Write for Readers – Hooks That Work
Develop a Relationship Between the Reader and the Characters
Sep 14, 2009
Some editors are willing to read ten, twenty or maybe even a few more pages before they make their decision. However, as editors get busier, they don’t have as much time to spend on the slush pile—or stacks of proposals from published authors—before they mark it with the big “R.”
Hook the Reader
Never has the opening hook been more important than it is in today’s publishing world. The writer needs to instantly grab readers with something that will compel them to turn pages. Start the book or story during a major changing point for the main character or offer a hint of the theme of the story.
Use dialogue or narrative in the main character’s point of view. Or in a suspense story, open in the villain’s point of view, as long as the impact and significance his or her actions will have on the main character are clear. At this point, the readers should start caring about the characters.
Relationship Between the Characters and Reader
Get to know the characters, either through a character interview or by jotting down notes of how they should be perceived. Then introduce them to the readers in bits and pieces, carefully unfolding information as needed. Don’t do a back-story dump. Instead, show the characters through dialogue, gestures and small sections of internal thought.
Character Dialogue and Narrative
Keep the dialogue true to the characters. Use accents and colloquialisms sparingly to prevent bogging down readers as they try to figure out what the people in the story are saying. All dialogue must move the story forward.
Allow time between action scenes and conversations for the characters to reflect and the readers to catch their breath. Find the right balance of dialogue and narrative for that particular type of story. In an action-filled, breakneck-paced story, it’s okay to have shorter, quippy dialogue. In an angst-filled saga, more narrative with internal thought is expected.
Show the Characters to the Readers
Give readers the chance to “live” the adventure, romance or thriller. Avoid telling the readers how a character feels or what she thinks. Use the senses. Readers are intelligent people, so avoid telling after showing. They’ll be able to figure it out if the writing is strong and active.
Allow the Readers to Get into the Skin of the Characters
Most people understand first person (I, me), second person (you) an third person (he, she, him, her, they, them) point of view. When writing fiction, first and third person point of view stories are the easiest to sell. In first person point of view, the entire story is told based on what one character sees, thinks, feels and hears.
Third person point of view can be omniscient (all knowing) or limited (immersed in the head of one character). The best way to engage the readers in third person is to use the limited version, which can often be as intimate as first person.
Whenever possible, stay in the head of the person with the most at stake. If changing the point of view from one person to another, make the transition smooth and clear to the reader.
Good Stories Engage Readers
Writers need to make their readers care about the characters. Accomplish this through skillful hooks, dialogue, narrative and point of view to attract and keep fans.
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