WRITING
Introducing the Rainbow Circus
Day 12 Preptober writing prompt challenge
Day 12: Write 5 possible first sentences for your book.
First sentences…
Oh dear lord — the pressure! It’s okay me, it's just 5 POSSIBLE first sentences. Right, we know where it all begins. Chapter one will be from Jack’s POV as he enters the circle in the hope of securing a position.
Let’s start by thinking about what a first sentence should and should not be.
MasterClass give 6 tips for writing a great opening line:
- State your theme.
- Begin with a strange detail.
- Establish your character’s voice.
- Introduce your narrative style.
- Convey the stakes.
- Set the scene.
From: MasterClass, 2021, 6 Tips for Writing the Opening Line of Your Novel, Aug 17, viewed 12 Oct 2021.
Add to this a few points of knowledge gained understandings about first sentences:
- The first sentence encourages your reader to read the second
- Do not start with dialogue — it’s lazy
- Do not get too creative — bring the readers in
Bring it together
Next, let’s use some of the above to gather the details and keywords.
Knot That Hot is an MM romance set in the Rainbow Circus. The first scene is set under the big top where the circus performers (including Mario) are training and preparing for their next show. Jack enters with the intent of joining the circus and fulfilling his final childhood dream. Jack is about rules and routine which contrasts with the idea of him joining the circus but he approaches it with his uniquely structured style. Some that reasoning was explored in yesterday’s challenge:
So, let’s do this thing!
Knot That Hot — Opening Lines
- The smell of manure, a crack of a whip; it was everything I expected until my eyes narrowed on a poorly secured knot.
- Rejection never bothered me, not really, but this was my last shot and I’ll be damned if I am walking away this time.
- I sniffed the air, a familiar acrid burn teasing my senses as I marched with hidden trepidation towards the man who held my future.
- I cursed my sweaty palms as I wiped them on my jeans before holding my right arm out in front of me, straight, confident, and strode across the sandy inner ring.
- A familiar acrid tang of charcoal steadied my pace just as it was quickened by the promise of possibility.
What do you think? Any favorites? What feelings do they invoke? I may, or may not, use one of these. Either way, this has been a great challenge and I encourage you to try it for yourself with your own NaNoWriMo project, WIP, or next project.