As promised, I’ve spent the last while studying hooks. I’ve not progressed so far as to like the ones I write, but I am getting an inkling of what they’re all about. I’m also working on my understanding of what catches the interests of the market.
To further my lofty goals, I’m spending time in B&N pulling books off the shelves and giving them my ‘quick take’ report. This means that, firstly, I pick books by authors I haven’t read, and whom are relatively new to the field. Secondly, I read the blurb about the book on the back and break down its components. Did it start with back history, character introduction, plot tension, etc., and did it catch my interest. Lastly I read the first page and break it down as I did the hook, plus noting whether it starts with exposition, dialogue or action. Then I give the book an interest level score. I also check as to whether I can remember the authors last name or the title of the book two minutes later.
I’ve done 10-20 books so far. I’ll report results when I arrive at conclusions. In the mean time, I’m begining to see how/why editors and agents can sound so jaded on certain plot devices. Certain plot elements can blur into a blah, blah, blah, snore.
