How Do You Write a Good First Line? Master the Art of Captivating Beginnings

Why the First Line Matters More Than You Think

Okay, let's be real for a second: You know that feeling when you're reading something, and the first line either hooks you or sends you scrolling away? Yeah, it’s that important. Whether it's for an article, a novel, or even a social media post, the first line is everything. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve abandoned a book or blog because the first sentence just didn’t grab me. So how do you nail it?

Let’s dive into it—no gimmicks, just some solid advice.

The Essential Elements of a Strong First Line

Make It Intriguing—But Don’t Overdo It

A strong first line should leave your reader thinking, “I need to know more.” The key here is balance. You don’t want to go overboard with complexity, but you also can’t be too vague. Remember that time I was trying to write an intro for a blog post, and I got way too caught up in making it sound "mysterious"? Yeah, it ended up being more confusing than intriguing.

What works? Something that sparks curiosity, like:

• “She had only one hour to live, but she wasn’t afraid.”

• “The last time I saw him, he was running for his life.”

See? Simple, but it gets you thinking, right? That’s what you want.

Hook Them with Emotion

If you can make your reader feel something right off the bat, you’re halfway there. People are emotional creatures, and they respond well to things that pull at their heartstrings or stir up their curiosity. That’s why, whenever I write, I ask myself: “What’s the feeling behind this first line?”

Think of lines like:

• “I never thought I’d be the one to break her heart.”

• “If you’ve ever seen a ghost, you’ll know why I’m running now.”

You don’t need to go overboard with drama, but hitting the right emotional note can make your readers want to keep reading.

How to Break the Rules (When It Works)

Okay, I’ll admit it: Sometimes breaking the rules can be...well, fun. You know, those wild first lines that throw you off balance but in a good way? I’ve had a couple of moments where I just said, “Screw it,” and did something completely unconventional. And guess what? It worked.

One time, a friend of mine—let’s call him Tim—was struggling to write a first line for his latest blog. I told him, “Why not try starting with a question?” And boom, he did, and the post went viral.

For instance:

• “Have you ever wondered if everything you know is wrong?”

• “What if I told you that everything you thought about love was a lie?”

Questions immediately spark curiosity. They push readers to think and need to find out the answer.

Be Bold with Unexpected Beginnings

Sometimes, just being bold can do the trick. I’m talking about starting with a statement that completely defies expectations. For example, “My first love was a cactus” might seem odd, but it pulls you in. You’ll want to know what’s behind that, right?

Another bold approach could be something like:

• “I never meant to kill him, but I’m glad I did.”

• “The world didn’t end with a bang; it ended with a sigh.”

Now, I know what you might be thinking. “But what if it’s too bold?” Well, sure, there’s a risk, but a memorable first line can be risky. Take that chance—because when it works, it really works.

Personal Story: My First Line Fail

I’ll be honest—I’ve had my share of first-line fails. One time, I wrote an opening line for a short story that I thought was genius. It went: “The air smelled like burnt toast.” Ugh, I can’t even tell you how many people hated it. I was honestly pretty devastated.

But here's the thing: I learned from it. It wasn’t the worst first line ever, but it didn’t feel real. It didn’t pull people in the way it should’ve. After some reflection (and a couple of glasses of wine, okay?), I realized that I needed to connect emotionally and provide more context.

So, my new approach was to focus less on being cute or quirky and more on what the character was experiencing. Instead of burnt toast, I might’ve said: “The smoke stung my eyes, but I couldn’t leave the house without him.” It’s still vague, but now it feels real.

The Power of Simplicity

Here’s the thing: not every first line has to be groundbreaking. In fact, the simplest lines often pack the most punch. Think about the famous first line from The Great Gatsby: “In my younger and more vulnerable years, my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.” Simple, right? But it’s rich, introspective, and instantly sets up the tone.

So, don’t feel pressured to get super fancy. Sometimes, less really is more.

Conclusion: The Art of Writing the Perfect First Line

So, how do you write a good first line? It’s all about capturing the reader’s attention, making them feel something, and maybe, just maybe, taking a few risks. But remember—don’t overthink it. Write with intention, but don’t let fear hold you back. If it doesn’t work, try again. Trust me, you’ll get there.

And hey, if you’ve ever struggled with first lines (we all have), just know this: It’s a skill, not a talent. Keep experimenting, and you’ll soon find yourself crafting those attention-grabbing intros like a pro.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.