Your first line needs to be everything. You know that. But did you know that your last line is, essentially the yang to the first line's ying?
The last thing any reader is going to see of your book, is going to be the last line. It has to satisfy them because there's nothing else after that. It needs to be memorable, special and definitely not cheesy. It needs to match the everything of your first sentence. It needs to balance out.
I mean, if a book were a sandwich, you wouldn't put one slice of baked-from-scratch-bread on top (the first line), mouthwatering-pick-your-favorite-fillings in the middle (your story) and dry-left-out-on-the-counter-too-long-store-bought-bread on the bottom. It just doesn't make sense.
When I'm browsing books in the store I always look at covers first (Yeah, I know that's shallow), then I skim the first lines but, because there's so much pressure on them, usually these are good. Finally, I read the last line. And, honestly, a lot of them suck, or are cheesy, or are interchangeable (they could end any story). That definitely makes me question what's in the middle. It makes me doubt the writer and if someone hasn't promised me the book is worth my time I will never read that book.
It all really comes down to this, I think your last line says more about what kind of writer you are then your first.
Maybe that's just my opinion but, when you look at your manuscript, at the journey your readers will go through, I want you to look at your last line. Was the journey worth it?
The real question is this: how do you want to leave your readers?
Thoughts on the last line? Do you ever read a last line before you start? Are you proud of your last line? Any other thing in writing books that is so important but you think get's overlooked?
I read the last two pages of every book before I read the beginning. That way, if I die before I finish it, I know how it ended. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm a romance girl, so that last line has to make me feel all warm and mushy inside.
Now I need to go back and check on a few of my sandwiches ...
~JD
I never thought about it that way. Huh. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSatisfied but wanting more.
ReplyDeleteThere are supposed to be three sequels...
:-)
I have never read the last line in a book store before (I'm too afraid of spoilers), but I agree that the last line needs a lot of attention. I'm working on revisions of my ending today, so this is perfect!
ReplyDeleteYou hit right where I'm struggling today. My last line had originally echoed a resonant line from earlier in the book, but some CPs didn't think it was quite working--it felt too pat, too heavy-handed. So it's back to the drawing board. I like the skimming idea to stimulate my thinking. I've done that using Amazon's "look inside" to read 20-30 first lines right from my cozy office.
ReplyDeleteAwesome thought! That's definitely something to think about. It's that last line that's either going to make me want to throw the book or love it...and read the next one if there is one :)
ReplyDeleteJust think about this. If the last line is really good, that's what the reader is going to remember. They probably forgot the first line right after they read past it, but the last line will be the last thing in their head for that book.
I never read the last line until I get to it. Last lines are something that I put a lot of thought into with my own writing. With the two books I've written, both of my last lines are lines of dialogue. I feel that they end the book, but also tantalize the reader into wanting more.
ReplyDeleteI don't read the last line, but I do see how it's definitely important. I guess I look at the bigger picture though- the last chapter. If the overall picture of ending, the denouement, gives me satisfaction, then the last particular line doesn't matter as much. It has to be that last idea. The chapter that brings the story to a close, and settles my brain. Or makes me think. It just has to accomplish the feeling the author set out to convey.
ReplyDeleteNever thought to read the last line. I do like the last couple lines in my book, though.
ReplyDeleteYou are not kidding!!! My last lines torment me!
ReplyDeleteMy friend reads the last page of every book-drives me BONKERS! She did that with Hunger Games series and said she knew who lived b/c of that--WHAT?!?!?!
So true! Great points Melissa!!
ReplyDeleteI hate having to use the ends of bread. I'd rather not even have a sandwich.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. I spent a ton of time on my last line (as well as my first.) Hopefull it will make people want to continue on to the second book.
ReplyDeletedemitrialunetta.blogspot.com
I don't read the last line first. But funny about your opinion. So what is the best one you've found? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteI never, ever read the last line because I don't want the surprise ruined. I think I've written a fair few last lines, but I will never match the second fan fiction story I ever wrote:
ReplyDelete"So spank me."
Yup... I peaked early...
I used to read the last line of the books I read all the time; I stopped after I read the ending to The Lord of the Rings and then thought it had less bang than I would have preferred. :P
ReplyDeleteI LOVE my last line - love it! And it always gets two thumbs up from my CPs. Now, if I could get an agent to read it, well... then I'd know for sure. He he he.
ReplyDeleteWow, I have never thought of it this way but I love it! I am going to reread some last lines today and compare them to first lines. Great post! Lots to think about...
ReplyDeleteI never thought of it as the counterbalance to the first line, but I agree that the last line is important, and I agonize over how to end fittingly. Great insight!
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't read last lines, though. Don't want to spoil the ending.
This is a great point and a great post! My first book ends on kind of a cliffhanger. Not sure how the second will end yet :) But I agree, I hate cheesy or overly used ending lines.
ReplyDeleteI'm very proud of my last line right now. That's all I have to say!
ReplyDeleteI've never really thought of the last line! But I have been thinking that if your first line is drop dead amazing and then the rest of your book isn't, there won't be too many happy readers and things just get awkward. I guess it goes the same with the last line, too. ;D
ReplyDeleteExtremely proud of my last line! I hate cheesy last lines that leave it open. But I never read them until I get always through the book. Is it hard being in a crit group and not getting to read our last lines yet? ;-) I'm glad you blogged about this! It's a great topic!
ReplyDeleteI always have to read the whole last chapter before I begin the next one, Melissa :)
ReplyDeleteYou are right. I totally agree with a catching first line and a good last line. I think the last line must be compelling enough to make the reader turn the pages! :)
This is a great analogy! I don't usually read the last lines first though. I know I'm going to be reworking my ending, so I'm going to keep this in mind :)
ReplyDeleteooh, doesn't that spoil the book, reading the last line? I always wait. But, I do pick up a book in the store and read the first few lines which tells me right away if i'll want to read more. So, I do think the first is very important. Never thought about the last line having such a huge impression. So, good point! But, in my opinion, I still think it's the first line that's the most important because when you send your story to agents/editors, they look at those first lines, not the last. I agree, the ending should be satisfying though.
ReplyDeleteHave you noticed that so many writers can't end a book? Two giants that have the problem: Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Ah, well.
ReplyDeleteI, too, love the covers. Our book fair starts Monday and I already bought 2 books. The first has a plain cover; it was the blurb on the back that won me. The second is a picture book. Inside is a rhyming adventure. The artwork is magical. The artwork sold me.
Great post. I have a goodie for you on my blog today!
No, I couldn't bear to read the last line until I got there. I don't want to know what's going to happen. When I buy a book I actually look at the author's name first, (I always buy my fave authors). I'm an easy sale if I know you. For new authors I totally look at the covers, then read the first page, then casually flip a few randoms, then if I like the style I read the blurb and head to the register if all's good.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading and writing.
Denise:)
I never plan it, but I always tend to read the last line of a novel when I'm about halfway through. A few times I'm nearing the end of the draft and I go through this last-line panic, but my characters tend to lead me where they want it to close. I have to say, I loved the last line of Deathly Hallows. Very sweet.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree.
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, don't worry, I'll take pictures! Loads of them!
oh, this is SO true, Mel! So so true. I've been paining over the last line to the book I'm shopping now, and I think it's finally come to me. Whee!!! :D Thanks, girl~ <3
ReplyDeleteI can only hope that my last line is as strong as my opening line. I know what you mean about the last line in some books just not pulling its weight. I am shallow too when it comes to book covers. I covet them first too.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the last line is just as important as the first. I want readers to read my last line, sit back and go "Woah..." I want to leave them with one overarching emotion, whatever that may be.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree with Regina. Apart from the name of the author, the book cover and the title is the next thing that draws me to a book amongst the hundreds on the shelves, so they have to be pretty eye-catching too!
I'm always curious what authors are going to do for the last lines, but I don't put as much store in them as the first line. Endings are tough and I think finding the right note to go out on can be difficult even for a very talented author. I don't know if I'm all that crazy about the last line of the Harry Potter series "All was well" (I know, blasphemy!), but I sure loved the ride.
ReplyDeleteI do admire an awesome last line though. Kurt Vonnegut has some kick butt ones.
The most important lines in your story/book are the first 1000 and the last 1000. Of those, the most important are the first and last.
ReplyDeleteI spend a LOT of time reckoning with those last lines. I want to leave the reader with a ringing sensation in their head, a hard jab-punch-fake-fake-jab-punch combination that they never saw coming.
- Eric