First Paragraph

First lines/paragraphs of a book need to command attention. They are daunting to write and fun to read. Do a search of "novel first lines" or "novel first paragraphs" and the writing will amaze you. How can I write anything that has that much power? I had a fairly pithy opening to my first novel. Arriving at a follow up to "My grandmothers were lesbians..." is going to take some doing.

I offer up the first paragraph of what I have written so far no to get reviews--it is too raw for that, but to hopefully show a progression as this project continues. Is it strong enough for a first paragraph? I don't know. I do know it will be the most revised part of my book.

Her daughter’s lime green eye shadow was unflattering on Melanie and several degrees of inappropriate for the occasion, but that was precisely why she was wearing it. The black dress was expected. The shoes, a practical choice, were wedge heels that would not sink under her weight at the grave site as she stood next to her tall husband. Under the strain of such respectability; she had to wear the lime eye shadow: It was her only nod to the farce that was death on a sunny day. Melanie could cry her green tears behind sunglasses while the minister recited scripture—some passage that came prepackaged for unexpected funerals.

I have probably alienated all the men with my first sentence. Sad, but true, men are not going to gravitate toward my books or any other that is so heavily invested in the female experience. I am setting the tone, setting up the action. A married woman with a daughter of the age to wear neon shadows is attending the funeral of someone who died unexpectedly when times were good. She is a woman who can conform when absolutely necessary, but prefers autonomy.

It will be interesting to see how this first paragraph changes over time.

Word Count : a low 275