The opening lines of a novel are important. It is the author's chance to attract a potential reader (the hook theory). As you would expect, every author has his or her own way for introducing the novel with the hope that it drives the reader to continue. Here is an example wither the writer uses tone, humor and setting to draw you in:
Caroline Fardig, Death before Decaf: A Java Jive Mystery I hate college kids. From their unwashed righteousness to their possibly naive view of the “real world,” they really piss me off. So, on the eve of my thirtieth birthday, what did I do? I went and moved into a craphole apartment building full of the little buggers. Oh, and I took a job at a university area coffee house. So that I could serve them, too. Brilliant idea. Truly brilliant.
My opening of Clean Copy introduces a character, an image, and tension:
Jun Wen, a petite woman in her thirties, had just stepped from her post-breakfast shower and wrapped a towel about herself when the phone rang.
Check out your current novel to see how the author got you.
Murders at Lake Wyrd is still being reviewed by a writers group, but the novel is also in the process of being submitted for publication. How can this be happening at the same time? As with any writing, there is always room for improvement. The editing is never done. The submission process requires patience, allowing the publisher time to evaluate the work. One can always update the text if the book is accepted for publication.
Authors love to see reviews posted. I try to give my take and star rating to all authors I've read. The process is simple on Amazon where the book-searcher is invited to write a review with a headline. Along with a star rating from one to five. If you've read a book, react to it.
Clean Copy has some excellent ratings on Amazon. And there is room for more.