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Challenge First Sentence Challenge (the French literature edition) | Index pruned, more sentences up for grabs

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction and Writing Resource' started by Chyntuck, Oct 7, 2015.

  1. Chyntuck

    Chyntuck Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jul 11, 2014
    Welcome to the French literature edition of the First Sentence Challenge [:D]
    If you have problems getting started on a fic because you can't find the first sentence, this challenge is for you! says the woman who faces the chronic problem of getting stuck on the first sentence.

    How it works:

    I made a list of the first sentences of 25 well-known or lesser-known French novels (in translation of course). Why French? Erm, well, because I couldn't find translations for 25 Greek novels online, and I'd rather not translate myself :p Also, because I really like French literature.

    The sentences are very diverse. They're borrowed from 18th-21st century novels of many different styles, some are first-person, some are third-person, and their length varies from 3 to 23 words.

    Anyway, you know the drill. Pick a number, I'll send you a quote and you write a fic, either SW or NSWFF.

    There is only one rule: your fic must start with the sentence you picked. Other than that, no deadline, no maximum/minimum number of words, no fancy requirements -- also, no prizes, no colours, no nonsense. This is just to kick the muse a bit, or a lot.

    Unless there's an inordinate amount of interest in French literature that I don't know about on the boards, you should be able to pick a second number once you've completed your first entry (or I can add more sentences if necessary).

    As usual, I'll keep an index below. Once your fic is started, just post a link in this thread and I'll add it next to your name.

    *sits back and waits for volunteers*

    UPDATE 17 February 2017: the free numbers below are up for grabs.

    1. whiskers -- [Before the Saga] Another Typical Evening on Nar Shaddaa
    The sentence was: "May I, monsieur, offer my services without running the risk of intruding?" from The Fall by Albert Camus.
    2.
    3. Raissa Baiard -- [Saga - OT] All Our Yesterdays
    The sentence was: was “Who am I?" from Nadja by André Breton
    4.
    5. leiamoody -- [Saga] Crystalline
    The sentence was: "How had they met? By chance, like everyone else." from Jacques the Fatalist by Denis Diderot
    6. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha -- [Star Trek] Deep Serenity in You
    The sentence was: "A strange melancholy pervades me to which I hesitate to give the grave and beautiful name of sorrow." from Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan
    7. Ewok Poet -- [Saga - PT] In My Dreams
    The sentence was: "Our dreams are a second life." from Aurélia by Gérard de Nerval
    8. Mira_Jade
    9. NobodyIX -- [Before - Legends] My Fallen Apprentice
    The sentence was: "I was a foundling, but until I was eight years of age I thought I had a mother, like other children." from Nobody's Boy by Hector Malot
    10. Shira A'dola -- [Saga] Mondo
    The sentence was: "No one really knew where Mondo came from." from Mondo and Other Stories by J. M. G Le Clézio
    11. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha -- [Beyond - Legends] Unique & Tantalizing
    The sentence was: "Convicts' garb is striped pink and white." from The Thief's Journal by Jean Genet
    12. Admiral Volshe -- [Saga] Endgame
    The sentence was: "I have entered upon a performance which is without example, whose accomplishment will have no imitator." from Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
    13. Chyntuck
    14. brodiew
    15. Shira A'dola -- [Saga] "Here's how it started"
    The sentence was: "Here's how it started." from Journey to the End of the Night by Louis-Ferdinand Céline
    16. Sith-I-5 -- [Saga - PT] Get Carter
    The sentence was: "They may be right when they say I'm a coward." from The Insurrectionist by Jules Vallès
    17. Lady_Skywalker87
    18. Findswoman -- [Saga] The Spacer's Song (also in response to the OC Revolution Fall 2015 Challenge)
    The sentence was: "One day, I was already old, in the entrance of a public place a man came up to me." from The Lover by Marguerite Duras
    19. Ewok Poet -- [Saga] -- Before the Fall
    The sentence was: "I was twenty. I will let no one say it is the best time of life." from Aden Arabie by Paul Nizan
    20.
    21. leiamoody -- [Before the Saga] Epiphany (chapter 2)
    The sentence was: "Take your specs off, now," Tortose told Pierrot, "take 'em off, if you want to look as though you work here.", from Pierrot by Raymond Queneau.
    22.
    23. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha -- [Beyond - Legends] Unique & Tantalizing
    The sentence was: "It's over. The beach at Big Sur is empty, and I remain lying on the sand at the very spot where I fell." from Promise at Dawn by Romain Gary
    24. mavjade
    25. earlybird-obi-wan -- [Beyond - Legends] A treasured book found again
    The sentence was "Ursus and Homo were fast friends. Ursus was a man, Homo a wolf." from The Man Who Laughs by Victor Hugo.
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2018
  2. mavjade

    mavjade Former Manager star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Sep 10, 2005
    The muse has been trying to make an appearance, maybe a first sentence will help spur her on!

    I'll take 24 please! :D
     
    Findswoman and Chyntuck like this.
  3. Ewok Poet

    Ewok Poet Force Ghost star 6

    Registered:
    Jul 31, 2014
    7

    Послато са SM-J500FN уз помоћ Тапатока
     
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  4. Lady_Skywalker87

    Lady_Skywalker87 Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Aug 4, 2008
    17 please?
     
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  5. Ewok Poet

    Ewok Poet Force Ghost star 6

    Registered:
    Jul 31, 2014
    EEEK. I picked my number from former _____ and I got a quote about ______. I guess _____ are my life.
     
  6. Findswoman

    Findswoman Fanfic and Pancakes and Waffles Mod (in Pink) star 5 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Feb 27, 2014
    Ooh ooh ooh, I love the sound of this! :D

    May I have no. 18, please?

    EDIT: Chyntuck, would you like someone to choose you one, too?
     
  7. Admiral Volshe

    Admiral Volshe Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Sep 2, 2012
    Can I have 12 please? :)
     
  8. Chyntuck

    Chyntuck Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jul 11, 2014
    Yes please!
     
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  9. Findswoman

    Findswoman Fanfic and Pancakes and Waffles Mod (in Pink) star 5 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Feb 27, 2014
    Ok, I choose 13 for you—exactly in the middle. :)
     
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  10. Ewok Poet

    Ewok Poet Force Ghost star 6

    Registered:
    Jul 31, 2014
    EDIT: Too late. :p
     
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  11. Chyntuck

    Chyntuck Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jul 11, 2014
    Thanks!
     
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  12. Mira_Jade

    Mira_Jade The (FavoriteTM) Fanfic Mod With the Cape star 5 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2004
    Oooh, I'm in! Number eight for me, s’il vous plait! [face_batting]
     
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  13. divapilot

    divapilot Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 30, 2005
    Nombre quatre, s'il vous plait!
     
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  14. Exeter

    Exeter Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Feb 2, 2005
    I'll have a #3 with a side of freedom fries, if you would, please.
     
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  15. NYCitygurl

    NYCitygurl Manager Emeritus star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jul 20, 2002
    This sounds awesome! I'm terrible at following through on challenges like these, but maybe this will motivate me. #2, please!
     
    Chyntuck likes this.
  16. Overboard4aFel

    Overboard4aFel Jedi Knight star 2

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2010
    Can I take #6?
    :)
     
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  17. leiamoody

    leiamoody Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 8, 2005
    Woohoo, old school challenge! #21 if that isn't too much trouble.
     
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  18. Chyntuck

    Chyntuck Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jul 11, 2014
    I think I sent the quotes to everyone who asked for one so far -- please let me know if I forgot you, if I did it wasn't intentional :)
     
  19. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
    Chyntuck - wow, how unique and fascinating :cool: And look at the interest!

    #23 please.
     
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  20. metophlus

    metophlus Jedi Padawan star 2

    Registered:
    Jun 30, 2015
    Sweet sixteen.
     
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  21. Overboard4aFel

    Overboard4aFel Jedi Knight star 2

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2010
    Phew... this one is going to be fun.... I really like, and am going to have to think this one through.
     
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  22. whiskers

    whiskers Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    May 19, 2005
    Roll a die for me, please!

    EDIT: Looks like #1.
     
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  23. leiamoody

    leiamoody Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 8, 2005
    Question: Can your first sentence fic be used as a chapter for a longer story?
     
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  24. metophlus

    metophlus Jedi Padawan star 2

    Registered:
    Jun 30, 2015
    ^ I wondered that today. I kinda hope so.
     
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  25. Chyntuck

    Chyntuck Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jul 11, 2014
    Mais bien sûr! As long as you start with the sentence, you can do whatever you want :)