AshleaAdams

Brian Stansell started the topic Intriguing Opening Lines (Mystery/Thriller/Suspense) in the forum Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Writers 3 years, 8 months ago

I am curious, for all my fellow Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Writers out there, how do you begin your stories of this type? Are you willing to share some of your personal examples of your opening lines from a WIP that you use to grab a reader’s attention?

Here are a few that I have used in some stories:

1. Lost, alone, cold, wet, tired and no one…[Read more]

Enroll in Our Seven-Day Mindset Challenge Course

Enter your email to begin taking the course. We'll send you a link to begin the mindset course along with emails to help you grow in your writing craft!

You've joined the course! Check your email to watch the first video.

Stop Using Meaningless Character Questionnaires

Knowing your character's favorite ice cream flavor won't help you write engaging protagonists.

Our questionnaire is different. Use it to discover your character's core fears, longings, hopes, and needs.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the character questionnaire in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Want to impact the world for Christ with your writing—without being preachy or cliched?

Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and craft powerful themes by downloading our free worksheet!

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

Take Your Style to the Next Level

The written word matters to God.

Does it matter to you?

Learn how to develop an eloquent, practical, and personal style by downloading our free e-book.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

Every Year, Thousands of Writers Give Up

Don’t be the next.

We understand how exhausting writing can be, so download our free e-book and find inspiration to press on!

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

So You Have Clichés in Your Novel...

Thankfully, we’re here to help!

Enter your email below, and we’ll send you a simple process for smashing clichés.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the cliche worksheet in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

Sign Up for Updates

Enter your email to receive updates on the 2025 Summit, along with emails to help you grow in your writing craft!

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Want to impact the world for Christ with your writing—without being preachy or cliched?

Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and craft powerful themes by downloading our free worksheet!

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

Poetry Isn't Just for Poets

It can also help novelists write better stories!

Get our Harnessing the Power of Poetry e-book to learn how techniques used by skilled poets can enrich your storytelling.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Want to impact the world for Christ with your writing—without being preachy or cliched?

Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and craft powerful themes by downloading our free worksheet!

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

Uncover the Secret to Relatable Characters

Learning how to help readers connect with your story's characters doesn't need to be a mystery.

Get our Evoking Reader Empathy e-book to discover how successful authors build empathy.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

Stop Using Meaningless Character Questionnaires

Knowing your character's favorite ice cream flavor won't help you write engaging protagonists.

Our questionnaire is different. Use it to discover your character's core fears, longings, hopes, and needs.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the character questionnaire in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

Plotting Is Hard

That’s why we created a worksheet that will help you make sure your story hits all the right plot beats.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the plot sheet in one moment...

We will also send you our weekly newsletter and other emails to help you grow as a Christian writer.

Learn What the Bible Says about Engaging Plots

Enter your email to get your guide, along with other resources to help you grow in your writing craft!

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Learn How to Write Christian Themes that Resonate

Enter your email to get the worksheet, along with other resources to help you grow in your writing craft!

AshleaAdams

@ashleaadams

Follow Us

login

Article Categories

You've subscribed! Check your email for confirmation

Enroll in Our Seven-Day Mindset Challenge Course

You've joined the course! Check your email to watch the first video.

Stop Using Meaningless Character Questionnaires

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the character questionnaire in one moment...

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

Take Your Style to the Next Level

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

Every Year, Thousands of Writers Give Up

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

So You Have Clichés in Your Novel...

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the cliche worksheet in one moment...

Sign Up for Updates

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

Poetry Isn't Just for Poets

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

Uncover the Secret to Relatable Characters

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

Stop Using Meaningless Character Questionnaires

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the character questionnaire in one moment...

Plotting Is Hard

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the plot sheet in one moment...

Learn What the Bible Says about Engaging Plots

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Learn How to Write Christian Themes that Resonate

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

Get Free Writing Resources

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Register for the Panel Discussion

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Register for the Panel Discussion

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Pin It on Pinterest