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By that, I mean what hooks your attention when you start reading a book? What compels you to turn pages and read on, dive head first into a story? Action on page one? A teaser of some tension or incident to come? A compelling character? Something that is happening or about to happen? Or, maybe an opening line snags your interest. What pulls you into the story, whether you are reading it or writing it?
In my opinion, a good hook often plunges a protagonists into trouble and changes his world—right out of the starting gate. I love novels that give me a sense of something that is happening or about to happen. If this is ominous, the hook is around my neck and tugging. Also, if a character is in a disturbing situation and is about to take action, I am interested. This doesn’t have to be a tornado blowing through the protagonist’s life on page one. A small event such as a telephone call can grab me, depending on the call and the character’s reaction to it.
I recently finished Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. It begins with a plane crash where teen beauty queen contestants are the only survivors. I was hooked.
The opening line of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman immediately snagged me: “There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.” And then the next paragraph: “The knife had done almost everything it was brought to that house to do, and both the blade and the handle were wet.” Gasp! Cancel all appointments—I must read on.
Here is the beginning of a more quiet novel, The Underneath by Kathi Appelt: “There is nothing lonelier than a cat who has been loved, at least for a while, and then abandoned on the side of the road.” Not long after this, the reader learns that this kitty is expecting kittens. Where are the tissues? I’m in.
As writers and readers, we know that the hook at the beginning of a story is very important. So, what grabs you? Has an especially sharp hook snagged you recently?
* Also, a HUGE thank you to MG Higgins at http://mghiggins.blogspot.com for the “Appreciated Follower Award.” I am most grateful both for the award and her fabulous blog.
I just finished reading "The Book of One Hundred Truths" by Julie Schumacher. The fact that the title character harbored a secret kept me reading, because the secret was revealed little by little throughout the story. I loved that!
ReplyDeleteI do like a little bit of mystery at the beginning of a book. The most recent "hook" book I can recall is a book called Time Traveler's Never Die by Jack McDevitt. The book opens with the funeral of a time traveler. Obviously, I had to keep reading, and was glad I did!
ReplyDeleteGosh, this is a great question! When I'm reading, I tend to go through "genre phases", which absolutely influences "what grabs me." For instance, when I'm reading classics, it's the mystery imbedded in the story, whether it be romance or murder, that grabs me (or I hope it does...I tend to be more "patient" with the classics).
ReplyDeleteFor the past year or so I've mostly been reading YA, so what I find "grabs" me most is a strong voice. The one I can pinpoint is Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. That book had me laughing on page one!
The opening is SO important and so tricky. We have to both care about the character (at least enough to care what's happening to them) AND be thrown into the action. And I agree, it doesn't have to be a plane crash - though Libba Bray is a genius. It can be simpler than that.
ReplyDeleteSecrets are great hooks, I think, Sabrina! Thanks for bringing this up.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued, Alissa. I may have to read that novel. ; )
Ah, humor and voice--I couldn't agree more that these are great hooks.
So true, Lisa. I also agree that Libba Bray is a genius--a hilarious genius.
Congratulations on your award! I love a good hook too, bold or gentle.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting character does it for me, as well as a hint of intrigue.
ReplyDeleteA lot of excitement on the first page might also work, but not if I don't care about the character and it's hard to care about them if I don't know a bit about them before being flung face first into an adventure.
I like a good hook, noisy or quiet. But I also like a strong sense of character and place.
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia! Thanks for following. Feel free to join the support group for next month's post.
ReplyDeleteA good hook and a fab MC grab me before anything. I can usually tell within the first two paragraphs if I will like the novel.
ReplyDeleteThe opening line and voice usually do it for me. And let me get into the main character's head so I can connect with her. Do all that and I'm good to go, but don't make me wait too long for some action.
ReplyDeleteI bet what "grabs" someone is a little different for each person! I agree with Stina--the voice, the quality of the writing. Not immediate action; I want to know the character first. But not too much internal musings either--then I get antsy for action. So, a good balance.
ReplyDeleteA lot of different things can keep me reading. It doesn't always have to be something dramatic. Perhaps and interesting character or voice.
ReplyDeleteAnd not too much description. I find I'm beginning to understand why I don't like to write a lot of description. I don't like to read too much of it either. Not that I don't like some, but not so much where I forget what else is going on. ;)
Great comments, everyone! Thank you. I love reading all the different opinions.
ReplyDeleteAnd welcome, Alex!
I loved the Graveyard Book too. It immediately drew me into the story. I didn't need to know copious amounts of backstory either.
ReplyDeleteI have to read those books! Thanks for sharing those. There you go... that's what draws me in - a sense of something that is happening or about to happen... and it's written with magic.
ReplyDeletehonestly... most books I read fall short... ( but I know I also am not good at great hooks)
ReplyDeletePaula Vince's books have grabbed me from the beginning. Jandy Nelson had me from start to end in The Sky is Everywhere.
I want character, action, and back story all on the first page (as if I'll ever get it!)
I've been meaning to read Beauty Queens!!!
ReplyDeleteI do love a book that I HAVE to keep reading. Anita Laydon's Miller mg mystery recently was one that I couldn't put down. I HAD to find out what happened next.
I still need to read BQ. :)
ReplyDeleteI love an opening that offers me something unexpected. Like you, there doesn't need to be a huge flash-bang, but if the setting and situation is normal, then something abnormal has to happen pretty quickly. I also like books that start off with a strange observation--love those types of opening lines. :)
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Thanks for the thanks, Cynthia! I've just started reading Peter Nimble, and the opening line is "Now, for those of you who know anything about blind children, you are aware that they make the very best thieves." Pulled me right in because it planted questions in my mind.
ReplyDeleteI love it when an author leaves things unsaid. I like the murkiness of it. I hate it when the author overplays what's going on and forgets how sophisticated us readers are. For me,it's the mystery of what/why something is happening that hooks me!
ReplyDeleteAh, something that is happening or about to happen, as in The Graveyard Book. That snags me, as well.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to read that MG mystery, Kelly. Thanks!
Michelle, I loved The Sky is Everywhere, too!
Angela, great point about how intriguing strange observations or something abnormal can be. So true!
Wow, MG--great opening line.
Really great point, Karen. Leaving things unsaid does make us want to read on and figure out what is going on in a story.
I'd love to read that Libba Bray. I just read the Graveyard this summer and I was hooked too!
ReplyDeleteBoth such great books, Lydia, and completely different. I'm in awe of such talent.
ReplyDeleteLately, I've been reading the younger set. I just finished, "Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator: The Bones of the Holy" by Jennifer Allison. I love the first line - Okay--I know snooping in someone's suitcase is wrong, but sometimes it's also necessary. Now, don't you need to know what is in that suitcase? Nice post Cynthia! Always getting us thinking.
ReplyDeleteI love beginnings that make me ask questions and keep me reading, wanting to get my questions answered. The Maze Runner starts: "He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air." What new life??? It sure doesn't sound good. This was a book I could barely put down.
ReplyDeleteI have The Graveyard Book. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteIt can be either a strong voice or mysterious action that pulls me in on that first page.
Have a great weekend.
Cynthia - I stopped by to tell you that I have a blog award for you on my blog!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely want to know what's in that suitcase, Maeve! And thanks for the blog award! I'll stop by. : )
ReplyDeleteSusan, I keep meaning to read The Maze Runner. Thanks for reminding me about it.
Some sort of mystery or question hooks me, too, Medeia. Happy reading!