The first sentence, or at least the first paragraph, of any fiction novel is where you will find "the hook". The intent is to snag the reader's attention, and hold it long enough to reach the suspense engine, which should kick in during the first chapter, preferably in the first few pages.
The "suspense engine" is a concept for another post. What I'm curious about here are examples of excellent 'hooks'. Do any books stand out in your mind that had an excellent first line or first paragraph? Is anyone willing to share a good example?
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The Hook
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- Interbane
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The Hook
“In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.” - Douglas Adams
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Re: The Hook
For some examples, try the thread I started in the Fiction Book Forum titled "Favorite Opening Lines."
Love what you do, and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. -Ray Bradbury
Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it. -Robert A. Heinlein
Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it. -Robert A. Heinlein
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Re: The Hook
I really like the opening lines for The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern:
"The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night."
"The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night."
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Re: The Hook
That's a good one, Olivia.
Love what you do, and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. -Ray Bradbury
Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it. -Robert A. Heinlein
Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it. -Robert A. Heinlein
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Re: The Hook
Surely one of the best hooks of all time: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, ..." - although it never actually hooked me into reading the book.
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Re: The Hook
"The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed."
Love what you do, and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. -Ray Bradbury
Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it. -Robert A. Heinlein
Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it. -Robert A. Heinlein