People keep asking for this one, though. Follow #TenThingsAboutHooks to collect them all!
1. I'm always a little suspicious of writing tutors who talk about "hooks." Sure, it's important to grab your reader's attention as quickly as you can, but it's important to do it in a way that doesn't end up with the reader feeling cheated. #TenThingsAboutHooks
2. I'm all for an arresting opening sentence, but make sure you consider tone. An over-flashy or over-dramatic opening can sometimes end up sounding like a cheap device to attract attention, and may ultimately alienate your reader. #TenThingsAboutHooks
3. Ideally your reader should be drawn into your story before they even realize it's happening. And if you're writing a novel, it doesn't automatically have to be in the very first sentence. #TenThingsAboutHooks
4. One way of drawing the reader in is to introduce them to a character they're likely to find interesting or relatable. That doesn't mean a massive infodump: a well-chosen detail or two might be enough to intrigue them and make them want to read on. #TenThingsAboutHooks
5. Another way is to present your reader with an interesting thought or piece of information that they may never have considered before. They'll read on to find out its relevance. #TenThingsAboutHooks
6. Another way is to make the reader ask themself a question. If you make it engaging enough, they'll read on in order to find out the answer. #TenThingsAboutHooks
7. Or you can start off with a bang. Iain Banks does this very well - he surprises his audience into the story with a series of startling, sometimes shocking opening sentences that hook the reader immediately. That style isn't for everyone, though. #TenThingsAboutHooks
8. But that only works if the whole novel is in a similar register. If you're writing a quiet, reflective story, you'll have to start it off in a quiet, reflective way. That doesn't mean sacrificing tension or mystery. It means you'll have to be subtle. #TenThingsAboutHooks
9. And the concept of the "hook" is really not a subtle one. It's really a kind of fanfare that tells the audience you're about to start telling your story. This works fine in the hands of some authors; not so well in others. #TenThingsAboutHooks
10. Truth is, you don't always *need* a hook to keep your readers interested. You need a well-drawn protagonist and a well-constructed plot. That will keep your readers on side right up to the end of your story. #TenThingsAboutHooks
