Interesting tips about good writing. I agree what you say the first sentence should be interesting, and should instantly grab your attention and want you to read it.
I enjoyed the video. I want to improve my writing skills. I've just returned from two months of hiking on the Camino de Santiago de Compostella, and I want to improve my writing skills so that I can write about my experience.
My favourite opening line, I can't remember where I read it or even heard where it was from, but my favourite opening line is: 'The last man on earth is sitting alone in his room, when suddenly there is a knock at the door!' Its just so brilliant and it opens to literal door to any genre, anyone may wish to explore. It's amazing.
Oh wow. I've never would've thought to read the first line in a book. I always read the back. I will start doing this from now on. Thanks for sharing this tip.
Top man JFM thank you. After the car spun three times in the air and landed six feet from Gordon Athol's table, he supped the last of his Americano, got up, and walked towards the subway. Dont know if its ok to post this here. A potential opening line i wrote yesterday. 🙏
This was the first You Tube video that ever taught me something in less than 5 minutes. It's a good thing I was looking for a horrid political video because when I signed into You Tube the first thing that popped up was your Bad Writing video. I have to write a blog for my company and now I know why most of the blogs there are boring with a capital B. Bad first sentences. I am going to explore your teachings more. Definitely. But now, back to searching for that horrid political You Tube Video.
Your video made me want to learn more from you about writing! I never understood why some first sentences really grab me and others leave me flat. I was also inspired to read more of "Mothers and Other Strangers" because the first sentences were so compelling. I just checked it out from the library! Thank you! I look forward to more from you.
With a background in formal/scientific writing, my biggest struggle is to avoid boring/factual writing that isn't compelling for readers. In fact, the first book that I wrote I struggled to not insert references (yes, it was that bad). Needless to say, I've improved "slightly" since then... but I still have a long way to go. Thanks for this video.
It's interesting, because the ghost writer probably wasn't even compelled to make a good book for Clinton -- because of the subject's fame, there is the luxury of knowing people will read the book no matter how uninspired :/
I have added my email address to your site several times to download your 15 ways to write better and I still have not received it. There seems to be a glitch and there is no way to reach out to you but here.
The pretentious tone of this video is such a turn off. Your opinion is valid and I support your right to express it, but perhaps try doing so with a little humility. Next time maybe consider comparing works of similar genre, as fiction writers can certainly take liberties non-fiction autobiographical authors cannot.
Just write. Write badly. Then write better. In her book, Seven Drafts, Allison Willaims calls draft one the Vomit Draft. Just get it OUT of you and you'll begin to feel better.
@@HowToWriteBetter Yes, from Bird by bird. Great book. Lamott is a hoot. I quoted her paraphrase of Madeleine L'Engle in my memoir: "I am all the ages I've ever been." When you write about your earliest memories you really start to feel it.
Perhaps the first line of Bill Clinton's memoir is intended to be boring, to communicate his humble and unextraordinary beginnings. The reader already knows that he becomes president and so knows there is more to the story. Yes, if a reader read that line without knowing the author of the book, they might instantly lose interest, but in this case they do know the author, which is why they picked the book.
For more writing tips, get our free book, 15 Ways to Write Better, at howtowritebetter.org.
"Bad writing only communicates. Good writing gives us an answer and makes us ask more questions."
this hits hard
"I was born on the outskirts of hope..." Memorable!
I've always picked the books by the synopsis on the back. I'm gonna try the first line test.
Now I wanna read the other book!! 😄😄
I look forward to getting to a book store and reading some first lines.
Me too!
nobody does this
The 2nd book is way more vulnerable and authentic.
So true Josh! I want to sit down and keep gazing at the picture a great first sentence paints. (Patreon supporter)
Currently reading As a Decade Fades and thoroughly enjoying it.
Your writing makes me want to "read" more. I'm currently listening to one of your audio books. 🙂 Thank you for sharing the free tips! ❤️
Interesting tips about good writing. I agree what you say the first sentence should be interesting, and should instantly grab your attention and want you to read it.
Thank you for this!
Points well taken. I'm still at 3:13 on your video. Stopped. Went to Amazon and ordered Mothers and Other Strangers...........now back to your video.
We do that with greeting cards, will now start this at the book store. What fun!
Love watching all your videos
I enjoyed the video. I want to improve my writing skills. I've just returned from two months of hiking on the Camino de Santiago de Compostella, and I want to improve my writing skills so that I can write about my experience.
Awesome, JFM! Tell me more!
Calculus books definitely give me emotion.
Dread.
My favourite opening line, I can't remember where I read it or even heard where it was from, but my favourite opening line is:
'The last man on earth is sitting alone in his room, when suddenly there is a knock at the door!'
Its just so brilliant and it opens to literal door to any genre, anyone may wish to explore. It's amazing.
Thank you!
Thank you for your generosity. I'm excited to write better.
Gooood info! Thank you 🙏🏼
What a great teaching in this video!
Nice video!
Scratching my head. Seems time to rewrite some of my opening first lines!
Great examples JFM. Love the start of this series!
Awesome video! Thanks, Josh! 👍
Oh wow. I've never would've thought to read the first line in a book. I always read the back. I will start doing this from now on. Thanks for sharing this tip.
Top man JFM thank you.
After the car spun three times in the air and landed six feet from Gordon Athol's table, he supped the last of his Americano, got up, and walked towards the subway.
Dont know if its ok to post this here. A potential opening line i wrote yesterday.
🙏
What a great video, Joshua! It compels me to explore that first sentence of a book!
What a great explanation, motivation, and encouragement toward great writing! I can see showing this to my children as they develop in their writing!
Loved every bit of this.
This was the first You Tube video that ever taught me something in less than 5 minutes. It's a good thing I was looking for a horrid political video because when I signed into You Tube the first thing that popped up was your Bad Writing video. I have to write a blog for my company and now I know why most of the blogs there are boring with a capital B. Bad first sentences. I am going to explore your teachings more. Definitely. But now, back to searching for that horrid political You Tube Video.
Your video made me want to learn more from you about writing! I never understood why some first sentences really grab me and others leave me flat. I was also inspired to read more of "Mothers and Other Strangers" because the first sentences were so compelling. I just checked it out from the library! Thank you! I look forward to more from you.
Simple, yet powerful tip.
Can’t wait to put into practice!
Thanks, JFM 👏🏽.
I will apply this when I get back to writing my story and I'm going to download this book. Thanks Joshua.
Thanks creating this video and sharing your insights and tips. A great exercise or rather habit for me to start, the reading of first lines.
That was as phenomenal 👏
Excellent example.
With a background in formal/scientific writing, my biggest struggle is to avoid boring/factual writing that isn't compelling for readers. In fact, the first book that I wrote I struggled to not insert references (yes, it was that bad). Needless to say, I've improved "slightly" since then... but I still have a long way to go. Thanks for this video.
You are so right!! Can you recommend some more authors of fiction books? Thank you!!!
The question is how to get from bad to good. That’s the challenge.
I totally agree. Bill's first line doesn't really touch me.
I'm a student of How to Write Better. It helped me tremendously and was worth the investment.
It's interesting, because the ghost writer probably wasn't even compelled to make a good book for Clinton -- because of the subject's fame, there is the luxury of knowing people will read the book no matter how uninspired :/
The best writing comes from the heart not the head
Bad writing usually holds me back from publishing
From now on, I’ll try to read only those books that have great first lines.
I have added my email address to your site several times to download your 15 ways to write better and I still have not received it. There seems to be a glitch and there is no way to reach out to you but here.
Email questions@howtowritebetter.org and we'll send it to you.
starter like
thumbs up
The pretentious tone of this video is such a turn off. Your opinion is valid and I support your right to express it, but perhaps try doing so with a little humility. Next time maybe consider comparing works of similar genre, as fiction writers can certainly take liberties non-fiction autobiographical authors cannot.
Just write. Write badly. Then write better. In her book, Seven Drafts, Allison Willaims calls draft one the Vomit Draft. Just get it OUT of you and you'll begin to feel better.
Indeed! Anne Lamott calls it the "Shitty First Draft," which is what we tell our students to write.
@@HowToWriteBetter Yes, from Bird by bird. Great book.
Lamott is a hoot. I quoted her paraphrase of Madeleine L'Engle in my memoir: "I am all the ages I've ever been." When you write about your earliest memories you really start to feel it.
Perhaps the first line of Bill Clinton's memoir is intended to be boring, to communicate his humble and unextraordinary beginnings. The reader already knows that he becomes president and so knows there is more to the story. Yes, if a reader read that line without knowing the author of the book, they might instantly lose interest, but in this case they do know the author, which is why they picked the book.
Like it
The Cliton title is rather narcissistic isnt it? In addition to his face plastered all over the cover.....
Bill should have started his book with
"My first taste of power came when the wretched stench of lifeless bodies filled my airways"
Thank you!