--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Begin your story with a sentence that…" description: "\"Begin your story with a sentence that will immediately grab hold of your listener's ears like a surly nun in a Catholic school.\" — Amy Sedaris" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/amy-sedaris-2847_begin_begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-wi_3222484.jpg" --- # Begin your story with a sentence that will immediately… ![“Begin your story with a sentence that will immediately grab hold of your listener's ears like a surly nun in a Catholic school.” quote by Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/amy-sedaris-2847_begin_begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-wi_3222484.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/amy-sedaris-2847_begin_begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-wi_3222484.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/amy-sedaris-2847_begin_begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-wi_3222484.jpg) > “Begin your story with a sentence that will immediately grab hold of your listener's ears like a surly nun in a Catholic school.” [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hook your audience immediately with a vivid, surprising opening line. **In simple terms:** Start with a striking opening. Key Takeaway Craft a compelling first sentence. Themes storytelling engagement creativity Mood energetic playful Type instructional creative When to use this quote - presentations - podcasts - sales pitches - writing workshops Key Concepts attention grabbing narrative hook Questions to Reflect On - What opening would hook your audience? - How can you balance surprise with relevance? A Different Perspective A forced hook may feel inauthentic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Begin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begin/) [Begin Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begin-story-350992/) [Catholic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic/) [Catholic school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic-school/) [Ears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ears/) [Immediately Grab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immediately-grab-6064635/) [Listeners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listeners/) [Nun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nun/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Sentence Immediately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentence-immediately-6064633/) [Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentences/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Story Sentence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story-sentence-6064634/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) [Surly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surly/) ## Related quotes > [“An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/an-opening-line-should-invite-the-reader-to-begin-the-story-it-should/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [You may do this, I tell you, it is permitted. Begin again the story of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-hirshfield/you-may-do-this-i-tell-you-it-is-permitted-begin-again-the-story-of/) [Jane Hirshfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-hirshfield/) > [“We decided he might like to know about the people and places that belong to him now so he can begin a story all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-karon/we-decided-he-might-like-to-know-about-the-people-and-places-that/) [Jan Karon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-karon/) > [“Hi, my name is Tess Embers. A lot of thoughts are probably running through your mind right now. Who does this person think she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-bode/hi-my-name-is-tess-embers-a-lot-of-thoughts-are-probably-running/) [Maya Bode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-bode/) > [What I am telling you, before you begin my story, is this -- two things: I crave truth. And I lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tana-french/what-i-am-telling-you-before-you-begin-my-story-is-this-two-things-i/) [Tana French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tana-french/) > [And before I'd got to the end of the first paragraph, I'd come up slap bang against a fundamental problem that still troubles me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-pullman/and-before-i-d-got-to-the-end-of-the-first-paragraph-i-d-come-up-slap/) [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) > [When I begin a story at my desk, the window to my back, the path is not there. As I start to walk, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-fox/when-i-begin-a-story-at-my-desk-the-window-to-my-back-the-path-is-not/) [Paula Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-fox/) > [Once you allow yourself to identify with the people in a story, then you might begin to see yourself in that story even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/once-you-allow-yourself-to-identify-with-the-people-in-a-story-then-2/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [“I've confessed to everything and I'd like to be hanged. Now, if you please. I don't mean to be difficult, but I can't bear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franny-billingsley/i-ve-confessed-to-everything-and-i-d-like-to-be-hanged-now-if-you/) [Franny Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franny-billingsley/) > [There are all sorts of theories and ideas about what constitutes a good opening line. It's tricky thing, and tough to talk about because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/there-are-all-sorts-of-theories-and-ideas-about-what-constitutes-a/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Once you allow yourself to identify with the people in a story, then you might begin to see yourself in that story even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/once-you-allow-yourself-to-identify-with-the-people-in-a-story-then/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [You don't choose your themes; they choose you. The meaning of your stories will rise out of your deepest longings, often out of longings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-dane-bauer/you-don-t-choose-your-themes-they-choose-you-the-meaning-of-your/) [Marion Dane Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-dane-bauer/) > [“And then you realize that when you finally meet, when you finally find each other, it doesn’t matter. All the rest of it doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-kauffman/and-then-you-realize-that-when-you-finally-meet-when-you-finally-find/) [Donna Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-kauffman/) > [“You can begin a story in the middle and create confusion by striking out boldly, backward and forward. You can be modern, put aside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunter-grass/you-can-begin-a-story-in-the-middle-and-create-confusion-by-striking/) [Gunter Grass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunter-grass/) > [Know the story before you fall in love with your first sentence. If you don’t know the story before you begin the story, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/know-the-story-before-you-fall-in-love-with-your-first-sentence-if/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) ## More by Amy Sedaris > [Sometimes it's just enough for me to have the idea. I don't need to see it through to the end. When it actually happens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/sometimes-it-s-just-enough-for-me-to-have-the-idea-i-don-t-need-to/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [If you decide on having an alcoholic at your party, make sure it's a large gathering. This way, until the alcoholic begins removing their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/if-you-decide-on-having-an-alcoholic-at-your-party-make-sure-it-s-a/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [When I meet a new person, something has to be a little off for me to consider them beautiful. It could be crooked teeth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/when-i-meet-a-new-person-something-has-to-be-a-little-off-for-me-to/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [Learn more about yourself! Make a self-esteem collage using pictures of other people you wish you were.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/learn-more-about-yourself-make-a-self-esteem-collage-using-pictures/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [More men than women like 'Strangers With Candy'. Pretty girls don't like the show. They don't like to see an ugly lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/more-men-than-women-like-strangers-with-candy-pretty-girls-don-t-like/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [When you hear someone use the word 'meds' instead of the word 'medicine,' chances are they're no stranger to massive doses of mind-altering psychotropic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/when-you-hear-someone-use-the-word-meds-instead-of-the-word-medicine/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [I always find something to keep me busy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/i-always-find-something-to-keep-me-busy/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [I'd rather have a part where you walk into a room and you leave. That's perfect for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/i-d-rather-have-a-part-where-you-walk-into-a-room-and-you-leave-that/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [I am an aging Girl Scout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/i-am-an-aging-girl-scout/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [“In all the land there is only one you, possibly two, but seldom more than sixteen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/in-all-the-land-there-is-only-one-you-possibly-two-but-seldom-more/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [We're all used to seeing pretty people. I want to see real people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/we-re-all-used-to-seeing-pretty-people-i-want-to-see-real-people/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [My mother always said 'Don't bother other people.' I think that's good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/my-mother-always-said-don-t-bother-other-people-i-think-that-s-good/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [I have always wanted a bunny and I'll always have a rabbit the rest of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/i-have-always-wanted-a-bunny-and-i-ll-always-have-a-rabbit-the-rest/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [I feel confident writing on my feet with improv, but it's different when you're sitting down and writing it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/i-feel-confident-writing-on-my-feet-with-improv-but-it-s-different/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [I’ve named everything that I’ve ever owned. Real or inanimate, I have to give it a first and last name. Everything in my apartment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/i-ve-named-everything-that-i-ve-ever-owned-real-or-inanimate-i-have/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) [Explore all 148 Amy Sedaris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) ## More Begin quotes > [If you wanted to put the world to rights, who should you begin with: yourself or others?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/if-you-wanted-to-put-the-world-to-rights-who-should-you-begin-with/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [“Let the motherfucking games begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-mchugh/let-the-motherfucking-games-begin/) [Gail McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-mchugh/) > [“Begin as you mean to go on, and go on as you began, and let the Lord be all in all to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/begin-as-you-mean-to-go-on-and-go-on-as-you-began-and-let-the-lord-be/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [The world will only begin to have faith in you when you do too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/the-world-will-only-begin-to-have-faith-in-you-when-you-do-too/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [The idea with a collection is sort of to begin with a kind of bang.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-christgau/the-idea-with-a-collection-is-sort-of-to-begin-with-a-kind-of-bang/) [Robert Christgau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-christgau/) > [“Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you high. People who are gentle, humble and able always have a great ending no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/humble-yourself-before-the-lord-and-he-will-lift-you-high-people-who/) [israelmore ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Quitters don’t gain what they have started working on; waiters don’t start what they could have gained. What is common there is failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/quitters-don-t-gain-what-they-have-started-working-on-waiters-don-t/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-akin/i-don-t-know-the-future-i-didn-t-come-here-to-tell-you-how-this-is/) [Todd Akin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-akin/) > [The public should begin to understand that there's nothing that comes out of this campaign, or this Obama White House, that they can believe.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/the-public-should-begin-to-understand-that-there-s-nothing-that-comes/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [“A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/a-mother-is-always-the-beginning-she-is-how-things-begin/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [I look forward to the day that a lot of the folks that you all talk about and cover on this network will begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-look-forward-to-the-day-that-a-lot-of-the-folks-that-you-all-talk/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“...I'd be interested in any tips you have for somebody starting out.” “Uh-huh,” I said, looking out the window. I decided, as we drove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-jenkins-reid/i-d-be-interested-in-any-tips-you-have-for-somebody-starting-out-uh/) [Taylor Jenkins Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-jenkins-reid/) > [I'm Irish and always will be, but America has taught me so much. Maybe it's here in the U.S. that we find a healing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fionnula-flanagan/i-m-irish-and-always-will-be-but-america-has-taught-me-so-much-maybe/) [Fionnula Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fionnula-flanagan/) > [Begin where you are. Read every word, every phrase, every paragraph of the mind, as it operates through thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/begin-where-you-are-read-every-word-every-phrase-every-paragraph-of/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) [Browse all 1,199 Begin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begin/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Begin your story with a sentence that will immediately grab hold of your listener's ears like a surly nun in a Catholic school.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Amy Sedaris" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-will-immediately-grab-hold-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Begin" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-will-immediately-grab-hold-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/amy-sedaris-2847_begin_begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-wi_3222484.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/amy-sedaris-2847_begin_begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-wi_3222484.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/amy-sedaris-2847_begin_begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-wi_3222484.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Begin your story with a sentence that will immediately grab hold of your listener's ears like a surly nun in…” — Amy Sedaris", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Amy Sedaris", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Begin your story with a sentence...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-will-immediately-grab-hold-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/begin-your-story-with-a-sentence-that-will-immediately-grab-hold-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```