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“Can you start a novel with dialogue?”
is a question I’ve been asked three times in the past month, so I thought I’d blog about it!
There are many bits of popular advice floating around the writing community, and “never start a novel with a line of dialogue” is one of them.
Of course, when it comes to writing, when we ask, “Can I do this?”, that’s not really what we mean. We can write a story any way we want to. The Fiction Police won’t bang on our doors in the middle of the night and drag us away.
We what we really mean is, “Is this generally accepted?” Or, “Is this a bad choice for storytelling?”
I’d say it’s fine to start a novel with a line of dialogue.
When I want to know if something is generally accepted, I look to the “Big Five” publishing houses: Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan. After all, these guys are responsible for over 80% of traditionally published books!
There have been many “Big Five” novels in the past few years that begin with a line of dialogue, so I can say with certainty that it is generally accepted.
I think starting with a line of dialogue can be effective storytelling, and clearly, many other book editors agree. If you’re going to start a book with dialogue, though, I think that in most cases, you should make sure that the reader understands a few things very quickly thereafter:
•who is talking?
•who are they talking to?
•what relationship does that person have to the speaker? (friend, butler, next-door neighbor, librarian?)
•what are they talking about?
•where are they?
Obviously, novels that begin with dialogue may not be everyone’s preference. But there is a huge gulf between “not my personal preference” and “rule that every writer should abide by.”
Personally as a reader, I tend to like it when a book begins with a line of dialogue.
9 Novels That Start With Dialogue
See if you’ve heard of any of them! Hint: you have. 🙂 The titles link to the books on Amazon!
01
From Blood and Ash, Jennifer L. Armentrout
This is the first book in a fantasy (or romantasy) series that’s an unstoppable juggernaut. Here’s the opening:
“They found Finley this eve, just outside the Blood Forest, dead.”
I looked up from my cards and across the crimson-painted surface to the three men sitting at the table. I’d chosen this spot for a reason.
02
Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir
I loved this science fiction novel even more than The Martian, and that’s saying something! This one is about a newbie astronaut, alone in the cosmos, trying to save the planet. A computer speaks the first line of dialogue:
“What’s two plus two?”
Something about the question irritates me. I’m tired. I drift back to sleep.
A few minutes pass, and I hear it again.
“What’s two plus two?”
03
Home Before Dark, Riley Sager
The first line of this instant New York Times bestseller is terrific.
“Daddy, you need to check for ghosts.”
I paused in the doorway of my daughter’s bedroom, startled in that way all parents get when their child says something truly confounding.
04
The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang
This massive bestseller in the romance category, starring a heroine on the spectrum, has a delightful first line I’ve shared in several writing workshops.
“I know you hate surprises, Stella. In the interest of communicating our expectations and providing you a reasonable timeline, you should know that we’re ready for grandchildren.”
05
The Shadow of the Gods, John Gwynne
The first book in the Bloodsworn fantasy trilogy opens like this:
“Death is a part of life,” Orka whispered into her son’s ear.
Even though Breca’s arm was drawn back, the ash-spear gripped tight in his small, white-knuckled fist and the spearhead aimed at the reindeer in front of them, she could see the hesitation in his eyes, in the set of his jaw.
06
Don’t Let Her Stay, Nicola Sanders
This 2023 thriller, independently published, was a huge hit.
“Don’t wake up. Please don’t wake up.”
Begging my four-month-old baby to sleep—or stay asleep—has never worked before.
07
The Happy Ever After Playlist, Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez’s beloved novel also kicked things off with a line of dialogue.
“Do you want me to meet you at the cemetery, Sloan?”
Kristen was worried about me.
08
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, Lisa See
This 2023 New York Times bestseller begins like this:
“‘A thousand years in the past, a thousand years in the future—no matter where you live or how rich or poor you are—the four phases of a woman’s life are the same,’ Respectful Lady says.”
09
Icebreaker, Hannah Grace
This romance between a hockey player and a figure skater was a mega-bestseller.
“Again, Anastasia!”
If I hear the words again and Anastasia together in a sentence one more time, it might be the thing that finally tips me over the edge.
Does it bother you when novels start with dialogue?
As I say, it can be a matter of personal preference! Do you know of other novels that start that way? If you’ve written one yourself, feel free to link to it in the comments!
And if you’d like a step-by-step guide for writing a ready-to-publish novel…
Please check out my book Blank Page to Final Draft! It breaks the process down into manageable pieces and makes sure your novel is easy to query or market once you’re finished.
Thanks so much for reading, and have a great rest of your week!
Really helpful blog here. I have to say, as a reader, I’m not fond of dialogue openings in Chapter One: too vague and I feel dumped into the story and suspended. Dialogue in subsequent chapters is fine because we have a sense of the characters and where they are in the story. As a writer, I have started my stories with dialogue but then rewrote adding a location or introduction of character. You make some excellent points!
Hi Paula! Thanks for the kind words. And that makes sense! I know it’s not everyone’s preference, and I see what you’re saying. Thanks for posting!
Really helpful blog! For me, if it jolts my interest and makes me want to know what they’re talking about, then it’s super effective. That opening line from ‘Home Before Dark’ is a great example.
Yeah, the one from Home Before Dark is such a great example—although I’m too chicken to write the book! Haha. Thanks for the kind words, Tom! Hope everything’s going well with you. 🙂
My absolute favorite novel growing up was Little Women, which starts with, “Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.” Absolutely pitch-perfect opening.