Have you ever noticed that the best stories manage to grab your attention right from the very start? That’s because successful storytellers know exactly how to lure you in and keep you turning the pages.
Story hooks are how the writer catches the reader’s attention and forces them to ask questions. Also known as a narrative hook, it’s a technique in writing wherein writers create an enticing intro.
7 Tips for Writing a Story Hook
So how do you write a great hook? Here are some of the most important tips to help you captivate your reader:
1. Remember that your first impression is your title.
Sometimes we think that the hook only refers to the first paragraph of your writing. The truth is, the title is usually the first thing that the readers see on the page or on the cover of the book.
Although we all quote the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” I don’t think anyone really lives by that: readers in every generation will always take a look at a book cover and decide whether it’s worth even flipping to the back cover to see what it’s about!
That’s why you shouldn’t take your book title lightly. Some writers start writing with a title in mind, but in many cases, you’ll work on several versions of your title before finding one that’s most effective at catching your readers’ interest.
2. Drop your readers right into the heat of things.
Writers use the term in medias res to refer to the strategy of starting your story right in the middle of the action.
Face it: if you were to pick up a story that starts with a lot of explanation or back story, versus one where a lot of punches are already being thrown, chances are, the more exciting beginning will be what keeps you hooked.
Why does this work so effectively? Usually, when you drop your readers right into the action, it causes intrigue and questions to rise up—questions that demand answers!
3. Play with emotional strings.
Another way of hooking your reader into your story is by using the power of emotions. Readers are human beings with feelings, and if you can draw them in to a scene that they can relate with emotionally, chances are, you have their attention.
This means that you have to be intentional in making your first scenes form an emotional connection with your readers. This will make them more invested, and they’ll want to find out what happens to your character.
This doesn’t just work for fiction; for nonfiction works, this is why many expert writers start by sharing a personal story or anecdote.
4. Start with a controversial statement.
When you open with a statement that catches your reader by surprise, it’s like offering them a challenge. Your reader will then continue reading to see how you can prove your statement. Oftentimes, the mere fact that you stated something that seems debatable or controversial is enough to warrant a closer look.
This is the strategy that Jane Austen employed in her bestselling classic Pride and Prejudice, when she states that any single, well-to-do man “must be in want of a wife’! Is that true? We need to find out!
5. Force your reader to ask questions.
Sometimes, as writers, we think that we have to provide all the answers. But do you know how powerful a question can be in the mind of your reader?
When your reader has questions while reading your first chapter, it’s almost always a guarantee that they will keep reading to find answers.
6. Leave the descriptions for later.
When you start a story, we may be tempted to explain and describe everything to set the scene just right. Resist the urge!
The opening scene is not the place to go into lengthy descriptions—save that for later. Instead, focus on creating suspense and stirring up questions that can’t be answered just yet.
7. Make sure you deliver along the way.
I’ve urged you to leave your reader with questions, but remember to deliver on your promises! Nothing is more frustrating than coming to the end of a book with all your questions still unanswered.
The best writers know how to pace their revelations, providing hints and answers little by little, just enough to satisfy the reader and keep them going.
Thriller writers especially like to introduce a new question as soon as they answer a previous one. This keeps readers in a constant state of suspense!
Writing Catchy Story Hooks
When you make sure to start your story with an effective hook, you’d have won half of the battle of getting the reader to the end of your book. Remember: create curiosity, speak to the emotions, answer questions along the way, and stir up more questions!
The more you learn to do this, the better you will be at keeping your readers engaged, not just at the start but all throughout your book!
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Story Pacing: 8 Tips To Keep Your Story Moving
- Obligatory Scenes and Their Place in Storytelling
- What Are Literary Tropes? Examples and Tips for Putting a Fresh Spin on Your Story
- 11 Examples of a Story Within a Story
Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
