Choice Quote by Joan Didion
“What's so hard about that first sentence is that you're stuck with it. Everything else is going to flow out of that sentence. And by the time you've laid down the first two sentences, your options are all gone.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Slouching Towards Bethlehem, Joan Didion, 1968
The opening line sets the tone; once written, the rest follows naturally, limiting later choices.
In simple terms: First sentence determines the rest.
Key Takeaway
Write the opening line deliberately.
Themes
writing
creativity
process
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- drafting a story
- starting a blog post
- crafting a speech
- developing a script
Key Concepts
Narrative structure
flow
decision making
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you test the strength of your opening?
- What strategies help you revise a problematic start?
A Different Perspective
If the first sentence is weak, it can trap the writer into a flawed direction.
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