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Worst Opening Sentences of 2022

bulwer-lytton.com

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Re: Worst Opening Sentences of 2022

#61

Post by Jackim »

CydeWeys wrote: post #40
quickthrower2 wrote: post #34

They seem bad to me, until this one: > If I wanted to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a dystopian YA’s protagonist, I needed several things: missing or deceased parents (check), a complicated romantic life involving multiple partners and predictable behavior (check), a tough exterior that protected my sensitive inner workings (check), and finally, a life of danger, uncertainty, and constant struggle to survive (ch…

They're supposed to be bad. Terrible, in fact.

GP is aware of that. They are pointing one out that they believe does not belong on the list.

Re: Worst Opening Sentences of 2022

#62

Post by NBJack »

Perhaps my standards are just too low, but some of these are actually quite brilliant. I laughed at this one:

> Realising that his symptoms indicated a virtually undetectable, fast acting neurotoxin, CIA coroner Quinn Abner frantically wrote up the details, lay on the floor and, as a professional courtesy, did his best to draw a chalk outline of himself.

Re: Worst Opening Sentences of 2022

#64

Post by otikik »

senectus1 wrote: post #26
GrayShade wrote: post #3

The link currently points to the 2019 winners, the correct one is: https://www.bulwer-lytton.com/2022

lol Honestly i think the 2019 grand winner is the best still >2019 Grand Prize >Space Fleet Commander Brad Brad sat in silence, surrounded by a slowly dissipating cloud of smoke, maintaining the same forlorn frown that had been fixed upon his face since he’d accidentally destroyed the phenomenon known as time, thirteen inches ago.

Brad Brad. What a lad. It can’t be that bad.

Re: Worst Opening Sentences of 2022

#65

Post by lou1306 »

rippercushions wrote: post #39
lou1306 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wasn't there a similar yearly anthology of bad lines/paragraphs from actual novels/stories? I am pretty sure such a thing existed but couldn't find it anywhere.

You may be thinking of the Bad Sex in Fiction Award. Here's the 2019 winner: "Katsuro moaned as a bulge formed beneath the material of his kimono, a bulge that Miyuki seized, kneaded, massaged, squashed and crushed. With the fondling, Katsuro’s penis and testicles became one single mound that rolled around beneath the grip of her hand. Miyuki felt as though she was manipulating a small monkey that was curling up its…

Yes, that was it! Thank you!

Re: Worst Opening Sentences of 2022

#70

Post by Sharlin »

aaronharnly wrote: post #48
p1necone wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, I'd read the first one. Trashy detective fiction that's kinda self aware sounds great.

ChatGPT gave me this very credible following sentence: "That's it," she wailed, "I'm doomed to a life of misery and despair without my dear Harold and a decent sandwich to keep me going."

This would be a great bad opening sentence as well with some minor modifications.
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