Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Killer Hooks
Have you ever been halfway through reading the blurb on the back of a book, and gotten so excited you stopped reading? This has happened to me a few times recently. I'll be plopped on the floor in the back corner of the library where the romance novels are shoved, glancing at the back blurbs, and suddenly, BAM! I'm reading through the blurb and something says, "Yes! This is a book that I want to read!"
Often, this concluded with me immediately dashing toward the check-out desk and only later realizing that I'd never finished reading the back copy to see what happened. But it didn't really matter -- the blurb had already done it's job.
It'd hooked me.
I don't know if hooks work universally -- I'm curious if you would have had the same reaction. After reading this, I was psyched to read this book and tell everyone about it after reading the first two paragraphs alone. Did it hook you?
Here's another example, from romance this time -- Mary Jo Putney's The Bargain:
I saw that, said, "He's alive? I have to read this book!"
What do you think of these blurbs? Did they work for you as hooks, or did they fail to grab you? Have any examples of books whose hook was so great you just had to read it? Have you ever thought of a hook first, and then built a book around it?
Often, this concluded with me immediately dashing toward the check-out desk and only later realizing that I'd never finished reading the back copy to see what happened. But it didn't really matter -- the blurb had already done it's job.
It'd hooked me.
I picked up a Harlan Coben novel -- he writes thrillers whose characters are ordinary people like socer moms rather than James Bond -- and found this on the back. I wonder if you can guess which sentence hooked me so much I stopped reading:
An ordinary snapshot causes a suburban mother’s world to unravel in an instant. When Grace Lawson picks up a newly developed set of family photographs, there is a picture that doesn’t belong -- a photo from at least twenty years ago. In the photo are five people, four Grace can’t recognize and one that looks strikingly like her husband, Jack.
When Jack sees the photo, he denies he’s the man in it. But later that night, while Grace lies in bed waiting, he drives away in the family's minivan without an explanation, taking the photograph with him.
Not knowing where he went or why he left, Grace struggles alone to shield her children from Jack’s absence in the days that follow. Each passing day brings only doubts about herself and her marriage and yet more unanswered questions about Jack, along with the realization that there are others looking for Jack and the photograph -- including one fierce, silent killer who will not be stopped from finding his quarry, no matter who or what stands in his way.
When the police won’t help her, and neighbors and friends alike seem to have agendas of their own, she must confront the dark corners of her own tragic past to keep her children safe and learn the truth that might bring her husband home.
I don't know if hooks work universally -- I'm curious if you would have had the same reaction. After reading this, I was psyched to read this book and tell everyone about it after reading the first two paragraphs alone. Did it hook you?
Here's another example, from romance this time -- Mary Jo Putney's The Bargain:
To keep her fortune, a beautiful heiress impulsively weds a penniless officer dying of wounds received at Waterloo. But when the blasted man hasn't the grace to die, she suddenly finds herself with a healthy, vibrant husband who wants to renegotiate the terms of their bargain--and ultimately possess the heart of his bewildered bride...
I saw that, said, "He's alive? I have to read this book!"
What do you think of these blurbs? Did they work for you as hooks, or did they fail to grab you? Have any examples of books whose hook was so great you just had to read it? Have you ever thought of a hook first, and then built a book around it?
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50 comments:
Well, I usually write hooks first, some of which end up written, some don't... Your two examples of hooks both sound good. I don't know if I would have picked either of them up...but I agree they are good hooks. Maybe the Coben book...that's a premise that sounds interesting!
Hope to be checking in now and then over the next few days...but I'll think of the blog while admiring the Halloween decorates at DISNEYLAND!!!
I think I would pick up Harlan Corben's book after those first paragraphs too. Did you read it? I wanna know what happens!!
I am like you. A good blurb will make me pick something up. But I need more caffeine to come up with an example. :)
I think it especially works with suspense. I'm a notorious, "well, who did it!?!" reader. And I think it works really well when it references a plot device I love. A spinster wallflower historical, for example.
I haven't read any Harlan Coben books before, but this one kind of intrigues me -- plus I wanna know if Jack gets his ass back to his family. LOL
I'm trying to think of some blurbs but I've got to caffeinate myself a little more first. (We all know how little motor function I have before that!)
And I think a hook does kind of come to me first -- some intriguing nugget that makes me try to figure out what else goes with it and the story starts to blossom.
2nd - Disneyland!!!! I've never been to the CA one, but I'm sure you are going to have an amazing time.
The Harlan Coben book was awesome. Some major twists that I never saw coming. I just stumbled on to his books recently. They're thrillers, but not in the melodramatic, James Bond saving the world from evil domination sort of way. Just ordinary people doing ordinary things that snowball into something more sinister.
Marn - I'm the same way, and I think you may be right that hooks are easier in suspense, because you have the automatic "who done it?" factor that you don't necessarily have in, say, a regency.
I think part of the reason the Mary Jo Putney blurb worked so well for me is that arranged marriage is one of my favorite plots, and the way that she got herself stuck in one just seemed unique and so much fun to read about.
I like the Mary Jo Putney blurb partly because of the voice that comes through, like "when the blasted man hasn't the grace to die". LOL Obviously she's been very inconvenienced by this fact, but you know it's a humorous story from the word choice (or at least I would EXPECT it to be!)
So there may not be any suspense exactly, but I'm intrigued on how they "renegotiate" things. :)
plus I wanna know if Jack gets his ass back to his family. LOL
So I'm probably taking this analysis too far, but it's interesting you asked this question specifically, because this really was the primary question throughout the whole book - where the hell did Jack go, and is he coming back? This is the question Grace is trying to piece together, and it's not answered until the very end.
So not only did this blurb hook me, but that question stayed in my mind the entire time and kept me reading right up to the last page.
I've been revising my WIP, and this is something I've been working on -- what's the overreaching, central question? What's the question that is raised in the very first chapter (and hopefully the blurb) and answered in the very last chapter.
I'm actually commenting before noon. Can you believe it?!
I've heard lots of good things about Coben's books and about him being a gracious guy, but I wouldn't have picked up that book. Not my kind of story. But Putney had me at ...a healthy, vibrant husband who wants to renegotiate the terms of their bargain.... Does that book connect to others or can I just go get it? LOL!
Like the others before me, I need more coffee. But I'm going to think about this one. My problem is reading blurbs and excerpts on other blogs, when these authors are guests, and then I really want the book. That's how I found Barbara Monajem. Her blurb was so awesome, it made me want to read a vamp book. And that's really saying something.
Caffeine! Lucky pirates. I'm slowly sipping my one cup of the day, and even that makes the little Dude kick like crazy. But nothing is making me give up the one cup of coffee a day my doctor said I could have :)
I like the Mary Jo Putney blurb partly because of the voice that comes through, like “when the blasted man hasn’t the grace to die”. LOL Obviously she’s been very inconvenienced by this fact, but you know it’s a humorous story from the word choice (or at least I would EXPECT it to be!)
Yes! The voice does come through the blurb, and that's hard to pull off! So often it's just a run down of the first chapter's plot (i.e., the Coben blurb above *g*).
But Jocelyn (heroine) was so annoyed that this guy wouldn't die, but instead kept getting healthier (and sexier, of course). Hilarious!!!
Hal, I *knew* there was another reason I didn't want kids. LOL No WAY I'd give up coffee!
Ter - I don't think The Bargain is connected to any other books. At least, I read it as a stand-alone, and didn't notice I was missing anything *g*.
You gotta know a blurb rocks when it'll make you read a book you normally would never touch. I love that we can stumble onto whole new authors and sub-genres that way!
I've actually been a fan of Putney for years, but like about 20 other authors, haven't had the time to read her in forever. I think I'm down to maybe 6 or 7 books a year. Which makes me want to cry. But I'm nearly 60 puzzles into my sudoku book.
*sigh*
I'm a twit. LOL! (An addicted twit, that is.)
LOL Donna! I've already told the hubz that this is it. There will be no more pregnancies for me -- I've never been so physically miserable in my life, and I still have a couple weeks before I hit the third trimester where I've heard it really gets bad. Jeez! (I'm quite sure it'll all be worthwhile in the end, but in the meantime, I've turned into a major whiner!)
That's funny, Ter. I've been reading a lot recently, but it's rare for me. Mostly because I wasn't writing all summer, and sick, so I just gorged myself on books. It was excellent!
My hubz his a huge sudoku addict -- there's puzzle books scattered all over the house. For some reason, I've never gotten into it. It requires too much thinking for my taste. Instead, I'm addicted to this game called Peggle, which is no more complicated than watching a ball bounce off pegs all over your screen. It's perfect for me *g*
LOL, Hal -- I was on a Peggle addiction for a while. There's something so soothing about some of those computer games.
I've tried Sudoku once or twice, but the effort required to get a payoff is too much for me. LOL One of my other mottos: If it's delayed, it's not gratification LOL
I know not everyone is the same, but other than peeing 8 million times a day, the third trimester is much better than the others. Well, the 2nd was the best for me, but the third wasn't bad either.
the third trimester is much better than the others
Cross your fingers it is for me too. Frankly, anything that doesn't make me throw up another hundred times I'll be thrilled with.
Then I won't tell you that I only threw up once in the 9 months and I think that was more because the eggs were too greasy than anything else.
*ducks and runs*
If it’s delayed, it’s not gratification
I love this. And what is it about Peggle? I can play that thing for hours! Very soothing.
I'm not sure if this is everyone's pick, but this is where I would have bought it:
But later that night, while Grace lies in bed waiting, he drives away in the family’s minivan without an explanation, taking the photograph with him.
That is the exact sentence I guessed too.
But nothing is making me give up the one cup of coffee a day my doctor said I could have
*LOL* I love it. Exactly!!
I remember when my sister got pregnant, and we're all massive soda--PEPSI--drinkers in the family, and she couldn't drink Pepsi. It made her so ill, she couldn't drink it for months, maybe years, after she had that kid. (That kid is still not my favorite niece, just FYI.) I remember thinking, "I never want to have kids if I can't drink Pepsi."
I remember our radio station had a little staff Christmas dinner and the owner's alcoholic son, who worked with us and had clearly been dropped on his head as a child - A LOT - said, "You can't drink? I don't know what I'd do if someone told me I couldn't drink everyday."
This was said with a complete straight face and the moron had no idea that was not normal. Thankfully, my normal drink of choice back them was water, just like today, and I wasn't a coffee drinker.
Then I won’t tell you that I only threw up once in the 9 months and I think that was more because the eggs were too greasy than anything else.
Stop sharing that shit. Do you want to be shanked in the night?
Where has the little captcha code gone? Who got rid of it because NOW I am inundated with comments waiting for approval about "sex toys" and "buy my product now" crap who keep telling me my blog name is "great!" It is not my intent to block my own crew from leaving a comment--which the code seemed to be doing--but neither do I have time to spam comments from [BLEEP-BLEEP-BLEEEP] who think my blog is great to promote their stupid illegal product that no one wants.
*pauses*
I'm in a bad mood today. I may start ranting about jackhammers next, so brace yourself.
Sin took that code off last week. I'm still not sure how she did it.
But as I continually said, if you SIGN IN then you don't get a captcha code.
Lazy damn pirates...
I put the Captcha back on.
Thank you.
SIN: Sign in! *LOL*
The signing in and no CAPTCHA does not apply to non-pirates--or maybe it's just that it doesn't apply to me.
I avoid thrillers as a rule, so the Harlan Coben wouldn't work for me, although my brother is a major fan and keeps giving me his books. I read The Bargain in its first incarnation as The Would-Be Widow, a trad regency and in its revised state as The Bargain. I loved it. Of course, I read everything MJP writes, so just her name on the cover is all that's needed to hook me.
Great discussion, pirates. Nope, not on the road yet. Within the hour! I must admit, the 'didn't have the grace to die' got me!
And heaven forbid the captain should have to wade through penil enlargement spam! ;-)
No one should have to wade through that, Chance. LOL!
Janga - I do apologize, signing in does only apply to the crew members. Let me see if I can change that.
This is one of Putney's reprints? I'm so behind the times, but then you knew that.
I'm back -- Ter, yeah, you better duck and run!
Hellie - Yep, that's the exact sentence that got me. The fact that he bolts hooked me like few books have.
Janga - I didn't realize either that The Bargain was a re-print. I haven't read a lot of MJP, but I adored this book. I'll definitely have to track down more of her!
The Bargain isn't a reprint, y'all. It's a revision. MJP revised four of her traditional Regencies and turned them into longer European Historicals. The Would-Be Widow became The Bargain, The Controversial Countess became Petals in the Storm(Fallen Angels #2), The Rake and the Reformer became The Rake, and The Rogue and the Runaway became Angel Rogue (Fallen Angels #4).
The Rake is one of the classics in historical romance, Hal, and her Fallen Angels series is one I have reread a dozen times. Lovers of action tales mighr prefer her Silk trilogy or The China Bride, which was optioned as a movie--although nothing ever came of it. One of her few contemporaries, The Spiral Path is also an incredible book, one of the most emotional reads I've read. I realize this post is a reminder that fan is a shortened form of fanatic. :)
Ter, it's very little trouble to type the CAPTCHA code. It just drives mt crazy when I do so, and it eats my deathless prose. LOL!
I'm back and everyone's quiet for a hot second so I've got a few comments....
Chance - have fun in Disney!!
Ter - curse you and your easy third trimester. I was the size of a barge. Tires, sweaty, couldn't breathe or move. I would go places and complete strangers would inundate me with pitiful looks and "you poor dears" and "How far past your due date are yous?" when I still had over a month to go. Awful.
To all: I know I can sign in and avoid the captcha code but I'm too damn lazy. Pirate.
*Marnee, who still isn't signed in, captcha code 83ss
Oh, and Hal, I knew I could have a cup of coffee during pregnancy but it tasted like charcoal in my mouth (Or what I expected charcoal to taste like with the lighter fluid added).
But now, 3 months post-partum, I'm drinking the stuff like a fish again. Ahhh... bliss.
*Marnee, who STILL hasn't signed in, captcha code MTHY
I haven't read any MJPs, but maybe I need to give it a shot.... She's a little more descriptive than I usually like, I think, but maybe I need to give her another go.
4bsb
Thanks for the clarification Janga - that's good to know that it was rewritten and revised, not just a new cover and title slapped on. Now I want to read The Would-be Widow to see how much was changed!
Marn - I got lucky. Coffee actually settles my stomach like few other things. I've been gulping decaf after my one regular cup because it's just so damn good :)
The Bargain might be the only MJP book I've read. For some reason, I really struggle to keep regency writers separate in my head. I can never remember who I like and who I don't until I read another book of theirs. What I *should* do is a keep a list, so I know what I've read, what I thought of it, and if it's an author I'd like to read more of.
But that sounds like a lot of work. And we're pirates. LAZY!!!
I went through the trouble of buying Putney's entire Fallen Angels series on eBay about ten or more years ago. Didn't even realize I'd bought them from the UK. Haven't ever read them.
HOW THE HELL DOES THAT HAPPEN?!
Marn - I was huge, I just didn't feel too horrible. I was a giant ball of water. Couldn't hardly get my shoes on, nevermind actually tie them. Doc told me to keep my feet up. Right, I was still working full time. In fact, I went to work the day my water broke. LOL!
Oooh, I'm a lazy pirate! I just got back from a nice lunch at a Mexican restaurant and now I need to take a siesta. :)
I didn't realize the MJP books were revisions. I read all her books back when she was writing traditional Regencies, although I think I remember a medieval where the heroine was a captive. (Why I can remember this kind of stuff but can't remember to bring the grocery list with me to the store. . .LOL)
Oh yes. These are the things I want to hear :) I'm just now noticing my center of gravity changing. I can't imagine how bad it's going to get. lol.
You will eventually waddle. And tip easier. LOL! Forget about seeing or dealing with your feet for months. At least you'll have cooler weather. Mine was born mid July...in Arkansas. And we all know how Marn suffered this summer. At least you get to be huge during the winter months. LOL!
I went through the trouble of buying Putney’s entire Fallen Angels series on eBay about ten or more years ago. Didn’t even realize I’d bought them from the UK. Haven’t ever read them.
HOW THE HELL DOES THAT HAPPEN?!
No idea, but it does seem to happen a lot with you.
With me, it happens a lot with all the history books I buy. I have a lovely collection of books about pirates, the Revolutionary War, the West, and Puritans. Haven't read one of them all the way through.
Yeah, I won't be at my biggest until after Christmas. Weather-wise, it will be amazing :)
No idea, but it does seem to happen a lot with you.
LMAO!!!
This time it's weirder because my life didn't used to be this chaotic and crazy. I used to read A LOT. And when I bought these, I was still reading a couple books in a weekend. I get it now, but I can't explain it for back then.
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