I’m revising the opening chapter of my novel and struggling with whether to begin with a scene that jumps right into the action, or one that gives insights into the plot and the personalities of two of the main characters. I’ve repeatedly read that we have to hook a reader with the opening sentence or paragraph. While I agree with that sentiment, I’m not sure how to apply it to my story.
Readers have different tastes, and though they may like the same genre, they may not be hooked by the same things. I’ve been researching hooks to help me resolve this dilemma and I found some useful tips.
For a hook to be effective, it should do at least one of the following:
1. appeal to the readers’ emotions
2. raise questions about what will happen
3. reveal something that isn’t anticipated
4. indicate that something is about to change
How do we accomplish this? Perhaps by starting the story at the point where a change is taking place. Maybe the main character is facing a major crisis, an unexpected encounter, or a difficult decision. Reveal enough about the situation to make readers curious, and withhold enough to make them read on for the answer to the questions the hook raises.
People want to read about interesting characters doing something interesting, not wade through a boring description or explanation of the back story. If the opening introduces something unique happening, or about to happen, chances are you have an appealing hook. Then you just have to worry about keeping them hooked through the rest of the story…
Here are a couple of sites that offer useful tips on hooks:
http://www.sandrakischuk.com/toolbox/hook.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4556500_write-hook-fiction.html
Edit October 25, 2009: Here’s another excellent site I found which explains the importance of an opening hook, and how it must be supported by what happens later in the story: http://www.fmwriters.com/Visionback/Issue27/writinghooks.htm
Edit September 23, 2010: I like the explanation of the difference between using a ”cold opening” and ”in media res” that I found at http://beingabetterwriter.blogspot.com/2010/09/post-19-building-better-opening.html
.
Do you generally like to start a story in the middle of the action, or prefer to get to know the characters a little before jumping into the main conflict?
Regarding your last comment, I think you can do both–jump the reader into a conflict that lets him get a feel for who the character is. The conflict doesn’t have to be related to the main plot line; it can be one of a few other subplots that has suffered another little crisis. Or it can be a prologue from a previous point in time that lets the reader see an issue the main plot will revolves around, while letting the reader catch a glimpse of your character’s fears/weaknesses.
For me, I always try to start out with a hook and a conflict. Without the conflict and the character, there is no story, IMO.
Good post, btw.
Hi, Stephen. I’ve been considering a prologue. I know that some people have commented on the forums that prologues aren’t effective, or at least not recommended, but I see them a lot in the kinds of books I like to read. It might be a way for me to introduce a major element of the story right away without having to go into a whole lot of explanation.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Carol
I think the cautionary approach to prologues stems from the barrage of new writers that attempt to use it as a crutch. When used properly and with skill, I see nothing wrong with using the technique. As vade55 mentions, there are lots of books opening with a prologue. Some work better than others. Perhaps is isn’t the technique which is at fault, but the tendency of new writers to hide behind the prologue as a quick fix to the lack of an opening hook.
The prologue is a useful tool, but when it is employed by an inexperienced writer it becomes the fatal flaw of a work.
I am reminded of artists who throw paint at a canvas with the intention of imitating Pollack. Just because a master did it, doesn’t mean anyone can imitate it and ask for payment.
There is something to be said for earning your kudos.
Ravenne
You make some good points, Ravenne. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I think a prologue should either set the tone, provide essential backstory, or show something happening concurrent with the opening scenes. It shouldn’t take the place of a hook for Chapter 1.
Carol
[...] 6, 2009 by vade55 Back in May I wrote about the importance of opening a story with a strong hook . Today I received a book to review for the Thomas Nelson program that hooked me in the very first [...]
[...] I’ve posted on the importance of an opening hook before. You may want to look at my post and the links I included for more information on hooks: http://thewritingplace.wordpress.com/2009/05/02/writing-an-opening-hook/ [...]
[...] 18, 2010 by Carol Benedict Tricia Sutton wrote an interesting post about opening hooks a few days ago. She wrote down the first sentence out of 10 books, and asked which ones interested [...]
[...] someone decides to take a look at our work, we need to hook their interest and then hold on to it. We can start with a great opening, but to keep readers [...]
[...] pages. However, most scenes follow a pattern similar to the typical story arc, beginning with a hook, building conflict or tension in the middle, and ending with a change in time/place, or a [...]