This week’s Friday-Fictioneers prompt from Rochelle felt a touch claustrophobic for me as I prefer some natural light. The picture reminded me of a basement where the writer had been banished until something productive was produced. My theme for this week.
All other stories from the group are available HERE.
The First Sentence
I murdered five people in my basement. Backed into a corner, my victims stumbled to their death unwittingly. Did I feel any compassion for them? Strangely, I worried myself asleep with utter sadness.
Susan was the youngest, a pretty corporate lawyer; I fell in love with the way she cocked her head and gave a smug smile.
Jack! Well! An obnoxious obese taxi driver now rotting in several landfill sites.
I craved the psychological tension, the excitement of twisting my victims’ lives with unresolved conflicts and agonising passions.
My best seller.
If only I can fix my troublesome first sentence.
James McEwan 
A slave to his craft obviously. I liked his sadness
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Write the story and then come back to the first sentence 🙂
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I’m going to convince myself it’s all about the book and nothing else.
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Yes, that was my idea. Thank you.
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When you’ve fixed the first sentence you’ll probably have a problem with the second one … and so on!
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Yep, those readers want so much. Thanks Keith.
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Writers can be a cruel bunch. Why not try: “It was a dark and stormy night when a shot rang out…”?
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i can relate. the first sentence is always the hardest. 🙂
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Not just me then. Thank you.
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A bit of a struggle sometimes to get that first sentence just right.
Nicely done …
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Thank you. I think the first sentence or two contains the magic link between the novel and the reader.
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Haha. You had me there. Great twist, but I can’t let go of the suspicion that it’s not all fiction. 🤨
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Would you like to visit my basement? Thank you.
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You’re most welcome. And thanks for the offer, but perhaps not. 🫣
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I’d say his first sentence is the least of his worries. Especially since it will get (the) attention of law enforcement. Strangely, Stephen King and Neil Gaiman seem to have cast a cloaking spell on the authorities…
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Yes, I see. Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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You pulled me in with the first sentence. I hope I don’t get pulled all the way to the basement.
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Thanks, I think you are safe. For now!
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I like the twist at the end. And I think you nailed the first sentence of your FF story!
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Mmm, yes I think the first sentence of a narrative can draw a reader in . Thank you.
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Dear James,
Ah the writerly dilemma. You captured it well, from the first sentence to the last. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle.
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Hahahaha darned books… nightmare writer’s existence James! Great last line.
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We always get away with murder… Thank you.
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Yikes. Cold chills from the first two words all the way to the end! Good writing!
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Thank you for reading. i hope your basement is safe. (If you have one).
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As far as I know. . . but then, one never knows what has happened in the past. . . .
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