The first line creates an eerie mood. The words 'forgotten town' give a sense of isolation and abandonment. The'strange mist' adds to the mystery and unease. It makes the reader anticipate something unusual or perhaps dangerous is about to happen in this desolate setting.
Well, immediately, this first line makes the mood seem quite ominous. A 'forgotten town' implies that it's a place with a past, perhaps a troubled one, that the outside world has moved on from. The strange mist is a great device to build tension. Mist often obscures vision, both literally and metaphorically in literature. It can represent the unknown, and here, as it begins to seep through the streets, it's like the start of something that will disrupt the (seemingly) quiet and forgotten nature of the town. It makes the reader wonder what secrets the mist might be hiding or what it will bring to this already isolated place.
It creates an instant mood. If it's dark or mysterious, it sets the mood for the whole story.
Very important. It's like the first impression. If it's boring or unclear, the reader might not continue. For instance, a first line that is just a long, convoluted description of a place without any hook is off - putting.
A 'first line novel' could also potentially be a term used in a more niche or experimental writing community. It might mean a novel where the writer spends an inordinate amount of time perfecting the first line, knowing that it will have a major impact on how the reader perceives the whole work. Some writers believe that if the first line is strong, it can carry the momentum of the story forward.
I don't remember exactly, but you could check the book or search it online.
Words related to joy or excitement in the first line can create a positive mood. Such as 'The children ran out into the bright sunshine, laughing'. Here, the mention of 'bright sunshine' and 'laughing' gives a happy mood.
Begin with a strong action. Like 'I had the story, bit by bit, from various people, and, as generally happens in such cases, each time it was a different story.' It starts with an active 'had' which shows the narrator's acquisition of the story. It makes the reader wonder what the story is.
You could try to introduce an intriguing character or a suspenseful situation in the first line. Make the reader curious and want to know more. For example, 'The night she vanished, the town held its breath.'
If a first line sets the mood of the story, it's effective. Take the line 'All children, except one, grow up' from 'Peter Pan'. It creates a sense of the extraordinary right away, as it implies that the one child who doesn't grow up will be the focus of an unusual story. This line also has a touch of melancholy which is part of the overall mood of the story.
To write a good 'first line novel', start with something unexpected. For instance, a startling statement or an unusual situation. This makes the reader curious.
You could begin with a powerful statement that challenges common beliefs. Something like, 'Love is not always a choice; it's a curse.' This makes the reader curious and eager to understand why you say that.