Over on Facebook, my friend Matthew S Armstrong is challenging artists to draw every day for one month. All this month of July! Fill a sketchbook!
Yes!
My youngest is doing this. So far, so good. She shows me each evening.
This month of July I want to–again–write one first line of a new book everyday. Five minutes to do it. Great opening lines. If it takes less than five minutes, I can write line 2, 3, 4. But it can’t take longer. Five minutes to get something new on the page, daily.
Remember Richard Peck? You’re no better than your first line? That opening is a key. The entryway.
As I have done this first line on a new novel before (three minutes to write them then!), I’ve found I need a few moments to think. Think about what I might want this book to be, otherwise I can’t do it. Not for 30 days straight. I don’t often start an idea with a line of writing.
I read somewhere that the opening line of a book should have voice, a little bit of mystery and character in it. Can you do that with each start?
That opening is also a promise of what is to come. It’s exciting!
So join in. With Matthew or me or both of us.
Throwing Up Words 
Thank you, once again, for a great idea. I found my 3×5 cards with the last time you asked us to do this assignment and I was astonished at the interesting things I had written. I will use a notebook this time so it will all be in one place. Thanks for this website and for the excellent content.