Some opening lines in a novel or story are so good, they are deemed unforgettable. "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times" (Charles Dickens in "A Tale of Two Cities") or "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife" (Jane Austin in "Pride and Prejudice" are two of the most famous in classical literature.
But in music, those opening lines or "motives" are equally important. Nearly everybody recognizes the opening notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and will be able to sing them to show that they do. "Da da da dah---------, da da da dah ------."
Opening lines in literature and unforgettable motives in music are the marks of great writers and composers. The first line of a story and the opening motive in a melody both serve to entice the reader to "turn the page" so to speak. In music, the HOOK can be the opening line or it can be the opening line of the refrain. It just needs to be placed at the most important juncture in the music so that it can make the biggest impact. In writing a Picture Book, the first line may be the first and only chance to HOOK the reader into wanting to turn the page.
Sometimes us mere mortals can get lucky in creating a good opening line. Here are some examples from my picture books:
But in music, those opening lines or "motives" are equally important. Nearly everybody recognizes the opening notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and will be able to sing them to show that they do. "Da da da dah---------, da da da dah ------."
Opening lines in literature and unforgettable motives in music are the marks of great writers and composers. The first line of a story and the opening motive in a melody both serve to entice the reader to "turn the page" so to speak. In music, the HOOK can be the opening line or it can be the opening line of the refrain. It just needs to be placed at the most important juncture in the music so that it can make the biggest impact. In writing a Picture Book, the first line may be the first and only chance to HOOK the reader into wanting to turn the page.
Sometimes us mere mortals can get lucky in creating a good opening line. Here are some examples from my picture books:
"Kathryn came in saying, 'I know, let's play dollies'" from Spin Around Dresses and Click Shoes 2020
"Carolyn, you go sit in the corner and think about what you did!" from Time Out for Carolyn 2021
"My dad once told me that there was a time when my aunt was so famous that she would get letters from all over the world labelled just: Janie, BYU, Utah, USA..." from The Girl from No Where Who Went Everywhere 2023
"Did you really work for NASA Grandpa?" from Johnny in the Moon 2024
"Carolyn, you go sit in the corner and think about what you did!" from Time Out for Carolyn 2021
"My dad once told me that there was a time when my aunt was so famous that she would get letters from all over the world labelled just: Janie, BYU, Utah, USA..." from The Girl from No Where Who Went Everywhere 2023
"Did you really work for NASA Grandpa?" from Johnny in the Moon 2024
Illustrations often do more to provide the "HOOK" than just the words, especially in Picture Books for children. But you get the idea of how important the job of these first few words are to introduce the main character, the conflict, the tone of the story and so on.
Now that I am finishing up my 13th Picture Book, I wonder how the first lines of my stories have held up under the criteria mentioned above. I have been learning more about illustration, too. I have learned that another crucial part of writing a page turner is SURPRISE. Page turns have to be carefully planned so that not all is revealed too soon, especially by the art.
In music, the element of surprise is quite important as well. Yes, it is nice when the melody notes flow seamlessly to the only possible next right notes, but planning surprise elements keeps the audience on the edge of their seats in anticipation.
Now that I am finishing up my 13th Picture Book, I wonder how the first lines of my stories have held up under the criteria mentioned above. I have been learning more about illustration, too. I have learned that another crucial part of writing a page turner is SURPRISE. Page turns have to be carefully planned so that not all is revealed too soon, especially by the art.
In music, the element of surprise is quite important as well. Yes, it is nice when the melody notes flow seamlessly to the only possible next right notes, but planning surprise elements keeps the audience on the edge of their seats in anticipation.
I am so appreciative of comments from friends such as "Your stories are such page turners" or "Your songs just get stuck in my brain, I can't help singing them!"
Here are a few of my attempts at unforgettable motives in songs. "Over the Briny Sea" from "The Adventures of Dick Whittington," "A Promise Is a Promise" from "The Frog Prince," and "Good Mornin' Sunshine" from "The Tale of Chicken Licken."
Here are a few of my attempts at unforgettable motives in songs. "Over the Briny Sea" from "The Adventures of Dick Whittington," "A Promise Is a Promise" from "The Frog Prince," and "Good Mornin' Sunshine" from "The Tale of Chicken Licken."
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