I saw this article about the 100 Best Closing Lines from Books on the Twittersphere today and I loved it! As someone who used to always read the last page before starting a book (though I’m recently reformed of that habit), I prefer the last lines to the first lines. It’s the last line the you read over again as you breath that satisfactory sigh when you finish a great book. I never go back to the first line. For me, it’s not where the journey begins but where it takes you that counts. That’s what really sticks with you. I can’t choose my favorite but I really like The Great Gatsby’s “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” and Gone With The Wind’s “After all, tomorrow is another day.”-which I think is the most iconic.

http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/the-best-100-closing-lines-from-books#

If you are the opposite and love the way a book can capture you from the first line, then you are in luck. The same folks have a list of the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books.  I guess I would pick A Tale of Two Cities as having the most iconic first line: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” I mean, who doesn’t know that(even if they don’t know what book it comes from)?

http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/the-best-100-opening-lines-from-books#

Now I have read quite a few of these but both lists remind me how much more great reading I have in front of me. It also makes me think, is there too much importance placed on the opening and end lines? I pictures writers staring at the blank computer screen in front of them as a bead of sweat slides down their brow. Their hands shake as they type the first line then instantly delete it in disgust. Nothing will ever be good enough for them.

 I say just write the damn line and move on. If you have a great story, the first or last line will not ruin it-unless they are really really awful, but I would hope that your editor or a good friend would at least let you know about it before you publish. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Some of the best opening lines are just good because they set you up for a great story-that’s what counts.

Enjoy the lists! Let me know what your favorite is or if you think a great line is missing.