The Hook

[SweetWitch]

I sometimes use this technique. It works well, I think, because TV script formulas have conditioned us to assume that the first couple of "he did it" set-ups are false leads. I think readers stay engaged with this way of arcing a story because their brains keep spinning on how it's going to fall into the formula of "he didn't really do it."

It's a good concept, but can only be used by someone with real ability. I've seen it tried by writers who really don't possess the talent and the story just falls flat.

 

[SweetWitch]

Here's an old thread to ponder. Any new contributions?

 

[TE999]

Here's an old thread to ponder. Any new contributions?

That's a lotta stuff to read, Molly. You got a summary or sumpin'?

 

[SweetWitch]

That's a lotta stuff to read, Molly. You got a summary or sumpin'?

Just read the original post and go from there.

 

[Handley_Page]

Just read the original post and go from there.

Aw, Molly, where's the fun in that?.
It's like school homework !

 

[SweetWitch]

Aw, Molly, where's the fun in that?.
It's like school homework !

Don't be lazy.

 

[SweetWitch]

Someone told me he was looking for this thread.

 

[_Lynn_]

Someone told me he was looking for this thread.

I sent the link to someone earlier this week.

 

[SweetWitch]

I sent the link to someone earlier this week.

I got a message asking about it, so I thought it should come out of mothballs.

 

[Handley_Page]

A couple of books I have read of late feature a "Prologue" and the hook is demonstrably therein. Skip it and start at Ch 1 and you've lost the plot !

 

[SweetWitch]

A couple of books I have read of late feature a "Prologue" and the hook is demonstrably therein. Skip it and start at Ch 1 and you've lost the plot !

An author once told me prologues are a lazy way out. Instead of developing plot, you give the plot away in the first page.

 

[sr71plt]

Prologues are employed to do all sorts of things, not just to hint at the story's hook. But even that is a legitimate use. Those who see any writing technique as "all" or "every" or "always to be avoided" are being tempted to write pablum.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I'm reading the collected short stories of Chester Himes, beginning with the crap he scribbled while a convict in the early 30s. The early stuff aint stories, theyre whining bout the por ol black man's burden of racism.

But a few years later he stops whining and forms a style that characterizes his most popular writing of the 50s. I noticed, too, that he started using hooks in the late 30s.

It seems like hooks come along once the writer has a philosophy of life.

 

[SweetWitch]

I'm reading the collected short stories of Chester Himes, beginning with the crap he scribbled while a convict in the early 30s. The early stuff aint stories, theyre whining bout the por ol black man's burden of racism.

But a few years later he stops whining and forms a style that characterizes his most popular writing of the 50s. I noticed, too, that he started using hooks in the late 30s.

It seems like hooks come along once the writer has a philosophy of life.

I believe I see your point. Now I have to go back and read all the early work of my favorite authors. Sigh. That's a lot of reading. No time like the present to start.