How to Hook Your Reader in a Novel

A Great Story Opening Arouses, Delays & Rewards

Nov 28, 2008 Nina Munteanu

Constructing a compelling beginning-often called a hook-is a common challenge for even established writers, and one of the most important parts of a story.

The opening of a story should be in motion. It should sweep the reader into the story like a tidal wave. It doesn’t need to be wild action. It just needs to compel the reader to want to know more. This is accomplished by engaging the reader with “intrigue”. In his article “Three Ways to Keep Your Readers Hooked” in the April 2001 issue of Writer’s Digest, Joe Cardillo suggested that the three elements of hooking a reader resemble the steps he uses to train his Samoyed puppy: 1) arouse interest; 2) delay, then 3) reward.

Arouse, Delay, Reward

The writer arouses interest in the reader by providing enough detail to get the reader to ask questions. Now they want something. You tease them with the delay; that keeps them reading and turning the pages. It also gives them the chance to try to come up with the answers themselves. The reward comes in stages. Don’t answer all their questions at once. That’s what the book—the story—is for.

Beginnings Are a Promise

here is no beginning without an end. In her book The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit (Revised Edition, Perigee Trade, 2002) Elizabeth Lyon suggested that the beginning of a novel should “reflect the entire book. There should be a tie-in [between] the beginning and the end”. This is sometimes called “framing” a story, where the principal thematic problem is given in the beginning and then resolved in the end. In his book, A Story is a Promise (Blue Heron Publishing, 2000) Bill Johnson describes it as a promise to the reader. The beginning of a book sets up a covenant between writer and reader, a covenant for a journey they will take together toward resolution.

Things to Consider

Additional things to consider in openings include the following:

  • Avoid starting your story at the beginning: instead, start mid-way, when something is already happening.
  • Quell the urge to put a lot of information about setting, character and situation: get things in motion first, then fill in slowly here and there. Let the details unfold with the story.
  • Trust your reader: novice writers have not yet gained the confidence to trust that they won’t lose the reader in the beginning if they don’t tell them everything right away. The key is to choose just enough to whet their appetite for more. And, yes, it is critical what you choose.

A great opening is a seductive tease, deliciously delivered; it promises an exotic ride that only the writer can fulfill.

The copyright of the article How to Hook Your Reader in a Novel in Writing Fiction is owned by Nina Munteanu. Permission to republish How to Hook Your Reader in a Novel in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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