tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post7663321609755511240..comments2023-06-18T06:35:42.729-04:00Comments on Christian Writer/Reader Connection: Hook 'Em, Dan-OSusan J. Reinhardthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-76665152483836556982010-07-14T09:43:13.267-04:002010-07-14T09:43:13.267-04:00Hi Kathleen -
Your poetic descriptions never fail...Hi Kathleen -<br /><br />Your poetic descriptions never fail to delight me. :)<br /><br />It takes practice, but the effort is worthwhile. I hope you'll give it a try.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-65831544091196431722010-07-13T18:13:28.354-04:002010-07-13T18:13:28.354-04:00It's that which whets the appetite, like a fin...It's that which whets the appetite, like a fine wine, or a tasty appetizer. It's the prelude to a symphony, or the promising light just ahead of dawn. Hooks are what alert me to "be alert". <br /><br />Not sure I know how to write them into a scene, but I sure know when I've been gripped by one.<br /><br />Blessings, <br />KathleenKathleen https://www.blogger.com/profile/05245926913888212148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-83861655074472270912010-07-13T16:18:29.679-04:002010-07-13T16:18:29.679-04:00Hi Jen -
I also try to tie the end to the beginni...Hi Jen -<br /><br />I also try to tie the end to the beginning hook. It doesn't always work, but it's effective when it does.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-40859798106221556082010-07-13T15:40:17.204-04:002010-07-13T15:40:17.204-04:00I try to use hooks in the first sentence, then add...I try to use hooks in the first sentence, then add them as I go to keep interest. At the end of each story, I try to tie in to the hook at the beginning. Like a bow on the package, or the whip cream on a cupcake.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-71768222859859515152010-07-13T15:21:14.507-04:002010-07-13T15:21:14.507-04:00Hi Nancy -
I guess it seems harder because it isn...Hi Nancy -<br /><br />I guess it seems harder because it isn't something we accustomed to doing. Like anything, it takes practice. :)<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-37942696948531749942010-07-13T15:20:11.367-04:002010-07-13T15:20:11.367-04:00Hi Karen -
LOL! Did you know they're bringing...Hi Karen -<br /><br />LOL! Did you know they're bringing the series back? I saw an advertisement last night.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-86916535187931283612010-07-13T15:08:40.271-04:002010-07-13T15:08:40.271-04:00I would like to try this technique. Of course rea...I would like to try this technique. Of course readers need to be pulled into non-fiction as well as fiction. I don't know why it seems easier with fiction, but it does.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-76037151294313676872010-07-13T15:01:26.737-04:002010-07-13T15:01:26.737-04:00I know the whole theme song from Hawaii Five-O too...I know the whole theme song from Hawaii Five-O too...<br /><br />Good post, and good stuff!<br />Blessings,<br />Karen :)Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-77751208125218319732010-07-13T13:44:30.088-04:002010-07-13T13:44:30.088-04:00Hi Heather -
Since I'm also an avid reader, I...Hi Heather -<br /><br />Since I'm also an avid reader, I enjoy a great beginning. As writers, it's important we keep our audience in mind.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-58312742099882999322010-07-13T13:41:47.518-04:002010-07-13T13:41:47.518-04:00Hi Kristen -
What fun! Your students are fortunat...Hi Kristen -<br /><br />What fun! Your students are fortunate to have a teacher, who is also a writer.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-41280045254940189812010-07-13T13:16:13.642-04:002010-07-13T13:16:13.642-04:00I love this, Susan. I like to write/read hooks at ...I love this, Susan. I like to write/read hooks at the beginning of any writing. Even non-fiction needs a good lead-in to hook us.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-17808288997949850732010-07-12T22:53:47.726-04:002010-07-12T22:53:47.726-04:00Beginnings are so tough!! There's so much pres...Beginnings are so tough!! There's so much pressure to make it the best it can be so won't lose the reader. <br /><br />I do enjoy writing "showing" hooks for my kids science articles. I try to set the kids in a place where they would feel the beating wings of a locust infestation, or help them imagine what it would be like if we ate like Venus flytraps. Fun stuff.<br />Thanks, Susan:)Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14683245998938431038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-63260858769514065782010-07-12T21:46:35.582-04:002010-07-12T21:46:35.582-04:00Hi Donna -
It's always good to review, as wel...Hi Donna -<br /><br />It's always good to review, as well as provide material for newbie writers. :)<br /><br />I agree. Getting that first paragraph right is both crucial and difficult.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-37313532418732470102010-07-12T21:43:19.065-04:002010-07-12T21:43:19.065-04:00Hi Quiet Spirit -
LOL! The fishing terms sound li...Hi Quiet Spirit -<br /><br />LOL! The fishing terms sound like the beginning of a great analogy.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-80471472768280683982010-07-12T21:07:46.100-04:002010-07-12T21:07:46.100-04:00Hi Carol -
Yes, anecdotes are excellent openers. ...Hi Carol -<br /><br />Yes, anecdotes are excellent openers. As you all know, I like analogies. They seem to flow from my pen, sometimes bypassing my brain. LOL!<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-46250751965687981832010-07-12T21:04:13.610-04:002010-07-12T21:04:13.610-04:00Hi Alisa -
Dialogue is another great way to spark...Hi Alisa -<br /><br />Dialogue is another great way to spark a reader's interest. When you have an action first and then follow it with dialogue, it's more realistic.<br /><br />Example: Cassie removed her lollipop, and stuck her cherry-red tongue out at her brother. "You stop teasing me or I'll tell Mama."<br /><br />(I think Cassie needs some lessons in dealing with conflict. LOL!)<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-1305766597840750942010-07-12T20:08:20.863-04:002010-07-12T20:08:20.863-04:00In a story I had in Writing for Dollars a few week...In a story I had in Writing for Dollars a few weeks back on "Write at Home with Little People" I hooked with a anecdote of myself having to get up from my lap top and go to the printer because it was AGAIN out of paper. Why, my little boy was sprawled on the floor coloring.Carol J. Alexanderhttp://www.caroljalexander.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-35843354412333761852010-07-12T16:49:48.177-04:002010-07-12T16:49:48.177-04:00I love to tell in my books; but, I'm learning ...I love to tell in my books; but, I'm learning to take about two pages of telling, and turn it into one line of dialogue.<br /><br />I hope this technique allows the reader to write the story along with me, filling in her own insights with each turn of the page.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-18778391341753970082010-07-12T15:34:49.060-04:002010-07-12T15:34:49.060-04:00It's almost as challenging to write that first...It's almost as challenging to write that first line and paragraph and grab the reader and yank them into the story as it is to write the whole story!<br /><br />Great post and so helpful to new writers as well as a reminder to us who have been plugging at the keys for a long time!Donna M. Kohlstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04268172745025677265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-5985529168801989832010-07-12T15:21:41.223-04:002010-07-12T15:21:41.223-04:00Susan:
A good piece on the hook we need to cas...Susan:<br /> A good piece on the hook we need to cast out into the deep waters. The wording of our thought is our bait. <br /> (Forgive the fishing terms. I don't know where they came from.)quietspirithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086016141181470311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-12090520259922749242010-07-12T14:44:39.069-04:002010-07-12T14:44:39.069-04:00Hi Cindy -
You brought up an important point. All...Hi Cindy -<br /><br />You brought up an important point. All of these skills require practice. They'll seem awkward at first, but in time they'll become more automatic.<br /><br />Getting past the learning curve takes time. We need to give ourselves grace during that period.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-76104478799597456172010-07-12T14:39:55.069-04:002010-07-12T14:39:55.069-04:00Those are great examples. I don't write non-fi...Those are great examples. I don't write non-fiction but I work hard to use the show don't tell method with fiction. It used to be hard for me to recognize but it gets easier and honestly, more fun, to write that way.Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-30626055764391430212010-07-12T11:01:32.217-04:002010-07-12T11:01:32.217-04:00Hi Terri -
I think short, non-fiction almost dema...Hi Terri -<br /><br />I think short, non-fiction almost demands this method. Anthologies receive a gazillion submissions, so catching the editor's eye with a great hook is essential.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-82181904376617904372010-07-12T10:59:31.944-04:002010-07-12T10:59:31.944-04:00Hi Wendy -
Crafting a hook takes a lot of effort,...Hi Wendy -<br /><br />Crafting a hook takes a lot of effort, but the payoff is huge. In non-fiction, I like to finish off a piece with a reference back to the original hook.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-72644172736530288122010-07-12T10:57:29.902-04:002010-07-12T10:57:29.902-04:00Hi Jess -
It's a great technique, and when it...Hi Jess -<br /><br />It's a great technique, and when it's missing, the reader will often abandon the story.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.com