Writing
6 Tips for Writing the Opening Line of Your Novel
Written by the MasterClass staff
Last updated: Nov 12, 2021 • 3 min read
From the initial words of Moby Dick to the opening line of Harry Potter, the first sentence of a novel is a reader’s entry point into an awaiting world. All writers—from legendary novelists like Toni Morrison and Stephen King to new authors self-publishing their work—must understand how to start a novel in a reliable, effective way.