You expect far too much of a first sentence. Think of it as analogous to a good country breakfast: what we want is something simple, but nourishing to the imagination.

Meaning of the quote

The quote suggests that we often expect too much from the first sentence of a story. Just like a simple, but tasty country breakfast, the first sentence should provide nourishment for the reader's imagination, without being overly complicated. The author reminds us that the goal is to write something straightforward, yet engaging, rather than trying to make the first sentence too elaborate or impressive.

About Larry McMurtry

Larry McMurtry was an acclaimed American novelist, essayist, and screenwriter who is best known for his works set in the Old West and contemporary Texas. Many of his novels, such as “The Last Picture Show” and “Terms of Endearment,” were adapted into award-winning films, and his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Lonesome Dove” was made into a popular TV miniseries.

More about the author

More quotes from Larry McMurtry

True maturity is only reached when a man realizes he has become a father figure to his girlfriends’ boyfriends – and he accepts it.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)

Members of the Academy are mostly urban people. We are an urban nation. We are not a rural nation. It’s not easy even to get a rural story made.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)

A man that ain’t willin’ to cheat for a poke don’t want it bad enough.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)

Americans don’t want cowboys to be gay.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)

Incompetents invariably make trouble for people other than themselves.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)

Self-parody is the first portent of age.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)

No illusion is more crucial than the illusion that great success and huge money buy you immunity from the common ills of mankind, such as cars that won’t start.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)

You expect far too much of a first sentence. Think of it as analogous to a good country breakfast: what we want is something simple, but nourishing to the imagination.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)

One of the things that Ang brings to all of his projects is his deep sense of being a double exile, an outsider’s outsider.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)

Backward is just not a natural direction for Americans to look – historical ignorance remains a national characteristic.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)

If we know anything about man, it’s that he’s not pacific. The temptation to butcher anyone considered undesirable seems to be a common temptation, not always resisted.

Larry McMurtry

American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter (1936-2021)