Comments on: How to Hook Your Readers http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/ Write well. Write often. Edit wisely. Fri, 18 May 2012 19:51:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Fiction Editor Beth Hill http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/#comment-1642 Fiction Editor Beth Hill Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:50:38 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=205#comment-1642 Glad you found it helpful, Dawn. Glad you found it helpful, Dawn.

]]> By: Dawn Kurtagich http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/#comment-1641 Dawn Kurtagich Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:45:48 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=205#comment-1641 Great advice :) Great advice :)

]]> By: Beth http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/#comment-73 Beth Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:25:18 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=205#comment-73 Attention-getters are definitely what we want in those opening scenes. Olivia, I look forward to buying your books from a store. It's such a kick to see photos of people I know looking back at me from my local Border's. Attention-getters are definitely what we want in those opening scenes. Olivia, I look forward to buying your books from a store. It’s such a kick to see photos of people I know looking back at me from my local Border’s.

]]> By: Olivia Cunning http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/#comment-71 Olivia Cunning Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:01:07 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=205#comment-71 Something I'm good at! I think. It's the saggy middle I struggle through. I let the opening scenes churn around in the cranium until I know where to start. Where does the story grab me as the author? That's where I start. Occasionally I'm off by a scene or two, but not often. And I agree. I can't think of much worse than a big ol' info dump at the beginning of a novel. I never finish reading those that start that way. Heck, I usually don't get past the third page. I do have a short attention span. Something I’m good at! I think. It’s the saggy middle I struggle through. I let the opening scenes churn around in the cranium until I know where to start. Where does the story grab me as the author? That’s where I start. Occasionally I’m off by a scene or two, but not often.

And I agree. I can’t think of much worse than a big ol’ info dump at the beginning of a novel. I never finish reading those that start that way. Heck, I usually don’t get past the third page. I do have a short attention span.

]]> By: Beth http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/#comment-56 Beth Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:34:42 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=205#comment-56 Novel openings are wonderful. Here's an adventure, ready to begin, and I get to take part in it. I love when an author grabs my attention right away and we're off into an imaginary world. It's incredible, the power of the written word. Novel openings are wonderful. Here’s an adventure, ready to begin, and I get to take part in it. I love when an author grabs my attention right away and we’re off into an imaginary world.

It’s incredible, the power of the written word.

]]> By: James Rafferty http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/#comment-55 James Rafferty Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:07:39 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=205#comment-55 Beth, well stated examples of how to grab the reader from the beginning. In my first novel, I struggled with where and how to begin, but learned a few lessons that helped in writing the second one. As you point out, there's lots of competition out there -- and not just writing -- so a memorable beginning become that much more important. Beth, well stated examples of how to grab the reader from the beginning. In my first novel, I struggled with where and how to begin, but learned a few lessons that helped in writing the second one. As you point out, there’s lots of competition out there — and not just writing — so a memorable beginning become that much more important.

]]> By: Judi Fennell http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/#comment-54 Judi Fennell Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:26:13 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=205#comment-54 All good advice (as I check the beginning of the current WIP for about the fiftieth time...) All good advice (as I check the beginning of the current WIP for about the fiftieth time…)

]]> By: Kat Sheridan http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/#comment-53 Kat Sheridan Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:15:41 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=205#comment-53 Wonderful article! Yes, I usually write at least 40 pages (because I do LOVE setting and description), and THEN find my beginning! I need to learn the knack of getting to it earlier. Great tips! Wonderful article! Yes, I usually write at least 40 pages (because I do LOVE setting and description), and THEN find my beginning! I need to learn the knack of getting to it earlier. Great tips!

]]> By: Beth http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/#comment-51 Beth Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:57:48 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=205#comment-51 If we could only begin in the perfect spot on the first draft each and every time. But that warm-up stuff <i>can</i> be useful. You can learn a lot about your characters and setting from what you include in the opening and use that information to strengthen the story. If we could only begin in the perfect spot on the first draft each and every time. But that warm-up stuff can be useful. You can learn a lot about your characters and setting from what you include in the opening and use that information to strengthen the story.

]]> By: Vivian A http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/14/how-to-hook-your-readers/#comment-50 Vivian A Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:35:37 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=205#comment-50 Great tips, Beth. Finding the beginning is rarely door number one or two for me. It generally lurches out about 60 pages in, WHAM! Now if I could just cut to the chase and lose the writing warm-up. Great tips, Beth. Finding the beginning is rarely door number one or two for me. It generally lurches out about 60 pages in, WHAM! Now if I could just cut to the chase and lose the writing warm-up.

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