Sofia Szabo asked Sarah Mlynowski:

Hi Sarah! I hope you are staying safe in this pandemic. First, I'll introduce myself: I just graduated from high school, have read nearly all your YA and books, and am an aspiring author. On account of this, I just started a novel and am stuck on ONE thing: the first line. Which brings me to the case in point: how do you write so easy-going and smooth first lines? Awaiting your advice, Zsofia Szabo

Sarah Mlynowski Hi! I hope you are staying safe, too! Thanks for checking in. I'm glad you like my first lines. My advice: Don't worry about your first line now! Just get that first draft down and then go back and rewrite that first line once you've nailed your tone/character and story. I don't think I've ever gotten the first line--or even the first chapter-- right until after I've finished the book! Good luck!

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