Student challenge: Starting Stories

The opening sentences of a lot of famous books have become immortal. They set the tone and make the reader curious. However, the second and third sentences are also crucial. The Challenge Starting Stories dares you to think about the beginning of recent novels for ten days.

The challenge

During the Boekenweek (the Dutch Book Week, from 12 March until 23 March) we are organizing a 10-day challenge for every UG student, during which you get to know recent novels. By participating in the challenge, you can step into the shoes of the writer. In which direction will you take the story?

Each day will be centered around one novel (alternating between Dutch and English books). You can enter a contest in which you are given the first sentence of the novel and have to come up with a second and third sentence in the same style. This way, you can write your own beginning to the novel of the day. Every day a winner will be drawn among the submissions and will win the book of the day. You can participate every day, but also just once.

Join in!

• The “Book of the Day” and the first sentence can be found on this page every day, but also physically in a display case in the UB, together with another work from the same author.
• Send your answer via the Google Form that you can find underneath the book of the day on this website.
• The next day, we will announce the winner and the winning sentences on this page.

Looking for some inspiration what to read next? UG Students from various backgrounds tell you about their favourite book.

From 12 March onward, the ‘book of the day’ and its starting sentence will appear on this page. You are very welcome to join in!