First sentences (and how to avoid them temporarily)

What is this bird?

First of all, the above bird has nothing to do with my book, except that it exists on earth, as do my characters, though the bird is alive now, and my characters are alive in 1805.  

How is that for a first sentence for a book?  At first I thought it might be good because it sets the time and the place, but a critique partner mentioned it is from the point of view of a narrator.  Since my book is in 1st person, alternating between the protag and the hero, I didn't want to add a third viewpoint from a narrator.

Plus, my sister and I have been arguing about what type of bird it is.  If one has a picture, one ought to have a caption which is not a question.  We've narrowed it down to a sparrow, but we are still arguing over which type of sparrow.  Still, it was easier for me to move forward with my book if I HAD a first sentence, good or bad.  I'd written the first two chapters before I deleted the above picture and that first sentence and began working on a real first sentence.

For days I'd run the first sentence past my co-worker.  She'd shake her head.  I'd change it.  She'd shake her head.  Change.  Shake.  Change.  Shake.

Here is the sentence I think might be the one.  She raised an eyebrow and smiled.

This time when I was almost killed, it wasn't my fault.

What is the time and place of your book, and what is your first line?

Note to thieves:  All first lines appearing on this blog and in the comments section are copyrighted.

Elaine Ash browbeats me to write

I met Elaine Ash on Twitter a couple of months ago. She invited me to do a guest blog on her blog, Ashedit. At that time, the post on her blog was, "I, Crappy Writer" and I mistook it to be the title of her blog. It kind of depressed me, yet still, being invited to write on a blog of that title must mean something, right? If one must be a crappy writer, one can at least be a great crappy writer.

Elaine assured me that was only the name of the post that day, and that her blog is a respected blog. She also mentioned she is a professional editor. While I may have been tempted to offer her a guest post on "I, Crappy Writer," I was not willing to submit a post on a nice, professional editor's blog.

I mean, really.

But Elaine is persistent, confident, and does not take "no" for an answer. All the things you'd want in a professional editor.

Please click here to see my guest post on Ashedit. And please feel free to leave a comment.

Concentrating on Writing

Some days I find it difficult to focus on my writing.

Hobiecat, purring