Radio Free Lime - Writer's Block: Awesome Openers

Writer's Block: Awesome Openers

Jul. 1st, 2008 at 2:19 AM

What are some gripping opening lines from films or books, and why do you think they work so well?

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."

No bonus points for anyone who knows me if you guessed that! I don't know if this would hit anyone the way it did me, but as a nine-year-old girl growing up in sweltering DC, the idea that April could be both bright and cold-- and clocks could strike thirteen-- was menacing and wrong. And fascinating.

Comments

( 8 comments — Leave a comment )

principaltogar wrote:

Jul. 1st, 2008 10:03 am (UTC)

Damn! Reading that at nine while living in the shadow of the gummint must have been something. I suppose it could make one more than a little cynical.

Here's mine: "Dost thou like what thou dost see?" Granted, it's the first line from the splash page and not from the book itself, but for a tightly-wound teenager, it was world-shaking. At first it was outrageous and blasphemous but after a few seconds my true nature finally kicked in: it was hilarious! And I've never gone back. I think that's when I became an adult.

Thank you, National Lampoon.

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speedlime wrote:

Jul. 2nd, 2008 03:32 am (UTC)

Hahahaha! I love NatLamp-- I found the issue with the Pamela Des Barres parody in it at a tender young age and it warped me in some essential way. And yet... I am too much of a sad arse to recognize where that quote is from. Is it from Bored of the Rings?

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principaltogar wrote:

Jul. 5th, 2008 02:54 pm (UTC)

It is indeed! And you're not a sad arse.

I didn't know about the Pamela Des Barres parody. Must hunt it down.

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enki4343 wrote:

Jul. 1st, 2008 11:27 pm (UTC)

Did you live there in 1984?

Later...

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speedlime wrote:

Jul. 2nd, 2008 03:25 am (UTC)

Yes. I grew up in DC and I was nine in 1984. My dad handed me the book and said, "Here, I think you're ready to read this."

And, erm, not to be rude, but do I know you? Are you in the PHC?

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enki4343 wrote:

Jul. 2nd, 2008 11:20 am (UTC)

That book left a permanent impression on me. i was 14 when i read it in 1984 (in Detroit).

No you don't know me, i'm not sure i even know me. i just saw your comment on Writer's Block and had to say something. If you get a chance check out 'Question Everything !?!' on my journal (it's my version of writer's block).

Later...

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