I'm currently reworking an epic fantasy series that I wrote back around 2007 and was published in 2012. I have since regained the rights to it and am going to re-release it as a new edition later this year. Before writing the series, I did about six months of intensive research that included in-person interviews, etc. When I finally sat down to write, the words poured out of me like channeling. So ... I "was ready." And it paid off.
The hook for me in reading any novel has to be at the beginning of the story, on the first page. Maybe it is the lure of lyricism that promises rhythmical pleasure. or an interesting character in an impossible situation salted with some humor. I want to enjoy the quality of the writing as much as the premise of the plot. Practically every story is a person with a goal which gets more and more difficult to attain, especially toward the end but it is how the writer entertains us in both eye, ear, and phrasing that binds us to the page.
I agree - though I feel like there must be many hooks. Some at the first line or the first page, certainly, but a big one around the inciting incident - which hopefully does not take terribly long to get to!
Another fascinating column, Wendy. I love your analogy. I also usually wait until I've completed a draft before showing any of it to anyone, or even talking about it, so I won't be influenced. My mother was an artist who wouldn't show her unfinished work to anyone either, for fear anything they said or didn't say might influence her. I love the idea of hooking a writer when they're "ready" and can barely restrain themselves from reading more.
So glad you enjoyed it, Carol. I'm with you on not even wanting to talk about what I'm writing until that draft has been written. It's too easy to get influenced!
Perfect timing for me, Wendy. Great analogy with dog training, as always, and exactly what is hanging me up right now in this iteration of my writing. Love your substacks!
Wonderful piece. The hook at the beginning of a screenplay must happen within the first three pages. I’m now noticing it sometimes happens on the first page of a book!
BTW the writer might want to be picky about which friend or family member to ask to read a draft. 😉
You're right, hooks can be much sooner. Though I tend to think of hooks as constantly evolving, with a big one right after the inciting incident, wherever that is, and then others often at chapter endings to keep the reader going.
You're right about being careful who you chose to read your drafts, too! My husband is brutally honest, no sugar coating, so he's always a good first pick.
Really? I can see value in the unvarnished comments from someone who dare not 'go to far' .... but isn't there a need to go too far? I mean, in the writing - to push yourself far, further and farther with the guardrails off - isn't that like going into the confessional - let it all spill with out worry about where it might land (after all, it is fiction, right? but it can also be fantasy ... and possibly fantasy you don't wish to share with everyone or anyone) .... just a thought. I know I have DRAFT material I would happily share with writer-friends for honest and supportive feedback - they want me to get better. But if I share the raw/rough drafts with people I see every day, I'm certain my writing would be tamer, watered down and would not go down certain rabbit holes that it must certainly go down ... and not sure some relationships can withstand knowing there are places my mind goes which might be tempting/testing the secure/safe boundaries of a relationship. Having said that, I think fictional characters should have boundaries - some rigid and puritanical for certain characters, some loose and ill-defined, depending on the character. I think the writer needs to have no boundaries. I realize, between Draft #1 and the bookshelf a number of parties touch a piece - editors, publishers, and best friends, fellow writers and book critics. But, spouses? Shouldn't they read closer to the final draft? ... I think so (but, that's just one guy's opinion. Cheers, Mark
I'm currently reworking an epic fantasy series that I wrote back around 2007 and was published in 2012. I have since regained the rights to it and am going to re-release it as a new edition later this year. Before writing the series, I did about six months of intensive research that included in-person interviews, etc. When I finally sat down to write, the words poured out of me like channeling. So ... I "was ready." And it paid off.
Good for you! And best of luck with the re-release.
The hook for me in reading any novel has to be at the beginning of the story, on the first page. Maybe it is the lure of lyricism that promises rhythmical pleasure. or an interesting character in an impossible situation salted with some humor. I want to enjoy the quality of the writing as much as the premise of the plot. Practically every story is a person with a goal which gets more and more difficult to attain, especially toward the end but it is how the writer entertains us in both eye, ear, and phrasing that binds us to the page.
I agree - though I feel like there must be many hooks. Some at the first line or the first page, certainly, but a big one around the inciting incident - which hopefully does not take terribly long to get to!
Another fascinating column, Wendy. I love your analogy. I also usually wait until I've completed a draft before showing any of it to anyone, or even talking about it, so I won't be influenced. My mother was an artist who wouldn't show her unfinished work to anyone either, for fear anything they said or didn't say might influence her. I love the idea of hooking a writer when they're "ready" and can barely restrain themselves from reading more.
So glad you enjoyed it, Carol. I'm with you on not even wanting to talk about what I'm writing until that draft has been written. It's too easy to get influenced!
I'm in this post and I approve! Though I somehow have no recollection of that moment with Tock.
You were very helpful as Restrainer-in-Chief!
Great thoughts, Wendy!
Thanks for reading, Marci!
Perfect timing for me, Wendy. Great analogy with dog training, as always, and exactly what is hanging me up right now in this iteration of my writing. Love your substacks!
I think you're a lot more ready than you think you are!
Thanks. I'll be emailing you soon.
Wonderful piece. The hook at the beginning of a screenplay must happen within the first three pages. I’m now noticing it sometimes happens on the first page of a book!
BTW the writer might want to be picky about which friend or family member to ask to read a draft. 😉
You're right, hooks can be much sooner. Though I tend to think of hooks as constantly evolving, with a big one right after the inciting incident, wherever that is, and then others often at chapter endings to keep the reader going.
You're right about being careful who you chose to read your drafts, too! My husband is brutally honest, no sugar coating, so he's always a good first pick.
Hey, I resemble that remark!
You know I'm right.
Really? I can see value in the unvarnished comments from someone who dare not 'go to far' .... but isn't there a need to go too far? I mean, in the writing - to push yourself far, further and farther with the guardrails off - isn't that like going into the confessional - let it all spill with out worry about where it might land (after all, it is fiction, right? but it can also be fantasy ... and possibly fantasy you don't wish to share with everyone or anyone) .... just a thought. I know I have DRAFT material I would happily share with writer-friends for honest and supportive feedback - they want me to get better. But if I share the raw/rough drafts with people I see every day, I'm certain my writing would be tamer, watered down and would not go down certain rabbit holes that it must certainly go down ... and not sure some relationships can withstand knowing there are places my mind goes which might be tempting/testing the secure/safe boundaries of a relationship. Having said that, I think fictional characters should have boundaries - some rigid and puritanical for certain characters, some loose and ill-defined, depending on the character. I think the writer needs to have no boundaries. I realize, between Draft #1 and the bookshelf a number of parties touch a piece - editors, publishers, and best friends, fellow writers and book critics. But, spouses? Shouldn't they read closer to the final draft? ... I think so (but, that's just one guy's opinion. Cheers, Mark