I love first lines. They either grab me or they don’t. And if they grab me, I might just be sold on the whole story. I can think of a number of books that have sold me on first lines. Can you?

Speaking of first lines, let’s give you a teaser for my debut release, The Surrender of a Lady coming October 2010: “What do you mean, you’ll work this out? You’ve gambled me away! I’m your wife, for heaven’s sake!”

I have a habit of starting in the middle of the scene and with dialogue. Not sure why. Just always made the most sense with me. Mind you, the book I’m working on now starts in the head of my lovely hero. More about him another time.

Do you want the first line to be enough to make you wonder what’s next? Can you guess how a story is going to unfold, or what the theme might be by an opening line (or paragraph)? First lines are so important for setting the tone and mood that sometimes writers labor over them for months (sometimes even with the book is done).

Do you like the opening lines most? Or cherish the final lines of the book? Do you prefer an author who starts a story with narrative or dialogue? In the middle of a scene or at the beginning of a scene? Where do you other writers start your opening scenes?