Beginning With a Bang
Because I think beginnings definitely need to bang. There are many beginnings in books - there are new chapter beginnings, there are scene stealing moments, there are those life-changing moments and the list goes on. All of these moments need to grab the reader, to not let her close the book, earmark the page or otherwise set it down.
I do, however, think the first two beginnings - the first time the reader gets into the Hero's POV and the first time she gets into the Heroine's POV - are two of the most important. So, here are the rules:
Open your WIP document (published or unpublished work, either works). Grab that first paragraph of the first scene either your Hero or Heroine star in and share it in the comments. Wow us! Have fun! I'll go first.
This is the opening of the second scene, Kathleen's POV, from What a Texas Girl Wants:
The earth was
moving. And not in a good way. Kathleen Witte reached out, trying to grab on to something. Anything. But her hands met only with
air.
She shifted, and her shoulder dug into damp sand. Where was she? Her eyes flew open, and she
winced at the bright sunlight.
The beach? What happened to the villa? And her. . .Sweet Mary, Mother of God, what happened
to her clothes?
Wow, I love this! Lessee here...digging in the WIP...okay, I'm cheating. This is the END of the scene, because mine don't start with much bang. Hmmm...
ReplyDelete“Well, damn it.” Carol flinched when the hot liquid hit her legs, swiped ineffectually at the mess, and tried to maneuver the car with an unresponsive steering wheel.
And a tall, lean man with a ponytail rode a bicycle directly into her driver’s door.
Nice!! And endings need to bang, too, Liz - so the reader will start that next chapter!! :) Love this!!
DeleteThat's a good one, Kristi! Yours too, Liz! Love this idea! Here's mine from a WIP titled Taking Chances:
ReplyDeleteSnowflakes turned into sleet, soaking Nora Ashford through her parka. She trudged through knee high snow toward the log cabin nestled in a bed of pine trees. The beauty lost on her, her mind a million miles away, as she patted her leg and called to the black lab jumping and playing in the fresh snow. The dog had shown up, ribs showing and mangy, on her doorstep the day she arrived. She surprised herself by allowing the mutt inside. Even more so by picking up a bag of dog food at the grocery store in Clearwater.
Thanks, Kristi! That was fun!
Love this, Jennifer! So she's a reluctant dog owner - oohh, excited to see what *else* she might become attached to...
DeleteI like this, too!
DeleteHi Kristina! Great idea! Here is the first few lines of Rhianna:
ReplyDeleteThornton, England 1813
The sound of pounding horse hooves brought Mauvreen from her midwife duties, down to the first floor of the hunting lodge. She quickly answered a frantic knock at the door, where she met familiar, anxious eyes.
“Where is she?”
“Upstairs,” Mauvreen said, urging him inside and closing the door behind him.
“I got here as fast as I could from London. How––?”
“She has been thirty-eight hours in labor.”
His hurried breathing stopped. Thirty-eight?
“And?”
Mauvreen shook her head. “Soon. Come with me.”
Oh my gosh - that's excellent, Amanda! My heart dropped when Mauvreen said 38 hours...we know that's not good. Thanks for posting today!
DeleteThank you, Kristina! I loved your sample, too. I can't wait to read What A Texas Girl Wants this weekend! :-D
DeleteFun idea, Kristina (and I love your scene)! Here's my first lines from Collision...
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't the first time a good idea had come back to bite Sienna Wolfe in the ass, but it very likely may be the last. After making a quick sign of the cross, she stepped into the wingless aircraft.
She clicked on the flashlight, its beam slicing through the smoky blackness. It took no time at all to find the pilot in the cramped, ultramodern cockpit. Built like a quarterback, he was intimidating even slumped over the instrument panel. A dark flight suit and mask surrendered no glimpse of skin, making it impossible to tell if he was badly injured. Or worse.
Love this, Berinn!!
DeleteLoved them all! Like Kristi did, this is the beginning of the second scene in Abducted Heart.
ReplyDelete"Lynch. You got a phone call. She says it's an emergency." Zackary Kyle gave Lynch one of those wry smiles that always preceded a punch line, then leaned his six foot, two-inch frame against the kitchen counter and crossed his arms over his chest. "She probably needs you to come over and fix her plumbing."
Too fun!
Bahaha! Love that, Jerri! Thanks for playing along!
DeleteOh, this is fun. Great idea! Here's mine from my WIP titled Fade to Black.
ReplyDeleteOne glance at the black leather boots worn by their new team member guaranteed that nothing Lieutenant Sanchez said could have adequately warned them. The boots stopped just below her knee, still leaving plenty of tanned skin between the top of the folded leather cuff and the barely-there black mini-skirt she wore. Her braided mane of golden blonde hair fell over her shoulder, emphasizing the curves in the lightweight emerald green sweater that fit her like a second skin. But that wasn’t what made Zach’s heart threaten to seize in his chest. That honor went to the vivid green eyes blinking innocently at the men in the room from behind lashes so long he could be watching a commercial for mascara.
Hector cleared his throat and shut the door behind the new arrival. “Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to Officer Carlye Johnston.”
*fans self* have a feeling someone's about to get fired up, Molly!
DeleteWow we write a variety of things! I'm enjoying this. Here's mine from California Sunset.
ReplyDeleteAnnie strode into her boss’ office to answer his summons. Maybe I’m finally going to get a bonus this year! It would be great to be able to sock that money away in David’s college fund.
She grabbed the printouts off Randy’s chair and dropped them to the floor with a thud. “It’s going great, Randy,” she said. “The next piece of the project is nailed down and we’re still on track.”
“Close the door, please,” he said.
Uh oh. I felt her heart drop.
Deleteruh-roh, me, too... Great beginning, Casey!
DeleteWhat a fun meme....can I play?
ReplyDeleteSpring/Summer 2011
The weather forecast said clouds with cool winds, with a small chance of sunny spells: a perfect example of British summer time. I busied myself getting ready - stomach in knots - to see my folks. Half way through brushing my teeth, I recalled brushing them earlier.
“Crap,” I spat and stared at the white gunged, annoyed at how the dreaded, weekly event was disturbing me. “I need to earn cash, quick. I need to sever my ties with them, for good.”
Flo, my best friend in - well, the afterlife – listened dutifully to my weekly rant. She sighed audibly in response. She knew I could never do so completely. They were vile, but they were my parents, after all.
My heart beat quickened unbearably, “No more Sundays eating food like puke and… well, everything else. Won’t it be great, Flo?” I forgot what I was doing, looking around for clues.
“You’re telling me,” Flo agreed, from where her spirit now lived. “But really, what’s the worst that could happen if you just called up and said, ‘Hey you pair of evil freaks, screw you?” Ever the devils advocate, which got awkward as she lived within the realms of my subconscious. Or something like that. I never did get a complete handle on exactly how it worked.
Shah. X
Playing along is encouraged on this blog, Shah! And thanks - great beginning!
DeleteI love this Kristi and now I have so many more books to add to my to be read list.
ReplyDeleteHere is mine from If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery, release date September 2012.
On days like this, Jake questioned if there was a God. He held the broken, lifeless body of the infant girl in his arms, tears running down his face. He didn’t try to hide them. Jake’s emotions reflected in the eyes of everyone. His partner Louie turned away and kicked the chair. Jake knew this horror would live with each of them for the rest of their lives.
Thanks for the opportunity,
Marian
Oh, Marian, what a beginning! I'm a little teary, too.
DeleteThis is a wonderful idea, Kristi. Such talented people here. I love all of them and am adding a bunch of books to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine. From From Fairyproof, releasing in Sept. 2012:
Monique gripped the pen so tightly, her knuckles turned white and her fingers grew cold. She hated starting this new beginning the same old way — with a lie.
Name.
There’d been so many of them in the last six months. Each new start began with a new one, and every new identity came to the same abrupt end just a few weeks later. Dare she hope for a different resolution? Maybe she could find peace here.
She took a deep breath and committed the falsehood — Naomi Sanders — in ink, hoping the form got easier from there.
*falls over* Amazing beginning! Love this one, Constance. Good luck with Fairyproof (and thanks for playing!).
DeleteWhat fun! Love these "beginnings", you ladies rock.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine from One Hit Wonder:
"Oh, holy mother of God! Audrey lifted both hands to her temples and tried to squeeze her head together. It felt like her skull had been opened with a dull handsaw, her brain removed, chopped, and deep-fried."
Love. This. Great beginning, Denyse!
DeleteWow, these are great!
ReplyDeleteThis is actually from an unpublished ms. It doesn't have a title yet. It's the opening in the heroine's POV.
Escalante, Colorado.
Tiny. Beautiful. Remote.
Not the kind of place where women vanished into thin air.
Until now.
In the last two months, a pair of teenagers, a stay-at-home mom and a waitress from the Fly Me to the Moon Saloon all vanished without a trace. Four women with no connection between them as far as anyone could tell.
Jamie English straightened her white Stetson, took a deep breath and pushed open the glass doors leading to the sheriff’s office. As the new sheriff in town, she had a big job to do. One a lot of people thought a young woman couldn’t handle.
Especially one who left town in disgrace.
You *know* I love this book, D'Ann...it has to find a home soon. Has. To.
DeleteWhat a great idea! I don't have anything published, or even on the board to be published, but this is from my WIP...
ReplyDelete“Who—!” Marian fumbled to her feet. She pulled the sheath across the grass and drew the sword.
A tall, lithe man, hair falling in waves to his shoulders, swung down from the limb of a misshapen oak tree to land lightly in front of her. “Who are you? Why are you here?”
Marian eyed the longsword hanging at his side even as she noticed the tip of the bow he had strapped across his back. “The same could be asked of you.”
“I live here. What’s your excuse?” Eyes the color of a foggy morning caught and held her in their depths. His face, with its sharply defined cheekbones and full, almost pouting, lips, was dappled by the fading sunshine.
Love this, Shanti! Thanks for playing along - and good luck finding a publisher!!
DeleteGreat idea and great first scenes. Here's mine from Wicked Paradise:
ReplyDeleteThe last day of Morgan’s life dawned gray and dismal, absurdly appropriate for her imminent death. Ten years ago, her Seer's Sight had foretold her death on this day, and her infernal Sight rarely failed her. She had told no one about the awful prophecy, not even her powerful sorcerer father. At five and twenty today, she was prepared to pass on to the Afterlife.
"Not that I have a bloody choice." With a catch in her throat, Morgan swatted the golden velvet drapery aside. Gripping the cold stone sill, she stared out her sitting room window. Chills seeped into her as the morning sunlight lost its challenge to the thick fog ghosting the courtyard’s scattered structures. The buildings on the hillside were almost invisible.
"Accursed fog!" She thumped a curled hand on her thigh. "Perfect day, perfect death."
That first sentence grabbed me, Erin. Great job!
DeleteKristi - I just LOVE that opening scene from What a Texas Girl Wants. Okay, the whole first chapter. Okay, you got me, the whole book! So much fun!
ReplyDeleteCool twist, asking for the first lines in either POV. Here is the first paragraph in Morgan's POV from INFAMOUS:
Morgan sighed in frustration. Seeing her again was nothing like he had expected. It was worse and better in more ways than he could count. Tonight had started out as an impulse. Somehow he had never been dropped from J.T.’s guest list and he had been sure she would be here. But he had lied to himself about all his reasons for coming and now his penance was standing right here on the balcony with him, acting like she barely remembered his name.
(And full first chapter is now FREE on my website)
So glad you're playing along, Irene, you know I have major love for Jessica and Morgan! Love this opener (and anyone reading, go grab that first chapter - it ROCKS!!).
DeleteNice idea. Here are the opening paragraphs of my tween sci fi novel, "Relocated," which will be available from MuseItUp publishing in July:
ReplyDelete“What do you mean I must undergo a psi exam? The Terran Federation legislates against any use of psi." The speaker, a human woman with wild gray hair, glared at the immigration official.
I gazed at the official. Like most Aleyni, he stood over six feet, slender, with extra wide hands, and thumbs able to bend all the way back. His head appeared more oval than humans, too, and he showed almost no external ears. His skin appeared almost black, like Dad’s and mine, and hers appeared pale. His dark skin provided a welcome spot of color against the general gray of the space port interior. The temperature felt pleasant enough, though; nicely warm instead of the chill of the Terran Federation space station circling above Aleyne.
Maggie!! So glad you're back - LOVE this. Very intriguing, good luck with Relocated!
DeleteWhat a fun game and I love your opening. Here is mine from Through the Lens coming from Crimson in September.
ReplyDelete"The boat pitched forward and once again Mika Walters’s stomach did that revolting tuck- roll-flip thing that had her holding her breath and sweat popping out on her brow. It was in that exact moment she decided that if she were to be sick the best place would be all over her boss’s leather-clad feet."
Ha ha ha! Love this, Kwana - and I've felt that way myself a time or two. Thanks for playing along!
DeleteAwesome !!
Delete~Angi
This is such a great idea. All of the entries make me want to read more!
ReplyDeleteHere's the beginning of the second book in my Highland Talents series, HIGHLAND SEER. I just finished the first draft.
Donal McNabb of Clan Lathan held up his left hand and closed his fingers into a fist. The six men following him reined their mounts to a stop. He glanced at Jamie Lathan and saw him nod. Aye, he heard it, too. The breeze carried banshee shrieking and the rough clatter of horses hooves on rocky ground. Still at a distance, but ahead.
The sounds coming through the trees were unmistakable to men who, between them, had fought too many battles to count. But something was odd. Why didn’t they hear the bright clang of sword on sword? Was the battle ahead already won - or lost?
How did you know I was *sliiiiightly* more than interested in hot Scots? Highlanders make me swoon... great opener Willa - can't wait to see this on the shelves!
DeleteLove Highland books...where are they available?
Delete~Angi
Here is the end of the scene from FAIR PLAY.
ReplyDeleteClutching her top to her chest as a shield, Dani took a step back away from him, not trusting herself to touch him because her body still ached for him. She wanted him with every fiber of her being, yet knew she had to keep her distance. Seeing him staring at her as if he could see into her soul and expose all her secrets, Dani realized he was dangerous and that she’d get burned if she didn’t get away from him. Angry at herself for having no self-control where he was concerned, and at him for controlling her so easily, she lifted her hand to slap his face, but he easily caught it before it reached its destination
Love, Janna. Love, love, love!
DeleteFrom "Beginning Again" my Crimson Romance which will be released on June 4th. The scene is where the heroine, Liz Fairchild, meets the hero, Collins, for the first time.
ReplyDelete...there was nothing sweet about his face. Not one feature was weak or recessive. Not the Roman nose or the sharply chiseled cheekbones and certainly not the strong jawline covered in a salt-and-pepper stubble that made his testosterone level unambiguously evident. Pure black eyebrows and long, dark lashes called attention to deep-set gray eyes half hidden under languorous lids.
When he raked those eyes over her, boldly inspecting her from top to bottom and back up again, she involuntarily shivered at the charge she felt. He must have felt it, too. On the sweep back up to her face, his eyes changed from merely gray to storm-at-sea and he straightened his shoulders and raised his chin as if to make sure he was presenting himself from a good angle.
Dear Lord, he was attractive. Hell, attractive was too weak a word. He was a walking thesaurus of adjectives for “magnetic.” She couldn’t remember the last time she’d paid such careful attention to a man. And she’d never felt the jolt of electricity she experienced when their eyes met. Not only was she not offended by his frank appraisal of her but she was even wishing she’d worn something more flattering than black leggings and an oversize white shirt. When had she last thought about something like that? That was easy—never.
Oh, sigh. Full disclosure - I read an ARC of this book. It's wonderful. Look for it June 4, peeps! Thanks for playing along, Peggy!!
DeleteThanks, Kristina, this is fun!
ReplyDeleteHere's the opening to CLEAR AS DAY, my contemporary romance available now from The Wild Rose Press:
Of course, the more she determined not to think of Nate, the more she did.
“Just perfect.” Kay Browning tipped her Dodgers cap low against the mid-morning glare and kicked into a hard backstroke through the cool water. Blue skies, hot July sun, intense desert landscape—another perfect day at Lake Mohave. Except for the futile if onlys snarled in her mind like fishing line.
Oh, yes, not thinking of someone works wonders, doesn't it? Love this opener, Babette!
DeleteThis is from The Notorious Lady Anne:
ReplyDeleteNicholas Addisontossed back a mouthful of flat champagne and watched the swirling mass of people on the dance floor with a jaded eye. Was thirty minutes too soon to depart from this crush?
Love it, Sharon!! Thanks for playing along!!
DeleteHere is the opening of "The Heart You Own".
ReplyDeleteNew Mexico Territory, 1893
“Why should we sell part ownership of the ranch?” Kara demanded, ready for a battle. "We've done fine. The cattle herds are growing and haven’t the markets been strong? Why sell now?”
“Sweetheart, you don’t need to concern yourself with business decisions. Why don’t you go help with the cattle?” her father said, waving a dismissive hand as he looked down at the papers on his large, oak desk.
She gasped in surprise, stung by his rebuke, unable to believe her ears. “Don’t you dare dismiss me like one of the ranch hands!” She slammed her fist on the desk.
Oh, poor Kara! Such a great opener, Diane, thanks for sharing!
DeleteWhat a great idea, Kristi! Thanks for asking everyone to share. This is from the opening scene of my upcoming release, Rescuing Lacey, when we first get Luke's POV on Lacey:
ReplyDeleteHe didn’t know what he’d been expecting, but this was definitely not it. The name Lacey Sommers, and all it implied, didn’t fit the woman standing in front of him. There was certainly nothing frilly about her. Tall, tanned, and muscular, she couldn’t be accused of being girlie, but neither was she the care-worn jaded photographer he’d envisioned. A knot of desire formed in his stomach.
Niiiiiiice, Rebecca! Thanks for playing along - love this. Love!
DeleteLoving this! What a great way to find new reads :)
ReplyDeleteHere's my first few lines from Surrender to the Roman (April, 2012, Carina Press):
Spring, 106 A.D.
General Marcus Cordovis paced at the head of his legion, his grip tight on the reins of his mount. The sounds of the men readying for battle calmed him, even as they prepared for the last push of this long war.
By the gods, this damn bloody struggle would end today.
Tension straightened his spine as the might of the legion built behind him. Men and horses eased into position, but they would move only on his command. He had been given the responsibility by Caesar himself.
Love this, MK! Such a great opener - and a great book!!
DeleteA fellow "sister" of Rome! Loved this, MK.
DeleteFrom LOVE, ETERNALLY, Book One of the Roman Time Travel Series by Morgan O'Neill (co-authors Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O'Neill Cordes). Here's a gander at our opening, from our Roman hero's POV:
ReplyDeleteLOVE, ETERNALLY
Prologue
Easter Sunday, A.D. 402, Pollentia, Italy
For the first time in his life, he knew fear before battle.
Quintus Pontius Flavus Magnus fought his demons and searched the distance. The Visigoths waited there, with their foul witch.
She rode a white horse at the helm of the barbarian forces, weaving back and forth, exhorting her troops to victory. Clad in a snow-white gown. Silver shield, blinding in the sun. A vision of purity, idolized by her people––yet black of heart, to any Roman.
Randegund, the Witch of Rocesthes, drew rein and pointed skyward. Her king, Alaric, fell back with his men. Her pale-blond hair lifted, snaking the wind. The air hushed, but her hair continued to writhe, and men on both sides gaped, still as stone. The omen of evil was not lost on him, but Magnus saw past the conjurer’s cheap trick. Medusa be damned! He raised his sword.
I'm breathless, Deborah! Thanks for sharing that opener!!
DeleteForgot to add that our novel will be published by Crimson Romance on July 2, 2012! Enjoy and thanks much, Kristina!
DeleteCaught you on Twitter and thought "how fun." Great beginning, Kristina! Here's mine for Intrigue: PROTECTING THEIR CHILD.
ReplyDelete“Your wife is a dead woman.” Jorje Serna, as he left the courtroom a free man, pointed directly at Cord McCrea.
The evil words closed Cord’s throat in a moment of fear. Just a moment that pierced him as fast as the bullet that had broken his back. The ache around the scar was real enough. He recognized it. Fought it. Shoved it aside.
THANKS for the fun!
~Angi
Thanks for playing with us today, Angi! I love this - what a strong open!
DeleteGreat idea, Kristina! You've had some wonderful beginnings here today. Here's my contribution from my soon-to-be released historical from Lyrical, Only Scandal Will Do:
ReplyDelete“Put her back in the carriage, now!” Her assailant snarled the brusque command, sending a shiver of fear through Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam.
An unseen attacker seized and tossed her into the coach. Gagged, hands pinioned behind her back, ankles bound together, she lay trussed like a Christmas goose in a cramped bundle on the hard plank floor of the dim carriage, her diaphanous Grecian costume in ruins. Schemes for escape flashed through her head in a dizzying whirl.
Thanks for the opportunity to share! :)
Love this, Jenna, thanks for sharing!
DeleteGreat idea! Here is an excerpt from my soon to be published, A Place to Rest My Heart:
ReplyDelete“I don’t give a damn what some people think.” He moved a step closer to me, his eyes bore into mine and I caught a whiff of some knee melting cologne. I got the feeling he had something to say, his manner shifting from leering to threatening. But I held fast and stared right back at him. I turned the tables and gave Sean an appraising look, taking in how his worn jeans fit nicely over his long legs, and that his t-shirt fit snug across his chest. I moved forward to stand toe to toe with him. His grin turned cocky, but his eyes still had some heat to them and his voice was soft and direct, “I’m sure you want to hit the road as soon as possible but if you’re hungry, breakfast is this way.” I got the message loud and clear, “Where the hell am I?”
“Is this twenty questions?”
“Am I going to need to ask that many before you tell me where the hell I am and where my clothes are?”
Niiiice, Galen!
Delete