Which opening line gets your attention more?

by Suzy Stewart Dubot
30th March 2013

I've written a 'flash fiction' story about loneliness. Please tell me which of these two sentences might make you want to read on...

1. There wasn’t a club he could join.

2. It is a very lonely business when you are unique.

Both sentences are in the story but someone told me that she found one more powerful than the other.

Your views will be much appreciated. Thank you.

Replies

Thank you for taking the time to answer. I have kept my story as it was. If you would like to read why he couldn't join a club, I have now published the story (under 500 words) in shared works. It is a 'Flash Fiction' story on the theme of 'Loneliness.'

Profile picture for user suzy.dub_24505
Suzy
Stewart Dubot
270 points
Practical publishing
Short stories
Fiction
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Adventure
Comic
Speculative Fiction
Historical
Romance
Suzy Stewart Dubot
30/03/2013

I agree with, Jennifer.

Profile picture for user Adrian
Adrian
Sroka
19900 points
Ready to publish
Fiction
Historical
Middle Grade (Children's)
Young Adult (YA)
Adventure
Adrian Sroka
30/03/2013

The first one. Because it makes me wonder why. Why can't he join a club? What's the deal with this guy? It's intrigiuing. And intrigue always makes people want to read on.

The second one is too cliched and spells it out too much and too soon. There's no hook compared to the first one.

Profile picture for user pppnl@yahoo.com
Jennifer
Harvey
330 points
Developing your craft
Film, Music, Theatre, TV and Radio
Fiction
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Business, Management and Education
Jennifer Harvey
30/03/2013