Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone could help. I am just preparing the first 30 pages of my novel for a competition; and I just wanted to know if it is acceptable to use questions as first lines of first Chapters?

eg.Did he climb the mountain? Yes. Did he want to? No.

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Sorry, my name is Glyn

Good question. I don't know the answer, but it's probably a marmite thing - like starting with a line of dialogue. Some are ok with it, others hate it.
As a reader I come across far more short and pithy statements than questions, eg, I didn't set out to kill my sister. I don't think it's strictly necessary to ask the reader a question so as to make them question something and make them curious enough about finding the answer to read on.


- NaomiM

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...a statement can work just as well.

It seems as if it would make more sense, in terms of time, like this:

Had he climbed the mountain? Yes. Had he wanted to? No.

I don't see why you shouldn't start a story with a question - it's a pretty strong way of drawing the reader in.

Did he climb the mountain? Yes. Did he want to? No.

Had he climbed the mountain? Yes. Had he wanted to? No.

Interestingly different effect these two have, though, isn't it. The first is the narrator 'asking' a rhetorical question of the reader, I'd suggest. The second is indirect reported thought, free indirect style - the narrator reporting/reflecting the character's present-tense, first-person version of the thought.

Emma

I don't really see how starting the first chapter with a question is such a bad thing. Anything that gets the readers attention is worthy it, so why not start with a question. I myself started my opening chapter with a question - so don't see any reason why it should be a problem.

Thank you all for you obvious considered replies. They are all very helpful. The first chapter is written in the first person, past tense. Which I should have used in the example really, but I wasn't really asking about grammar, just if it was o.k. to start a Novel with a question.
Thanks again,your thoughts are much appreciated.
Glyn

wholly subjective response:
I really like that opening. Did he... is so direct and conversational, draws me in.

As to whether you can start with a question, of course you can. There may be guidelines or techniques which have proven success but all methods are up for grabs. If they work, they work, regardless of notional rules.

Thanks Cherys. I just wondered if it might stop the judges from reading it, because it wasn't acceptable in a competition. The line I gave was an example, not the actual question I'm using; but it's the same principle only in a First Person Narrative (P.O.V.). I've decided to go ahead and use it now; so here goes.Thanks again everyone who took the time to comment.
Glyn

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We all know how very crucial that first line in the first para is; It can mean the difference between the reader not reading even the first whole page of your work; and if that reader is a judge,publisher or an agent, then...well-oh the pressure! lol