*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.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Great advice!:
I always have a multitude of ideas, but I have yet to be good at knowing how to write that story effectively so that the readers and the editors are, well, "hooked". Like many aspiring writers, I have read many writing books. There are a ton of writing books out there that focus on tapping into your creativity, and while I love those books, too, this book is exactly what I was looking for. Les delves deep into the anatomy of a story, helping me immensely with putting my ideas on paper. Great book, and a... more info
A big help:
It's not only for improving the beginning of ones story but also reveals structure. This is a top notch book.
Beginnings:
This is a great little book. It's a small format and there was less to it than I expected. However, what there is, is great. The simple message, is hammered home - if you don't get the beginning right what chance the rest? The book is written with an easy, almost conversational, style but for me that's a plus. A final section in which editors and publishers give their views on what makes for a good beginning is instructional. If you're serious about your writing and want to be published (don't we all!) I... more info
Fantastic Writing Resource:
Even though I've only read the first 60 or so pages I really feel that this is one of the best books on writing in the market today. I'm well...hooked! There are a lot of books out there on the writing craft, but none that explain the crucial difference between surface problems and story worthy problems in as much intricate detail as this one does. I agree with the author that the writing classes of today are stuck way in the past, putting too much emphasis on description and characterization.... more info
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