Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Valerie Brooks on October 9, 2011 at 4:24pm

Hook the reader.

This has to do with interpretation of the advice. Unfortunately, "hook the reader" ends up morphing into some slam-bam bit of writing or a big ka-pow prologue that might hook the reader, but can be difficult to follow-up. I don't think it's meant to mean something huge unless it's a dead body in a detective novel. But it does have the ring of larger than life. I think I've had to back off on this and realize that subtlety and intrigue, just a whisper, can "hook" as well as showing a character doing something from the middle of the book or even close to the end to make us say "Oh, what the heck? I have to find out what's happened." That's more about plot than character usually. I'm not being very clear, so does anyone have something to add or clarify? Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Kathy Leonard Czepiel on October 10, 2011 at 5:23am

Sounds clear to me! That idea that you have to knock the reader over the head with something big in the first paragraph.

Permalink Reply by Shawn Lamb on October 10, 2011 at 5:28am

A 'hook' doesn't have to be a big, knock the reader over the head, it can be a set-up scene that leaves them wondering. I used both in my books - riveting action or set up with a hint of danger or mystery.  In this day an age of instant gratification with fast downloads, news sound bites and Twitter, an author only has a short amount of time to catch a reader's attention. Some still take reading as a leisurely pastime, but not the majority.

Permalink Reply by Ute Carbone on October 10, 2011 at 7:26am

As a reader, I'm always a little suspicious of the larger than life hook. I need great characters or a great voice to hook me in.   Make me care about what's happening to the characters and I'll follow you to the second chapter.

Permalink Reply by Autumn on October 14, 2011 at 4:54pm

I understood you as well, Valerie and it is a valid point ~ as can be seen by some of the more recent posts on the site. (Does my beginning "hook" the reader enough/should I scrap it all and start with something that has more "force" and so on.)  I'm with, Ute, make me care about the characters and I'm there...well to a point, as I typed that I remembered a book I just finished and frankly I skimmed over a lot of it because it was too repetitive ~ they hated each other, we get it, now move on. (that sort of thing)  Which also ties into the show don't tell discussion because each of these authors (it was written by 3 authors, each taking a different character) pounded home their points again and again instead of relaying it through action/behaviour ~ as I reader I get tired of being "told", if you want me to know something show it, prove it to me - and this is where I think some were going with that argument: there is a place for both - a time to show and a time to tell, the key is knowing the difference. (IMO)

Permalink Reply by Valerie Brooks on October 15, 2011 at 1:36pm

Great points, Autumn. I've been preparing a new workshop to take around and present this Tuesday at Willamette Writers Speaker's Series titled "How to Destroy Your Plot in Ten Easy Lessons." All the lessons are from my personal experience, while using great advice from a multiple of sources. This one has a chapter called "Why You Need to Show and Tell: or why the most common piece of advice given to beginning writers is misleading." The book by Alice LaPlante is THE MAKING OF A STORY; A NORTON GUIDE TO CREATIVE WRITING. I'm a seasoned writer, and I'm devouring this one. It's full of sound, balanced advice and fantastic examples.

And Ute, it's all about relationship, isn't it. Great characters whom you feel compelled to follow.

Permalink Reply by Kathy Leonard Czepiel on October 16, 2011 at 7:27pm

Thanks for the book recommendation, Valerie.

Permalink Reply by Autumn on October 17, 2011 at 4:19pm

I've jotted that one down and will definitely look for it, thanks Valerie. :)

Permalink Reply by Elisabeth Kinsey on October 15, 2011 at 8:18am

I know this thread is from a while ago, but Kathy brought it back to life.  I wanted to share "first opening lines."  I think it's a lively piece.  I think the "hook" is a term we can let go of as long as we have done our job as a writer.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0128pyh/Tim_Keys_Suspended_Se...

Permalink Reply by Kathy Leonard Czepiel on October 16, 2011 at 7:33pm

This looks great but since it's 30 min. long I was going to try to download to my ipod. Any idea how?

Permalink Reply by Elisabeth Kinsey on October 17, 2011 at 3:40am

Pull it over to I tunes first.  If that doesn't work, ugh.  I don't know how b/c I am not an "I" girl.  I just have windows media player.  It's a good one, though.  Just realized I didn't contribute to the true thread's theme.  Ah well.

Permalink Reply by Dana Alexander on October 16, 2011 at 10:34pm

Elisabeth,

 

Love that link!  Too much caffeine too late in the day gave me an opportunity to listen to this entertaining piece!  Thank you!

 

 

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