One of the biggest challenges for new writers is keeping readers hooked. We spend hours, days, months, sometimes years trying to find the perfect first line for our books. That first line that will pull our readers into our worlds and stories; the type of first line that just can’t be ignored. This is known as a hook. Hooks are also used at the start of chapters, scenes or even at the ends of these sections to make sure the reader turns the page for the next.
First lines of a novel
The first lines in a novel, as almost every writer knows, are crucially important. First lines get readers to buy our books, to read them, and to keep them turning pages. First lines should do a few things:
Make readers ask questions
Make readers want the answers to those questions
(More broadly) Make promises to a reader about what to expect from the book
An example:
“Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.”
From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Who are Mr and Mrs Dursley and why do they feel the need to explain their normalness? Was there really something abnormal they were trying to hide?
What is so abnormal about them that they feel the need to exaggerate their normalness?
Fulfilled Promise: They weren’t in fact normal, and were harbouring a very famous wizard.
First lines of a chapter
Most readers will often tell themselves ‘just one more chapter’. This is why, first lines of chapters are so important. When readers catch a glimpse of that first line of a chapter, you want them to keep that book open. Placing a hook at the beginning of a chapter is one of many ways to keep readers turning pages, and feeling immersed within your story. These lines should also make promises to the reader about what they will find within the chapter.
First lines of a scene
The first lines of a scene have to do everything already mentioned above, with the added task of setting the tone. The setting, characters and conflict contained in the scene must be hinted at with the first line, while leaving enough to the reader’s imagination that they want to read on to find out how it unfolds.
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