No Excuses Blog Challenge Post 1

I'm terrible with blogging. I really enjoy it, when I get going but sometimes I have a hard time getting started. So, I've decided to take part in a 21 day, no excuses blog challenge. I'll post links later. One thing I like, they are giving suggested topics for each day. Which really helps.  Today's topic is "hooks". I'm not going with their suggested discussion about hooks, but that's okay.

As a writer, hooks are hard. There is so much a hook has to accomplish. I mean, it has to get the reader to continue reading, and in this fast paced, go-go-go world, that's harder than ever to do.  As I thought about how I wanted to go with this topic, I pondered some ideas. For example...

She leaned over the balcony, staring at the ground only 4 floors below, and wondered if she'd survive the fall.

Is that a good hook? I'm not so sure. Would someone read on to see why she was pondering this? Maybe, if they didn't have anything else to do.

She leaned over the balcony, staring at the ground only 4 floors below, and wondered if he'd survive the fall.

Al little better. Who is she? Who is he? What did he do that would make her want to push him? Did he deserve it? Or, is she a victim?

Hooks must cause the reader to ask questions. And those questions must drive the reader to continue to the next line, the next paragraph, the next page, the next chapter.

So, as a writer, how do you handle hooks?  And, as a reader, what are some of your favorite hooks?

Share in the comments for a chance to win some free stuff. I'll give away a couple books along with a critique.



Check out these great blogs participating in the blog challenge.

Doing the research...

One thing several of the agents and editors I talked to last week agreed on was the value of getting short stories published.  Especially in the "big" markets within my genre.

So, this means Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine for me.  Now, I've submitted to them before and last time got the "send something else" rejection letter so it's time for me to whip up something else to send them. 

However, this time I'm doing some indepth research first.  Yesterday I picked up the latest copy of EQ at Books a Million and today started reading.

Right now, I'm focusing on hooks or opening lines.  Here's the opening lines of the stories in this issue.

1.  Agatha Canford said, “No, no, no,” and leaned forward to tap Quincannon smartly on the knee.

2.  Kieran sat on his bike at the edge of the wood line and watched the new people transfer their furnishings from the van to the house.

3.  Salvatore (Sally) met with the godfather, Franco Calderella, in the study of his Staten Island Mansion.

4.  The guy who’d just tried to kill me didn’t look like much.

5.  How could I, Josie Welford, licensee of the White Hare, waste a whole day worrying about putting right a perfectly innocent mistake?

6.  At least the caller had the good grace to wait until Amy and I had finished making love.

7.  "It's me!"
    "I'm in the lounge."
    "Good day?"
    "Very.  Exceptionally good.  Brilliantly good.  Yours?"

8.  "What's going on?"
     I'm in my own house minding my own buisness, and he motions me over.

9.  The Hotel Mozambique.  Aptly named.

10.  He didn't even lift his head when she put the cup dowin in front of him.

11.  I suppose I remember it better than the other, countless other, picnics of my childhood, and I suppose the reason for this is the murder.


I don't know how many times I've heard it said and been told that you must hook the reader with your first line.  And I don't know about you, but I struggle to get the best first line I possibly can. 

So, what do you think?  Which first line (The ones that started with dialogue, I added a couple extra lines.) catches your attention and causes you to want to read more?  What about them do you like? 

Any opening line that you don't particulary care for?  Why, why not?

Remember, no author bashing, just good discussion please. :-)