Creating Strong 'Hook' (in a fiction novel, short story)

If the rejections have been piling up, maybe the culprit is your story's opening. That opening must be compelling--very compelling. Agents and editors have experience with a large segment of the reading public. They know what that readership likes well enough to buy.




Here is an assignment for you. Go to your local public library (You have a library card, don't you!). Bring along a pen and writing pad. Find the young reader section (sometimes called

'children's' or 'teens'). Sign out to read or take to a chair/table to read any TWO of the following titles:



'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' Jeff Kinney

'The Hunger Games' Suzanne Collins

'The Lightning Thief' - from the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series Rick Riordan

'The Revealers' Doug Wilhelm

'Bridge to Terabithia' Katherine Paterson

'The Invention of Hugo Cabret' Brian Selznick



You are particularly interested in the FIRST PAGE of each book you choose. In

your writing pad, try to identify (describe) the devices or strategies used by these authors to draw you into their story. Can't find any? Try using the following short list (add your personal preferences once you get the gist of it):



1. The story starts IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTION, through the use of descriptive passage and/or dialogue. Give an example.



2. A character(s) PERSONALITY is revealed, particularly anxiety-driven, funny, quirky, etc. Can you relate?



3. An ISSUE/PROBLEM/STRESS-CAUSER is being identified by a character(s), often using dialogue or rumination (talking to oneself). There is TENSION present and you feel it. How does this tension affect you?



Start with the above prompts and see how you fare. Good luck!



We will be discussing your notes in the next few posts, and drawing comparisons between these very effective openings and examples that perhaps need a power boost! I am open to questions/comments at any time.



Best writing,

desertdogwriter