Do Violence to Your Reader, Part I: Hook ‘Em on the Way In! by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

I love running across new tools, don't you? Hey fellow writers, Annette here. This summer Jill Elizabeth Nelson published the most useful book on deep point of view that I've ever read. I've used it in my own writing, told my clients about it, and recommended it over and over. She's here for the month of August to share a series on point of view with us. Enjoy!

Part I: Hook ‘Em on the Way In!

by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Imagine a fish eyeing a tasty morsel dangling on the end of your fishing line. If you jig that treat just right . . . it strikes! Now the fish is on the hook, and you can reel it in, taking the creature exactly where you want it to go. A hook in a story works much the same way. With every individual scene and chapter, a writer must present a tasty morsel in such a way that the reader is compelled to follow your story wherever you want to take them. A dull hook will lose a potential reader within a paragraph or two, or even a line or two.

Readers who seek primarily to feed their intellect or to gain information will pick up a work of non-fiction. Readers who buy novels are hungry primarily for an emotionally resonant experience that satisfies them at gut level. This emotionally resonant experience hinges on maintaining and escalating tension moment-by-moment throughout the story, but especially in the opening lines of each and every chapter and scene.

Here is an opening hook that does NOT work. (Don’t worry. It’s not from anyone’s published book.) Why does this hook not work? Ask yourself if this opening contains any element that communicates tension or emotion.

Hayley Jones walked off the plane and onto the tarmac of the small airport.

Certainly, the sentence conveys vital information—the name of the character, what the character is doing and where; however, information minus emotion equals stagnation. There is no hint of a story here to intrigue us to read on!

Here is an opening that works in one simple line. (Again, not from a published book.) Why does it work? (Hint: is there any word choice that evokes emotion or tension?)

Aimee huddled in the corner of the room.

This line contains all of the informational elements from the line that didn’t work—the character’s name, what the character is doing and where—but it also captures that all-important element of tension, as well as suggesting the emotion of fear. Someone huddled in the corner of a room cannot be in a good situation, and the reader will crave to know more. There are a gazillion different directions a writer can take the story from here, but the reader is hooked and will avidly follow where the story leads.

Here is your assignment:

Pick up one of your favorite novels and find at least one scene or chapter opening that hooks you and evaluate why the hook works. Remember our keys to effective hooks—tension and emotion.

~~~~~

Award-winning author and writing teacher, Jill Elizabeth Nelson, writes what she likes to read—tales of adventure seasoned with romance, humor, and faith. Jill is a popular speaker for conferences, writers groups, library associations, and civic and church groups. She delights to bring the “Ah-ah! Moment” to her students as they make new skills their own. Her handbook for writers, Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View, is now available at Amazon (see links below). 

Connect with Jill:

Website: www.jillelizabethnelson.com  

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JillElizabethNelson.Author 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JillElizNelson.

(print version)      (eBook version)

A Veteran Writer’s Ongoing Journey by Irene Hannon

A writer’s journey doesn’t necessarily get easier after being published—or even after being multi-published. Nothing is guaranteed. Today on Seriously Write, author Irene Hannon shares personal experiences and how she tackled new challenges in her writing career. Enjoy! ~ Dawn

A Veteran Writer’s Ongoing Journey

by Irene Hannon

I guess you could call me a veteran writer. I’ve been published for 20+ years and just saw the fabulous cover for my 40th novel, Vanished (January 2013).

Yet four years ago, after 26 books, a RITA award and various other honors, I found myself once again classified a newbie when I decided to expand from contemporary category romance into single-title, trade-length novels.

Let me tell you—that was a big surprise. I had no idea breaking out of category was going to be so tough. Or that I would essentially be starting all over. But the hard truth was, very few people in the single-title, trade-paperback world had ever heard of category-writer Irene Hannon.

My first effort, a longer contemporary romance, drew little interest. So I tucked the manuscript away in a drawer, hoping to sell it someday down the road. (And I’m delighted to report that day seems to be fast approaching!)

When I couldn’t sell that book back then, I decided to try my hand at a different genre. Since my Nancy Drew days, I’ve been a fan of suspense. In fact, my very first novel (novella, really), was a romantic suspense. I still have it; it’s in the deepest, darkest corner of my closet—where it shall forever remain. To put it delicately, the book stunk. My writing in those days was unpolished and I had no law enforcement or military background—nor was there an internet to consult. (We’re talking the dark ages here.)

But this time when I tackled suspense, I had my ducks in a row. I’d polished my writing. Established publishing industry contacts. Lined up amazing sources in law enforcement and other professions. And even though my original intent was to write one book, two more hunky FBI characters appeared, begging me to tell their stories. So without even a nibble from a publisher, and in between category commitments, I took the plunge and wrote the entire Heroes of Quantico series on spec. Kind of like newbie writers do when they’re trying to break into the published ranks.

I’m happy to report my gamble paid off. All three of those books became best sellers. They garnered two RITA nominations and a RITA win, as well as a Daphne du Maurier award. So far—fingers crossed!—all the books in my second, series (Guardians of Justice) have been best sellers, too. And one of them (Deadly Pursuit) is up for a RITA as I write this. The third book, Lethal Legacy, has just been released.

So what does all this mean? Simple. When spreading your wings, perseverance, risk-taking and a belief in your own talent is as important to multi-published authors as it is to the unpublished. My experience also reminded me that while nothing about this business is easy or guaranteed, if you want something badly enough you can find a way to make it happen. But it takes work—homework, groundwork and hard work.

I’m glad I made the effort!

Click to reach Amazon.

Irene Hannon is the author of more than 35 novels, including the bestselling Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, a HOLT Medallion, a Daphne du Maurier Award and two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. Booklist also included one of her novels in its “Top 10 Inspirational Fiction” list for 2011. She lives in Missouri.

To learn more, please visit Irene’s website: www.irenehannon.com

The Publishing Type by Jordyn Redwood

I don’t know if this is true for your business, but in medicine, there are definitely types. Recently, I was sitting at the nurse’s station with several of my co-workers when this discussion came up. It is easy to tell if a nurse is going to make it in the ER within the first few shifts of their orientation. There is a certain attitude, work ethic, and demeanor that are likely consistent among ER nurses across the country.


Several experiences have led me to believe that there may also be a publishing type and I’m curious to know what others think. I’ve been quite surprised at some authorly discussions of late and wondered how there could even be controversy… yet, there is. What follows are qualities I think a writer needs to possess in order to seek publication. Notice, I didn’t say write. Anyone, literally, can put pen to paper and write. This is taking your hope, your dream, to the next level.

1. Must love to read. This discussion has been raging over at a marketing loop of authors I follow. Several have complained that there are actual people who think they can craft a novel but hate reading. I find this problematic on several levels. First, I think writing is born from an enjoyment of reading. Your pulse has pounded at an author’s musings and you wonder if you could pull off such a feat. You’ll need to read extensively in the genre you hope to publish in if for no other reason than to know what’s being published. Reading in other genres will help your writing grow. Next, will be reading agent/editor’s submission guidelines. Really, the reading list is extensive.
2. Must be able to multitask. Consider the following if you’re blessed enough to get a multi-book contract. Researching your next series, writing one book, and editing one (or more) novels at one time. Add to that blogging at several sites and developing your marketing strategy for your novel when it is released. Oh, and then there is likely your family, church and full-time job to add into the mix. What else should be on this list?
3. Be able to organize. See #2.
4. Must be able to follow direction. Agents and editors lament often about getting material they just don’t need or didn’t request. This is a waste of their time and you don’t want to be the thorn in their heel. If they ask for a one page synopsis—that’s what they actually mean and it’s not open for your interpretation. It’s not a challenge from them to you to get them to change their mind. The ability to do this will aid a lot in your developing a well-respected, professional reputation.
5. You know how much more you need to learn. A continual love for learning is definitely a must if pursuing publication. I know I had a minor heart attack when my agent asked me for a book proposal. What is that?!? Recently, I was having coffee with a good friend of mine who is also a writer and we were talking about the current state of our relative manuscripts. Needless to say, we both wanted to shred them at the time. I said to her, “You know, the more I write, the more I know how much more I need to learn.” Do you feel this way? Did you feel that way after your first book was published? I think I buy more books now on the writing craft than ever before.

What are your thoughts? What qualities do you see in those who have successfully navigated the publishing road? Which would you take off my list?

Jordyn Redwood is a pediatric ER nurse by day, suspense novelist by night. She hosts Redwood’s Medical Edge, a blog devoted to helping contemporary and historical authors write medically accurate fiction. Her debut novel,Proof, has been endorsed by the likes of Dr. Richard Mabry, Lynette Eason, and Mike Dellosso to name a few. You can connect with Jordyn via her website at www.jordynredwood.net.

Proof: Dr. Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a serial rapist. Believing it's the only way to recover her reputation and secure peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find--and punish--her assailant. Sporting a mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can she prove he is guilty, if science says he is not?

O's Seven Rules for Nice E-mailing

Happy Wednesday, my writing friends,

Have you ever miscommunicated in an e-mail? Nothing's worse than coming across bossy, upset, or sarcastic when you're not trying to. Since e-mails, and now social network messaging, make up a big part of a writers' communications (after all, we ARE good typists!), let's figure out how to handle our words so no one gets hurt.

1. Greetings and Salutations 
Especially if initiating an e-mail, start with a greeting. "Hey O," works great when writing me. When I'm communicating with fellow writers, I often use, "Hi, Net." For a more professional note, "Dear Ms. Frederick." This may seem nit-picky, but a simple hello creates a less terse and demanding tone.

Note: After the first e-mail, it's okay to pop back and forth without greetings, don't you think? As long as a it's not needed to avoid confusion.

2. Don't Skip the Warm-Up
In sales, that period before the actual sales pitch begins is called the warm-up. It's when a good salesman takes a sincere interest in the client. If a salesman rushes it, he comes across uncaring and rude. For e-mails, the warm-up can be as short as, "Can you believe we've had two sunny days in a row?" Or for a more formal relationship, "Good afternoon, I hope your week is going well."

This small gesture let's the recipient know you think of her as a living and breathing person, not just another computer, or someone you want something from.

3. Be Friendly
Please! It seems some folks think it's okay to be bossy in e-mail. I assume they're just in git-her-done mode, perhaps rushed, overloaded with a full to-do list, but I don't want to bear the brunt of that. It's what I'm always telling my kids, "Just be nice. That's all I ask."

4. Smilies, LOLs, and IMHO
I know these can be annoying, but especially if trying to explain something that could sound demanding, Use them! And let's not forget our pleases and thank yous.

Compare: Send me that file ASAP.

With: Could you please send me that file ASAP? I'd appreciate it. :)

Wouldn't you rather get the second e-mail? It took me only a few seconds to add the extra nice-ness.

Note: Of course if it's a formal e-mail, don't add the smilies, but still say please and thank you.

5. Keep it Short

6. Bullets
Long, paragraphed e-mails presume on the recipient's time. If you have a lot to say, bullet your points to aid scanning.

7. Temper, Temper!
If I have to write an emotionally sensitive e-mail, I do three things. First, pray for God to guide my words and heart. Second, read it out loud. If a note of frustration accidentally slipped out, I catch it. Third, wait. Let it sit a while. When I get back to it, I'm in a better frame of mind to judge my tone.

I try to remember that I'm an ambassador of Christ in all my writing--even e-mails. I'm always asking for Him to use me, maybe a kind e-mail is just what someone will need.

God bless and happy writing,
Ocieanna





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