Captivating Introduction Quotes

Pacing has become more important than ever, largely because of other media. I've always tried to start my stories out with a bang, something that will hook their attention.

How many times have you opened a book, read the first few sentences and made a snap decision about whether to buy it? When it's your book that's coming under this casual-but-critical scrutiny, you want the reader to be instantly hooked. The way to accomplish this is to create compelling opening sentences.

But there's one thing I'm sure about. An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.

The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible.

The opening lines of a book are so important. You really need to somehow charm your reader. If you can't get her attention in the first pages, you may have lost her. There has to be an ambience.

The lead either forges an instant connection with the reader, or the package fails.

Sometimes a writer just needs a hook.

Don't forget that the only two things people read in a story are the first and last sentences. Give them blood in the eye on the first one.

the announcement that you are going to tell a good story (and the chuckle that precedes it) is always a dangerous opening.

Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama needs an arresting opening.