My Best Line – Open Book Blog Hop #454

♦Welcome to another edition of the Open Book Blog Hop!♦

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Topic #454

What’s the best line you’ve written recently? Or ever?

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Writers pretty much agonize over every word they put down, as it will be picked apart later by their own doubt, the editor, the wannabe editors… Trying to think of the best line I’ve written, my brain goes back to the hardest ones to write: the opening line. Your first paragraph can make or break your book. At least, that is the thought out there. So, you really want that first sentence to be the best. But, is it the best line? probably not, but that’s a starting point!

The idea that the opening line matters so heavily comes from how we’ve adapted to staying out of the slush pile at traditional publishers for the most possible amount of time. The longer you hold their attention, the more likely you are to get a yes, and move forward. That’s just facts. The same goes in screenwriting. There, the dialogue is what matters, and how you pace, as well. A couple more things to be mindful of while working up your story.

The opener of my books have been a struggle for me, as with anything I write. Meaning, I don’t ever feel they’re good enough. Somewhere along the journey, a best line will crop up, but by the time I am done, I’ve forgotten. Then, I compare myself to the great literature way too much! I forget them in the mix of anxiety. Did the greats pop out the gate being thought of so highly? Not necessarily. Many struggled, just as we do today, for readers and respect. Yet, it’s their quotes we see posted around.

My opening lines have been edited and massaged into shape by both myself and editors. Here’s a gander from my books:

1. Blue Honor: The halcyon morning gilded the quiet countryside of northern Vermont.
2. OP-DEC: From the corner at the top of the stairs, a cherub-faced girl of eleven beheld the lighted parlor of her family home.
3. TTB1, The Shadow Soul: The veil, hiding what is beyond perceived reality, is the border of space and time, called the khajala.
4. TTB2, Burning Down: Pacing the hall outside the rectory office, the young, raven-haired priest called by his surname of Gallo, tried to gather his thoughts and settle his nerves.
5. TTB3, The Lucent Rise: All there was to do was wait to hear.
6. OP-GHO (upcoming work): Carsten sat under the kitchen table with the metal omnibus he’d been given a day or so ago as a welcome present from his grandparents.

These aren’t my most recent writings, however. Most of that is spent on the blog or snappy social media posts these days. Raising my daughter and working full time has made it exceptionally difficult to find time to write screenplays and books. I promise that I will get back on that horse someday. Right now, I’m working hard on building my community and making videos for YouTube. You can find my daily shorts at TikTok. Sometimes I go live to talk writing, so you’ll have to follow me to get those notices.

Back on track. No one touches these lines but me. The economy you’re forced into with some social media sites has taught me a lot about precision. In a recent move from an unfriendly social media site to one with better interaction, I’ve created an account on BlueSky. This has given me a platform to keep cheerleading for other writers and sharing their work with like-minded folks. I come up with some quotes to help those that feel a little lost, maybe down, or just need a boost to get the project out there. There’s limited characters, and I have to choose my words wisely.

These types of sites are a great way to practice the economy of writing. Active voice and precision words are the best tools. What else works is knowing what your point is. In other words: audience/community and impact. Why are you here? You’ll learn to write a best line real quick! I advise spending time doing this.

One thing I determined to do, when I got a little more long in the tooth as a writer, was to be that support that I needed when I started. In actuality, it’s the kind of support we need throughout our writing career. We need folks to share our posts, talk about our work, tell us we’re working hard and doing great. We need to hear that we should keep going. Reviews help and sales help more! So this became my why and my community.

With that decided, I realized that what a writer needs to know most to keep going. Even when we don’t feel like it because it’s not going as we imagined it would, we need to know that sticking to it is the point. This was something I desperately needed to hear back in the day. The reality of this career was dressed up in falsehoods built by hollywood and rose-glasses. It wears on you. The threat of losing your path looms dark.

Take your rest, get to it when you feel better. Never quit. Imagine everything coming to you the minute you throw it all away. Write out of spite, if that works. I’ve done that! There are so many people focused on your failure, it’s such a pleasure to deny them stopping.

There is room enough for all of us. Readers are voracious! They’re clamoring. The problem is reaching them. The algorithms have fought us off for the benefit of larger enterprises that pay them to do this. Keep existing and keep writing to be the salt in their wound. Eventually, their grip is going to fail, and we will be ready to take up the void left. So, stick to it! In the meantime, you need a boost to remind you.

I think these lines are the best thing I’ve written in recent times. The best line is a message of love. It says, I see you! I know you got this, even if you don’t. The excitement is the point. Your excitement for your stories is awesome. Don’t let them tell you that it’s silly. They’re silly for not being supportive. Those types of messages are what build the best line from any book.

The truth is, choosing to put others down, or be toxic is not the way we should do things. Laughing at someone’s dream is cruel. Calling them egotistical for their faith in themselves is harmful to everyone. That’s not a message I want out there associated with my name. While some villains say things that stick with us or are humorous, it is the inspiring words that have the most impact.

The best line type of lines apply in every sector of our life. Whether you’re a writer or a farmer, stick to it. Your dreams matter. Now, get out there, do your best. I see you. I’ve been there. Stick to it. Make this a community based world with more heart. Be the love. That’s what we need and how we all thrive.

Click on the links below to see the responses from other authors on this hop. Their insight is worth your time. Before you go, drop your email in the box on the top left (PC browsing) or scroll down to find it on your phone. This way, the hop arrives every Friday to your inbox and you don’t have to search for us. See you back here next week!

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