WC Newsletter #106 - The Hook

Writers' Circle Newsletter

Issue #106: December 22, 2003

(To read back issues of the Writers’ Circle Newsletter, see "WC Newsletter Back Issues" .)

The Hook - Snag and pull your reader to the edge of their seats.

You’ve done a spell check, you’ve tightened your work and you’ve tried to “show” not “tell”, so what’s missing?

The hook.

Good hooks will compel the reader to keep reading by filling them with curiosity and forming questions in their mind.

Time is a precious commodity. No one wants to waste it on something boring. It doesn’t matter that the story gets really good on page 231, because not many people are going to last that long.

Not all hooks are at the beginning. Some hooks end chapters and are almost as important. Use a hook to entice the reader into turning those pages.

There are different ways to create a hook and different kinds of hooks for non-fiction and for fiction. Here are a few articles that explain some of them:


http://www.cataromance.com/articles/art012.shtml
http://www.gullibletravel.tripod.com/hooks.htm
http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/maplewoods/writeplace/writingintros.html


Have you seen how many books are for sale? For every book that gets published hundreds and even thousands get tossed in the “slush pile”. We can tilt the odds in our favor by perfecting our hook.

Next week’s newsletter will be brought to you by some 4 day-old fruitcake and the wonderfully witty esprit .

Give a warm welcome to our newest members!

Dale Arthur
Redbird on brief hiatus

Featured Work From Members:

ALL FEATURED ITEMS UTILIZE A GOOD HOOK (ie: I wanted to keep reading!)

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Family Secret  [13+] A family tradition holds a tale from the Dark side. by Starr* Rathburn

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They Might Have Been Twins  [13+] Little Jen was surely the perfect companion... by Jessiebelle™

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Vertigo  [13+] When he woke up, he had no idea why people were screaming. by Reannon

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Again, ALL FEATURED ITEMS UTILIZE A GOOD HOOK (ie: I wanted to keep reading!)

Featured Work From Non-Members:

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Cuttings  [ASR] A struggle to survive… by kristofer

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He Promised!  [E] Hearing these words, her body became lifeless and her head fell by waterbaby

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In the City  [E] Alone in the city by Joy

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Writing Prompt:

Practice writing sentences that you think are hooks. Then look over them. Which inspire you to write more? Which would make you want to read further?

An online hook prompt:

http://cataromance.com/workshops/dialogue3.shtml

Recommended Reading, Groups and Forums:

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You are invited to submit suggestions to the Writers' Circle editors. To submit an item for consideration in the WC newsletter:

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WC Newsletter Feedback and Submissions  [E] WC newsletter submission, a cheer or jeer, or just want to join the group? Find it here! by Red Writing Hood

All comments about this and any WC newsletter are welcome!

Tell your friends about our newsletter! They can sign up through this link. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends.

641406

WC Newsletter Feedback and Submissions  [E] WC newsletter submission, a cheer or jeer, or just want to join the group? Find it here! by Red Writing Hood

Issue #106
12/22/2003
Edited by: Red Writing Hood