All Good News

People Are Improving Famous Novels By Changing The 2nd Line To 'And Then The Murders Began'

March 23, 2017

The first line of a book is very important. But what about the second?

Marc Laidlaw, an American author or science fiction and horror, offered a suggestion about the second line and the internet has run away with it.

The first line of almost any story can be improved by making sure the second line is, "And then the murders began."

— Marc Laidlaw (@marc_laidlaw) March 3, 2017

I present to you, #LaidlawsRule ...

1.

"Where's Papa going with that axe?" said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table. And then the murders began. #LaidlawsRule pic.twitter.com/9N0NyyqA9b

— Trevor Rines (@TrevorSRines) March 22, 2017

2.

There was an old lady who lived in a shoe. She had so many children, she didn't know what to do. And then the nurders began. #LaidlawsRule

— TJF588 (@TJF588) March 22, 2017

3.

Five little puppies dug a hole under the fence and went for a walk in the wide, wide world. And then the murders began. #LaidlawsRule pic.twitter.com/NVqI4Atp1c

— Cathy Dice (@CathyDice1) March 22, 2017

4.

One evening, after thinking it over some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight. "And then the murders began." #LaidlawsRule pic.twitter.com/D8s6srSwAI

— A.T. Baron (@IOtterBe) March 19, 2017

5.

"Yes, it's red," she said resignedly. And then the murders began. #LaidlawsRule pic.twitter.com/ugltl8wTYm

— Crystal (@Crystalball2525) March 22, 2017

6.

The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. And then the murders began. #LaidlawsRule pic.twitter.com/NL89ViGvZ1

— Chandler Arnold (@Social_CHAN_ge) March 22, 2017

7.

Every Who down in Whoville liked Xmas a lot but the Grinch who lived just north of Whoville did not
And then the murders began#LaidlawsRule pic.twitter.com/XDCcYr7JKv

— Oscar O (@oortiz1988) March 22, 2017

8.

#MyLittlePony...
I used to wonder what friendship could be
Until you all shared its magic with me,
And then the murders began#LaidlawsRule pic.twitter.com/1VMv0HwX2q

— Imperator Courtiosa (@courtcan) March 11, 2017

9.

“I wonder what Piglet is doing," thought Pooh. And then the murders began. https://t.co/ZWBA29tjW9

— Damon Young (@damonayoung) March 3, 2017

10.

Mr & Mrs Dursley, of number 4, Privet Drive, were proud to say they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. And then the murders began. https://t.co/WbbBuyehqU

— Kyle Treasure (@KyleTreasure) March 3, 2017