellSly @KristineAsselin Same here. I go through tons of rewrites on the first chapter alone. #MGLitChat -9:10 PM May 30th, 2013
lisabrowndraws Another first line: “Aujourd’hui, maman est mort.” The Stranger, by Camus. (Mother died today.) #mglitchat -9:11 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman @Mike_Jung Forgot about that one. Love. @lisayee1 #mglitchat -9:11 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @Mike_Jung That is awesome. I'd forgotten that one. #mglitchat -9:11 PM May 30th, 2013
LalaleighJ I also keep rewriting my first chapter. So, it doesn't really matter yet. I think I finally have it, but no first line:-( #Mglitchat -9:12 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung @JoanneLevy An oldie but goodie. #mglitchat -9:12 PM May 30th, 2013
nicoleva First lines can make you crazy. I write a prologue that I promptly throw out. I usually find my first line in that process. #mglitchat -9:12 PM May 30th, 2013
lisabrowndraws If I don't have a good first line, I can't even begin to write. #mglitchat -9:12 PM May 30th, 2013
YABookShelf RT @KevinTCraig: #mglitchat fav 1st line "I only invented zombie tag three weeks ago, and we've already lost seven spatulas" ~ Zombie Tag by @hannahmosk -9:12 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin The roar of the engine breaks the early morning silence and I drop the golf club in the middle of my back swing. #MyFirstLine #mglitchat -9:12 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung @jodyfeldman @LisaYee1 Yup, it's my all-time favorite by quite a margin. #mglitchat -9:12 PM May 30th, 2013
Sherry_Foley First line: When death comes for you, it will not be gentle. Blood Hunt by @ShannonKButcher #mglitchat -9:13 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Does it stop you from writing? RT @lisabrowndraws: If I dont have a good first line, I cant even begin to write. #mglitchat -9:13 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung Are we tweeting our own first lines? Because I'll totally do that. #egomaniac #mglitchat -9:13 PM May 30th, 2013
YABookShelf "It usually took the new kids two weeks to dump me, three weeks at the most." ~ Rogue by @LMillerLachmann #mglitchat -9:14 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Go for it! :) RT @Mike_Jung: Are we tweeting our own first lines? Because I'll totally do that. #egomaniac #mglitchat -9:14 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf @nicoleva First lines you keep are not always the first line of an early draft. I call this type of writing "warming up." #MGLitChat -9:14 PM May 30th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @KristineAsselin Yup. Not outlining. But I kinda need to start at the beginning to get going. #mglitchat -9:14 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman I've heard some people base their 1st line on their last chapter; use a placeholder until they've written the end. Anyone? #mglitchat -9:14 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung "There are four Captain Stupendous fan clubs in Copperplate City, but ours is the only one that doesn't suck." By me. Heh. #mglitchat -9:15 PM May 30th, 2013
pamvau “There was once a boy named Milo who didn’t know what to do with himself–not just sometimes, but always.”#mglitchat #Mglitchat -9:15 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Ever read a book with an outstanding opening line, and then the book fell off a cliff? #MGLitChat -9:15 PM May 30th, 2013
ShellSly @jodyfeldman I did something similar in my last MS. Had last line of last chapter echo the first line of the first chapter. #MGLitChat -9:16 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin @Mike_Jung I actually heard this as an example of great first lines in @novaren's first chapters workshop at #nescbwi #mglitchat -9:16 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf @jodyfeldman Interesting concept. #MGLitChat -9:16 PM May 30th, 2013
MelanieACrowder interesting! @jodyfeldman #mglitchat -9:16 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @jodyfeldman That's really interesting - neat idea! #mglitchat -9:16 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin I like this idea. Circular concept. RT @ShellSly: @jodyfeldman last line of last chapter echo the first line of the 1st chapter. #mglitchat -9:17 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross In & out 2nite but wanted to say, think it's not uncommon to rewrite 1st chapter when ms is done... so maybe 1st line too? #mglitchat -9:18 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung @KristineAsselin @novaren Really?? NO. SERIOUSLY??? #mglitchat -9:18 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Anyone want to share your favorite tips on craft? Or getting that elusive first line down pat? #mglitchat -9:18 PM May 30th, 2013
Videosta 1st line- Some disappointments can't be easily forgotten. They fester and burn down into the deepest recesses of your soul. #mglitchat -9:18 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin For reals! RT @Mike_Jung: @novaren Really?? NO. SERIOUSLY??? #mglitchat -9:19 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung @KristineAsselin @novaren NOVA IS FABUOUS! I mean, Nova was already fabulous, so I guess this just confirms her FABULOUSNESS. #mglitchat -9:19 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross &: This story begins within the walls of a castle, with the birth of a mouse. Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo Fave 1st lines #mglitchat -9:19 PM May 30th, 2013
ShellSly All this talk about first lines makes me really want to rewrite mine now. ;) #MGLitChat -9:19 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman @ShellSly Assume you were happy with it. Were you intending to do that when you started? #mglitchat -9:19 PM May 30th, 2013
LalaleighJ What about starting with a question directed at the reader written in 2nd POV, then switch to 3rd? #Mglitchat -9:19 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Write like you're trying to tell a story to a friend as quickly as you can. #MGLitChat -9:20 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy "Now, for those of you who know anything about blind children, you are aware that they make the very best thieves." Peter Nimble #mglitchat -9:20 PM May 30th, 2013
ShellSly @jodyfeldman Not intentional. :) But the last chapter started heading in the right direction, and I realized I could pull it off. #MGLitChat -9:21 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Ooh, I LOVE that book too. #PeterNimble @JoanneLevy @JonathanAuxier #mglitchat -9:21 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @KristineAsselin I think nailing the first line often comes after writing the whole book and going back to tweak. Find a zinger. #mglitchat -9:21 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Yes, she certainly is! #mglitchat @Mike_Jung @novaren -9:22 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung I'm also partial to "It was his own grandmother who fed Henri-Pierre to the Cabinet of Earths, long ago when he was only four." #mglitchat -9:22 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman @JoanneLevy @aniprof @melanieacrowder @shellsly Been meaning to try it myself. Maybe with this one. Not crazy abt current line 1 #mglitchat -9:22 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Agreed! RT @KristineAsselin I think nailing the first line often comes after writing the whole book .... Find a zinger. #MGLitChat -9:22 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung Which is obviously from THE CABINET OF EARTHS by @annenesbet. #mglitchat -9:22 PM May 30th, 2013
lisabrowndraws "'I am not a pest,' Ramona Quimby told her big sister Beezus" Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary. #mglitchat #firstlines -9:23 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Completely agree. No Stressing. RT @JoanneLevy: nailing the first line comes after writing the whole book & going back to tweak. #mglitchat -9:23 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Tip: First draft is just that, a draft, a dumping of the story so you can see the whole thing. #MGLitChat -9:24 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy My current WIP's first sentence is, "My name is Bea." Not sure THAT's going to stick. Hardly a zinger. #mglitchat -9:24 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin RT @AniProf: Tip: First draft is just that, a draft, a dumping of the story so you can see the whole thing. #MGLitChat -9:24 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung It took me a long time to find the 1st line for GEEKS. For my assorted new WIPs I'm not gonna worry about it until later. #mglitchat -9:24 PM May 30th, 2013
RosanneParry @jodyfeldman #mglitchat I do like the first & last line to bring the story full circle in some way. -9:25 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy Yup. RT @AniProf: Tip: First draft is just that, a draft, a dumping of the story so you can see the whole thing. #mglitchat -9:25 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin @JoanneLevy Beauty is you can always revise, rewrite, modify, & otherwise change the first line when you're done first drafting. #mglitchat -9:25 PM May 30th, 2013
ShellSly Needed to hear this. RT @AniProf: Tip: First draft is just that, a draft, a dumping of the story so you can see the whole thing. #MGLitChat -9:25 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Tip: All books can be rewritten ad nauseum. At some point you need to say enough is enough. #MGLitChat -9:26 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Saying: Art is never done. The artist just gets tired of it. #MGLitChat -9:26 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @KristineAsselin Exactly. Perfection not necessary first (second, fifth) time through. #mglitchat -9:27 PM May 30th, 2013
pamvau RT @AniProf: Write like you're trying to tell a story to a friend as quickly as you can. #MGLitChat -9:27 PM May 30th, 2013
LalaleighJ @RosanneParry I like that idea too. Bringing it back a round to mirror the beginning. I have something like that. #Mglitchat -9:27 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung @RosanneParry @jodyfeldman I didn't mirror the first & last lines of my book, but I did that with the 1st & last paragraphs. #mglitchat -9:27 PM May 30th, 2013
DustHansen What's the topic #mglitchat ? Self loathing and never-ending edits (hold the self loathing)? -9:28 PM May 30th, 2013
AnInspiredMind RT @AniProf: Tip: First draft is just that, a draft, a dumping of the story so you can see the whole thing. #MGLitChat -9:28 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti I also think it's worth noting that I just opened a bunch of my favourite books and found the first lines deliberately tame. #mglitchat -9:29 PM May 30th, 2013
pamvau I did it with my first and last scenes. @mike_jung #Mglitchat -9:29 PM May 30th, 2013
Videosta Genre question- The Kincade of my novel is 6th grade, but the concepts are more 8th and 9th. Am I MG or YA? #mglitchat -9:29 PM May 30th, 2013
coachhays64 @lisabrowndraws I'm usually the reverse, the story is written while the opener incubates. #mglitchat Backward thinking? -9:29 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin I think you can drive yourself crazy fretting over 1st line. Move on and write the book. Then go back and revise. #mglitchat -9:29 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross Haha! RT @DustHansen: What's the topic #mglitchat ? Self loathing and never-ending edits (hold the self loathing)? -9:30 PM May 30th, 2013
LalaleighJ I keep thinking the perfect line will just come to me out of no where. Fortune cookies? #Mglitchat -9:31 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf @KristineAsselin Yes! Get that first draft written as fast as you can. You cannot make a story better unless it exists. #MGLitChat -9:31 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung @KristineAsselin I agree. It's important to get it right, but it's not worth letting the rest of the book dangle for too long. #mglitchat -9:31 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti A docile first line can be a legitimate choice, lulling your expectations for when things turn. #mglitchat -9:31 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @KristineAsselin Agreed. Better to have the big picture and then worry about the first line perfection. #mglitchat -9:31 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman @RosanneParry I do, too, but I'm thinking when arc is more emotional than physical it might work more naturally #mglitchat -9:31 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Tip: Don't worry whether you NEED an outline or not; just write! #MGLitChat -9:31 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross @LalaleighJ It's there, it's just a matter of unearthing it... #perfectfirstline #mglitchat :) -9:32 PM May 30th, 2013
ShellSly @KristineAsselin Good reminder. My internal editor slows me down. #MGLitChat -9:32 PM May 30th, 2013
RosanneParry Claudia knew she could never pull off the old fashioned kind of running away. FTMUFOMBEF by EL Konigsburg #firstlines #mglitchat -9:32 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Death to internal editors! #MGLitChat -9:33 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman Ha! Just looked at my first line...way too many characters to tweet. #mglitchat -9:33 PM May 30th, 2013
matt_janacone RT @JoanneLevy: @KristineAsselin Agreed. Better to have the big picture and then worry about the first line perfection. #mglitchat -9:34 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung @pamvau It is nice to have that feeling of closing the circle, if the story allows for it. #mglitchat -9:34 PM May 30th, 2013
coachhays64 "When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow." #mglitchat -9:34 PM May 30th, 2013
RosanneParry @Mike_Jung @jodyfeldman Yes! I find the echo of the beginning is a big part of what makes a story feel finished at the end. #mglitchat -9:34 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti The first line of One Bloody Thing After Another is "The window in the upstairs hallway is open." Then they eat cereal... #mglitchat -9:35 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti ...Then their mom starts coughing up blood. #mglitchat -9:35 PM May 30th, 2013
Sherry_Foley It was always another day, another dead body—until that body was someone you knew. #mglitchat -9:35 PM May 30th, 2013
DustHansen @mimicross @LalaleighJ I'm pretty sure I'll think of the perfect first line the moment I hold the final printed copy in my hands. #mglitchat -9:35 PM May 30th, 2013
KhaledTalib RT @Sherry_Foley: It was always another day, another dead body—until that body was someone you knew. #mglitchat -9:36 PM May 30th, 2013
Mike_Jung I'm out folks, got some brainstorming to do. Thanks for the chat! #mglitchat -9:36 PM May 30th, 2013
RosanneParry @coachhays64 @lisabrowndraws I had the 1st line of Second Fiddle more than I year before I wrote or even plotted out the book #mglitchat -9:36 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin @Mike_Jung Thanks for joining us! #mglitchat -9:37 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf We are not the books we write. We are writers and our books just happen to appear along the way. #MGLitChat -9:37 PM May 30th, 2013
matt_janacone I'm not much on first lines as I am on premises. #mglitchat -9:37 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross @DustHansen Bahaha! #mglitchat #perfectfirstlines -9:37 PM May 30th, 2013
talhamann RT @Sherry_Foley: It was always another day, another dead body—until that body was someone you knew. #mglitchat -9:38 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman @Sherry_Foley Like that a lot? Whose is it? Yours? #mglitchat -9:38 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy First line of my YA wip: "It was a beautiful, sunny day—a perfect day for his funeral." like it, but not married to it. #mglitchat -9:38 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross @DustHansen All my books are made up of first lines and more first lines... ;) #mglitchat -9:38 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin In #kidlit especially, I think the pressure is on to have a great first line/para/page. Capturing kids' attention #mglitchat -9:38 PM May 30th, 2013
RosanneParry @LalaleighJ Sometimes they do. Thinking about a story for ages w/out getting the voice right at all & then out of the blue...1/2 #mglitchat -9:39 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin @JoanneLevy Nice! Makes me want to read more...which is what it's all about! #mglitchat -9:39 PM May 30th, 2013
Sherry_Foley Yes, and thank you. @jodyfeldman It's the first line of my thriller Switched in Death. Each chapter starts with a fun line. #mglitchat -9:39 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf @KristineAsselin Hmmm, this raises a question. Is there a corrolation between age and how much of a chance you give a new book? #MGLitChat -9:40 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti @JoanneLevy Ooh, you're working on a YA? Neato. #mglitchat -9:40 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Me too. RT @ShellSly: @KristineAsselin Good reminder. My internal editor slows me down. #MGLitChat -9:40 PM May 30th, 2013
RosanneParry @LalaleighJ ..out of the blue this kids says "Gran says I'm 7 devils in 1 pair of shoes." Now that's a voice I can work with. 2/2 #mglitchat -9:40 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @KristineAsselin Thanks! #mglitchat -9:40 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman @Sherry_Foley Wonderful! #mglitchat -9:40 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Prob depends, but I think so. IMO RT @AniProf: Is there a corrolation between age and how much of a chance you give a new book? #MGLitChat -9:41 PM May 30th, 2013
RosanneParry @jodyfeldman Excellent point and you write such awesome action and puzzle-filled plots! I bet it's hard in those stories. #mglitchat -9:41 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @ohmynoti Thanks! And yeah, I am. I write both YA and MG. #mglitchat -9:42 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin My first line: The roar of the engine breaks the early morning silence &I drop the golf club in the middle of my back swing. #YA #mglitchat -9:42 PM May 30th, 2013
Sherry_Foley 1 thing helps me turn off the internal editor is to type notes inline in red and just write on. I go back later and research. #MGLitCHAT -9:42 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf So, first lines become even more important the younger the reader? #MGLitChat -9:42 PM May 30th, 2013
DustHansen @mimicross oh my gosh - I'm right there with you. Just wait 'til we start talking last lines!!! #mglitchat -9:42 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti @RosanneParry I would be instantly sure I was going to finish every word of that book. #mglitchat -9:42 PM May 30th, 2013
ShellSly @Sherry_Foley Good tip! I'll have to try this. #MGLitChat -9:42 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross @KristineAsselin Right?! Younger the person, the better the writing has to b! #mglitchat I say, if they're under 4 ft tie 'em to a chair. ;) -9:42 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy I think so. You have less time to impress. RT @AniProf: So, first lines become even more important the younger the reader? #mglitchat -9:43 PM May 30th, 2013
WriterRoss (Here now, home late, listening, soaking in the chat tub, enjoying the lines and laughs) #mglitchat -9:43 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Potentially. :) RT @AniProf: So, first lines become even more important the younger the reader? #mglitchat -9:43 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti @JoanneLevy Yeah, Small Medium At Large was your debut, right? So much fun! #mglitchat -9:43 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin @aniprof I think adults will give a book more time to get going. #mglitchat -9:44 PM May 30th, 2013
pamvau @KristineAsselin that has potential! #Mglitchat -9:44 PM May 30th, 2013
DustHansen @AniProf I'm sure if you asked #PBLitChat they'd agree. If you asked #YAlitChat - they'd probably take the other side. :) #mgLitChat -9:44 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf RT @KristineAsselin: @aniprof I think adults will give a book more time to get going. #MGLitChat -9:44 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman @RosanneParry I'm thinking, though, it might be possible in Gollywhopper3. I'm e-picking it up on Mon and will seriously consider #mglitchat -9:44 PM May 30th, 2013
DustHansen #mglitchat - have you ever dropped a book because the first line was boring? I sure have. I'm sure kids do it all the time. -9:44 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @ohmynoti Yep, SM@L was my first book pubbed AND my first MG written. I have written lots more YA (that no one wants, apparently) #mglitchat -9:45 PM May 30th, 2013
kithandkinbooks RT @lisabrowndraws: If I don't have a good first line, I can't even begin to write. #mglitchat -9:45 PM May 30th, 2013
Sherry_Foley Think of your 1st line being as important as a handshake. The first impression! You wanna make it a good one. :) #MGLitChat -9:45 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin @pamvau Thanks! #mglitchat...All about the @sportygirlbooks! -9:45 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @ohmynoti And thanks for saying it's fun - it was really fun to write. #mglitchat -9:45 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf A recent first line of mine: "N’Tah clung to the edge of her mother's robes as they moved quickly through the tunnels." #MGLitChat -9:45 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman @roseanneparry Ha! That's *re*-picking #mglitchat -9:45 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin RT @Sherry_Foley: Think of your 1st line as important as a handshake. The first impression! You wanna make it a good one. :) #mglitchat -9:45 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf RT @Sherry_Foley: Think of your 1st line being as important as a handshake. The first impression! #MGLitChat -9:46 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman @DustHansen Yes. You can't give any reason for a kid to put down your book--first lines included. #mglitchat -9:47 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin So how do you start getting the 1st line on paper? Brainstorm? Outline? #mglitchat -9:47 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti I think writing has to be better overall in MG, but I think avid readers at that age have lotsa patience. They take time to read. #mglitchat -9:47 PM May 30th, 2013
DustHansen @Sherry_Foley Bravo! Well said. Nothing worse than a weak, clammy handshake. YUCK! #MGLitChat -9:47 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf A fav of mine are 1st lines that stick you right into the action. #MGLitChat -9:47 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross @WriterRoss The chat tub, lol! #mglitchat -9:47 PM May 30th, 2013
WriterRoss Those opening lines have to make a visual & emotional connection/impact. We don't have time to set it up/show scenery a la film. #mglitchat -9:48 PM May 30th, 2013
Sherry_Foley Each chapter works well to have a zinger first line. You want to lessen the readers chance for a bookmark spot. #MGLitChat -9:48 PM May 30th, 2013
Sherry_Foley @KristineAsselin You write the line that would pull you into a book. :) #MGLitChat -9:48 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin @ohmynoti Good point. The dealbreaker for lousy first lines/pages might be the kids who struggle to read in the first place. #mglitchat -9:48 PM May 30th, 2013
WriterRoss @mimicross Well it is hot out... <g> I think my mind went there. ;> #mglitchat -9:48 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf RT @Sherry_Foley: Each chapter works well to have a zinger first line. ... lessen the readers chance for a bookmark spot. #MGLitChat -9:49 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti @JoanneLevy You have a great MG voice - on my list of books to get my boyfriend's niece down the road. #mglitchat -9:49 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @Sherry_Foley And each chapter's LAST line can be a zinger - makes for a page-turner. #mglitchat -9:49 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman Zinger 1st line, yes, but also cliffhanger chapter endings. I love writing those. @Sherry_Foley #mglitchat -9:49 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin I think you have to have the whole book written AND then go back and write the zinger that starts the whole thing. #mglitchat -9:49 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross @WriterRoss Although if your setting is a big player, that can work... #mglitchat #paintapictureofaplace #establishingshot #film -9:50 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Yes! RT @jodyfeldman: Zinger 1st line, yes, but also cliffhanger chapter endings. I love writing those. @Sherry_Foley #mglitchat -9:50 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy @ohmynoti That's very sweet of you to say. I think it has a lot to do with my persistent immaturity. ;-) #mglitchat -9:50 PM May 30th, 2013
RosanneParry @KristineAsselin I ask my self what is the shortest thing I can say that's true about this character? #my1stlineprompt #mglitchat -9:50 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti @KristineAsselin I'm not talking *lousy* starts. I just think there are plenty of kids who can luxuriate in a slow beginning. #mglitchat -9:50 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf RT @KristineAsselin: ... have the whole book written AND then go back and write the zinger that starts the whole thing. #MGLitChat -9:50 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Interesting! RT @RosanneParry: I ask self what is the shortest thing I can say that's true @ this character? #my1stlineprompt #mglitchat -9:51 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross @WriterRoss Makes sense. Of course as soon as I see YOU, I think of EB, so... lol! #mglitchat #film #writing -9:51 PM May 30th, 2013
RosanneParry @KristineAsselin I also think about whether I want to open w/ voice or setting or plot premise. #my1stlineprompts #mglitchat -9:51 PM May 30th, 2013
Sherry_Foley Getting the bones down first is great and then going back and layering works well for many. @KristineAsselin #mglitchat -9:51 PM May 30th, 2013
AniProf Gotta go. Before I forget, new blog post (http://t.co/bQuaVu0Mch) on verse novels. TTFN! #MGLitChat -9:52 PM May 30th, 2013
WriterRoss @JoanneLevy A to Z. If last line is zinger, should we call first "ainger"? Don't mind me. I didn't sleep last night. Not a wink. #mglitchat -9:52 PM May 30th, 2013
RosanneParry @KristineAsselin I often make the reading level in Ch 1 slightly lower than the end of the book. #mglitchat -9:52 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy 8 minutes left, anyone else want to share first lines? #mglitchat -9:52 PM May 30th, 2013
Sherry_Foley I adore hook endings. Leave em hangin @KristineAsselin @jodyfeldman #MgLitChat -9:52 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin @AniProf Thanks Bill! #mglitchat -9:53 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin RT @Sherry_Foley: I adore hook endings. Leave em hangin @KristineAsselin @jodyfeldman #MgLitChat -9:53 PM May 30th, 2013
pamvau @AniProf thank you! Great insight. #Mglitchat -9:53 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross @KristineAsselin Or sometimes, it's just there. A gift. Like, here you go—first one's free. Then you gotta PAY ;) #mglitchat First Lines. -9:53 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti @JoanneLevy I have MG block, so I'm jealous. Anyway, sometimes some things just take way more practice than seems just. #mglitchat -9:54 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin I'm sure you're right! RT @ohmynoti: I'm not talking *lousy* starts.I think there are kids who can luxuriate in a slow beginning. #mglitchat -9:54 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin RT @mimicross: @KristineAsselin Or sometimes, it's just there. A gift. Like, here you go—first one's free. Then you gotta PAY ;) #mglitchat First Lines. -9:55 PM May 30th, 2013
ShellSly I'm heading out. Thanks for chatting tonight, everyone! Happy writing! #MGLitChat -9:55 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Thanks for joining us! RT @ShellSly: I'm heading out. Thanks for chatting tonight, everyone! Happy writing! #MGLitChat -9:56 PM May 30th, 2013
jodyfeldman Thanks, everyone! Great way to rev up for my next round of revisions. G'night! #mglitchat -9:56 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti Harriet the Spy begins quite slowly. The first chapter has almost nothing to do with anything. And it's brilliant. #mglitchat -9:56 PM May 30th, 2013
Sherry_Foley Happy writing everyone! #MGLitChat -9:56 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Small group, but dedicated! Thanks for sharing your fave first lines and tips! #mglitchat -9:56 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy Yes! Thanks, everyone! RT @KristineAsselin: Small group, but dedicated! Thanks for sharing your fave first lines and tips! #mglitchat -9:57 PM May 30th, 2013
ohmynoti Goodnight, everybody! #mglitchat -9:57 PM May 30th, 2013
pamvau @ohmynoti but the practice is the key! But not just practice- "deep practice." 1 step forward 2 back,analyze,decide, try again #Mglitchat -9:59 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross Thanks @KristineAsselin & everyone else! Lots of laughs & marvelous first lines—so glad I made it. Goodnight! #mglitchat -9:59 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin @mimicross Thank you so much for participating! #mglitchat -9:59 PM May 30th, 2013
JoanneLevy Transcript will be up shortly. Please be patient - newbie at the helm. #mglitchat -9:59 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin RT @JoanneLevy: Transcript will be up shortly. Please be patient - newbie at the helm. #mglitchat -10:00 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross @KristineAsselin Until we meet again...I'll be looking for that perfect first line ;) #mglitchat -10:00 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Sounds like exercise. :) @pamvau @ohmynoti #mglitchat -10:00 PM May 30th, 2013
weighedwords RT @mytweendom: Imagine if celebs were asked "What are you reading?" instead of "What are you wearing?" #mglitchat -10:01 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin @mimicross LOL! Good luck in your neverending search for the perfect first line. #mglitchat -10:01 PM May 30th, 2013
magnacarta13 RT @mytweendom: Imagine if celebs were asked "What are you reading?" instead of "What are you wearing?" #mglitchat -10:02 PM May 30th, 2013
LalaleighJ Night everybody. I'm going to have to go back and read. My kiddo got dropped off. Thanks for the chat! #Mglitchat -10:02 PM May 30th, 2013
mimicross @KristineAsselin TY! Think we should keep each other posted on this one! #mglitchat Keep tweeting those lovely first lines... -10:02 PM May 30th, 2013
MeganInStones @KristineAsselin I'm such a fan of #mglitchat. And mg lit. A sucker for first lines. Fun topic. Thanks! -10:03 PM May 30th, 2013
KristineAsselin Thanks to all for being with us. Next week's chat's topic is "Notes from #BEA". #mglitchat -10:03 PM May 30th, 2013
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