First Lines

tagged by @athoughtfox and @rthstewart

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag 10 of your favorite authors!

From most to least recent, and keeping the original formatting:

1. oh blue, if only you knew (Among Us)

It’s night shift on the Skeld but no one is sleeping.

2. Against All the Powers Ranged (Narnia)

“I don’t understand,” Susan said after Edmund first explained his intentions. “What would be the point?”

3. a gift for an old friend (Narnia)

Twas the night before Christmas and up on the roof
Sat an elderly woman looking for proof
She’d been waiting quite patiently, bow on her knee:
A gift for the old friend she needed to see.

4. Strange Happenings At the Deacon Brothers’ Bar (12 Monkeys)

The Deacon Brothers’ Bar isn’t busy when the crazy old lady shows up.

5. to perish in fire and water (Narnia)

In the darkest copse of a near-dead forest, a witch slides a stone knife across her palm.

6. if one could drive forever (Supernatural/Narnia)

For a long time, there was nothing.

7. White Lilies (Narnia)

White lilies and bright sunlight and the sweetest water she’s ever tasted and, beneath it all, an insatiable longing…

8. Tidings From Beaversdam (Narnia)

The missive arrived mid-afternoon by way of courier pigeon all the way from Beaversdam.

9. The Hidden Sword (Narnia)

“We should probably bury it all,” said Eustace, looking down on the little pile of Narnian weaponry that had been temporarily stashed in the bushes behind the gym.

10. Roll For Initiative (Narnia)

The lights are low, the air thick with anticipation.

11. The Lion In The Outback (Narnia)

Come my soldiers, my witches, my kin.

12. Scrapbook (Umbrella Academy)

Article clipped from the Toronto Star, written by reporter Edward Hughs:

FATHER OF MODERN EXPLORATION FACES BRAVE NEW WORLD
Reginald Hargreeves becomes Father of Seven in One Fell Swoop

13. by the blood of the stars (Narnia)

There are travellers on the Ettinsmoor.

14. The Great Star Heist (Artemis Fowl)

Excerpt from LEP Human Case File 3012: The Great Star Heist:

No one has ever claimed responsibility for the Great Star Heist. Not officially, at any rate. 

15. Cheers, Girlfriend (The Good Place/Killjoys)

   D    {
   I     SELECT rac.Lucy, void.Janet
   N    FROM RAC.Vessel AS rac
   G    JOIN Void.GoodJanet AS void
   !           ON (rac.AIEntityID = void.AIEntityID);
   !     }

16. seeking horizons (Narnia)

First: A flash of swords, a cry of command, legends turned to flesh.

17. Golden Lights and Perfect Games (Narnia)

Well, I’m right pleased to be meeting you, Jill.

18. The Splendour of the Stars (Narnia)

The sun was hot for Archenland, or so the nobles of King Lune’s court repeatedly claimed.

19. Flashstream (Spider-Man)

💥Flash💥 @theonlyflasht

Hey flash fans, tune in at 4pm ET for my next livestream. You’ve heard rumours but today I tell all: I MET #SPIDERMAN’S BUTLER.

20. Regarding the Likelihood of Dodging Certain Death (Artemis Fowl/Umbrella Academy)

Excerpt from Research Notes obtained from the Fowl servers, dated five months prior to the Kidnapping of Captain Short: 

There are an astonishing amount of stories, myths, fairy tales, etc. involving the irregular passage of time.

IN CONCLUSION: 

Turns out that 9 out of 20 first lines are short excerpts, flashbacks, dreams, or poetry before I dive into the actual real first scene of the piece. This is an insight I now have that I’m not very sure what to do with. Probably write more fics starting in exactly that same kind of way. 

Tagging @syrena-of-the-lake @alexseanchai @klaineharmony @thatgirlnevershutsup @bywayofmemory @owl-song @larmalot

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