Literary One Liners

Some say the first page of a novel is the most important and then there are others who say it is the first line. If you look back at the first line of what are considered literary classics you will find many great one liners and many not so great ones.

[WpProQuiz 1]

As writers I think it is important to review the works of authors past and present if we want to improve our own writing. Now that you have finished the literary one liners quiz, take ten random books off your book shelf and read only the first line of each book. Are they winning lines? Now take a look at your latest project’s first line? Is the best first line you can create or can you do better?

Does a great first line guarantee a great novel? Not always. But if you take that much time crafting your first line, imagine what you can accomplish with those that follow.

*image credit Poppet with a Camera via flickr