How Not To Write A Hook by Kayelle Allen

Today’s post is a little gem I discovered on the Marketing For Romance Writer loops. I thought it had great info, so with Kayelle’s gracious permission, let’s see what not to do when writing a hook.

How Not To Write A Hook by Kayelle Allen

Writing the sentence that’s intended to grab your reader’s attention is a delicate business. It must contain enough of the story to interest readers, but not so much it tells them the entire tale. It must make readers curious without frustrating them. There are plenty of workshops on how to write hooks, and how to make them tight and full of punch.

This little tip sheet is on what *not* to do.

1. Don’t ask a yes or no question, especially in a Romance where the ending is likely to be a happy-ever-after.

• Will Molly and Dan overcome their differences and fall in love? (Yes.)
• When John and Bob face prejudice, will their love survive? (Yes.)
• Can love overturn the evil curse of an angry demigod? (Yes.)
• Are these questions boring? (Yes.)
• Would you pick up these books? (No.)

2. Don’t tell the reader the ending of the book.

• Will their passion be rekindled when Ted and Randy meet at their high school reunion? (Boy meets boy – again.)
• Will destiny intervene between three lovers, or will they be doomed to live apart forever? (Destiny will have its way.)
• Can bodyguard Billy win Sue’s love when he protects her from the mob? (Warrior defends maiden plot.)

3. These questions use words like will, when, and can. This framework requires only a yes/no answer.

• Can you open the jar?
• Will you attend the play?
• When you arrive will you sit with me?

Try framing your hook in the form of a question that has options rather than a simple affirmative or negative response. Here are two hooks, first framed as yes/no, and then framed as an open-ended question.

When duty, honor, and partner collide, can John keep Sam’s heart?
When duty, honor, and partner collide, what will John do to keep Sam’s heart?

When every part of Bob’s job makes him seem unfaithful, can Bob keep Mary’s trust?
How can Bob keep Mary’s trust, when every part of his job makes him seem unfaithful?

A hook should make the reader wonder rather than answer their question. In a happy-ever-after world, the yes/no questions are obvious. Don’t
assume your reader will expect a Happy-For-Now, or a bittersweet ending. Hooks that make readers think “Yeah, how do they do that?” are the ones
that sell books.

Kayelle Allen
Unstoppable heroes, Uncompromising love, Unforgettable passion
Author of Surrender Love, the Antonello Brothers Khyff and Senth , and more

http://kayelleallen.com