Title: Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One and Never Lets
Them Go
Author: Les Edgerton
Publisher: Writers Digest Books (April
12, 2007)
Format: Kindle eBook
Source: Purchased
Genre: Nonfiction
Description: *The first pages are the #1 key to
acceptance or rejection of manuscripts--most agents and editors claim to make
their decision on a manuscript after the very first page, which means that no
writer can afford to have a weak story beginning
*The first
and only fiction-writing book that focuses exclusively on beginnings--no other
book on the market addresses story beginnings in a comprehensive manner
Agents and
editors agree: Improper story beginnings are the single biggest barrier to
publication. Why? If a novel or short story has a bad beginning, then no one
will keep reading. It's just that simple. Hooked provides readers with a detailed
understanding of what a beginning must include (setup, backstory, the inciting
incident, etc.); instruction on how to successfully develop the story problem;
tips on how to correct common beginning mistakes; exclusive insider advice from
agents, acquiring book editors, and literary journal editors; and much more.
Review: Les Edgerton’s Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One and Never Lets
Them Go delights in its knowledge to writers and witty humor.
Any writer
knows the first pages of a manuscript are the key to acceptance or rejection by
agents, publishers, and readers. If the writer can’t grab their readers at the
beginning, then that writer has little chance of keeping readers. Hooked tells writers how to create those
intense first chapters by focusing on the elements of opening chapters as well
as focusing the writer on the story worthy problem. Edgerton uses his own
experience as well as many examples to tell his valuable lessons to writers.
Hooked grabbed me from the beginning. Edgerton uses humor and
examples to teach writers how to write those stellar openings. With a focus on
the story worthy problem, the inciting incident, and the surface problems,
writers learn the correct place to start their story as well as how to create
that first sentence hook that will make agents, editors, and readers needing to
read more. As a writer, this book was an “ah-hah” book. Everything clicked and
made sense and excited me to keep writing with new focus. Although Hooked focuses on book’s openings, the
lessons from it will help a writer with pace and the underlying tension that
creates a page-turning novel.
Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers
at Page One and Never Lets Them Go
by Les Edgerton is a must-read for those studying the craft of writing.
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| Five Bookworms = I loved it! |
