More About The First Line

Years ago, several of us in my critique group entered The First Line contests on a regular basis. Although we weren't accepted then (we all were beginner writers), we enjoyed hearing the different themes that emerged from the same line. Plus they were stories we wouldn't have written had it not been for the contest prompt. One of my entries was a story I changed and polished many times, and submitted to several other magazines and competitions. A few years later, it won a first place award in a conference short story contest.

Here is a quote from the editor, David LaBounty:


"The purpose of The First Line is to jump start the imagination--to help writers break through the block that is the blank page. Each issue contains short stories that stem from a common first line; it also provides a forum for discussing favorite first lines in literature. The First Line is an exercise in creativity for writers and a chance for readers to see how many different directions we can take when we start from the same place."

The first line for stories due May 1st is: Rachel's first trip to England didn't go as planned.

You have time to write, polish, and enter. Go for it. "See how many different directions we can take when we start from the same place".