The Evolution of a First Line

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I've just updated my website to tell the story behind the story of my first novel Thicker than Blood. From inception to acceptance, here's the whole shibang in all it's details.

Part of what I share is the evolution of the first line of the novel. Here it is:

From the story written at age 15:
Christy Thomas worked at Robert Kuller Real Estate in Billings, Montana.
Um, can we say boring?

1st draft at age 19:
Christy Thomas didn’t see the red lights until they were directly behind her, flashing madly.
I think the lights were rabid.

2nd draft:
She pulled off the highway, her arms and fingers tense with fear.
This was my melodramatic phase.

3rd draft:
Christy didn’t see the cop until he was tailing her.
I was on the right track with this one, I think.

Manuscript submitted to Operation First Novel contest in 2004:
Christy wished the cop would just shoot her.
Apparently I took too seriously the advice to begin with a bang.

Manuscript submitted to Operation First Novel contest in 2008:
Christy didn’t see the cop until his red lights spun in her rearview mirror.
Eventually I saw the error of my ways and went back to this.

Published first line:
Christy Williams didn’t see the cop until his red lights flashed in her rearview mirror.

Read the full "Story Behind the Story" here.

Favorite First Lines

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I was inspired by Rachelle Gardner over at her Rants and Ramblings blog to think about the first lines of novels. How important are first lines? Which ones have grabbed me as a reader?

It's an interesting subject. I believe first lines are very important. They're like fishhooks. If they aren't sharp and baited you might not catch a fish. So here's a sampling of some of my favorites from books sitting on my shelves:

"She ran, tree limbs and brambles scratching, grabbing, tripping, and slapping her as if they were bony hands, reaching for her out of the darkness."
--The Oath by Frank Peretti

"Valkerie woke up screaming."
--Oxygen by Randy Ingermanson & John B. Olson

"The pickup had been tailing me for at least the last thirty miles."
--On the Run by Lorena McCourtney

"Josee found the canister while seeking firewood in the thicket."
--Dark to Mortal Eyes by Eric Wilson

"Someone said to me that day, 'It's hotter than the eyes of hell out here.'"
--When the Day of Evil Comes by Melanie Wells

"The dead man's mother lives on Castlewood Street, in a battered gray house guarded by a mean echo of 'No Trespassing' signs."
--The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello

And here's a recent favorite from a book that won't be published until October:

"Even in high school I didn't mind sleeping on the ground."
--Forsaken by James David Jordan

Your turn! Post your favorite lines, and maybe why you like them, in the comments. I'd love to hear your thoughts.