Let's Talk Hookers...
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It's the Hookers and Hangers Blog hop!
And no, you won't be going to jail for participating. I promise ;)
A hook in literary terms is the opening line or lines that is supposed to draw a reader in, make them want to stick around for um about 75,000 more words.
A hanger is the last few lines in the chapter.
You know when you're watching tv and the last line before the commercial is like, "Father Flanigan, why are you holding that gun?" Well...that's the hanger...or the reason you'll want to hurry back from that kitchen/bathroom...but in a book, it's the reason to start the next chapter...which will be started with a hook and will end with a hanger.
(Now you know, it is an orchestrated, evil conspiracy to keep turning pages until we say, THE END.)
Today, we're doing hooks; Wednesday will be hangers. But sorry, no explanation of stories in between.
I've taken opening lines from three different stories. The first is from Past Due, my recently released novel from World Castle. Past Due is the first in a three book series chronicling the handsome...oh heck, let's just call them studly, Coulter men. The second hook is from Healing Summer, which is to be released in the next few months and the third from the final story (which is still a WIP, or work in progress) and is yet to be officially titled.
Hook #1
The slap, slap of the wipers now brought a rhythmic calm. Jenna loosened her grip on the steering wheel as she passed under the last red light in Avon, North Carlolina.
Hook #2
Craig Coulter drifted through his party with one thought…he should have kept the damn fish.
Hook #3
Jane’s brush whipped round the smooth curves of the porcelain bowl. Swish, swish, flush. Good enough…at least for today.
Later gators...see you Wednesday for the hangers!
I love Hook number 2! It made me laugh because I really wasn't expecting the sentence to end that way!
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite too. :)
DeleteThe last one reminds me I need to clean the bathrooms today. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat first lines.
LOL...that's why #3 is still a work in progress. Doubt very seriously that first line remains.
DeleteTwo is my favorite. As Kyra said, the thought was totally unexpected.
ReplyDeleteThanks.n Some characters make it easy on me, ya know?
Delete# two is definitely my favorite! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa!!
DeleteToilet bowl one was fun!
ReplyDeleteYou like the toilet bowl one? Now, I'm conflicted bc I have mad respect for your opinion! (It was going to get the cut.)
DeleteWow! I really, really like all of these. Your visuals are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you very much!!!
DeleteI can't wait to read this. I bought it last week on amazon. :) I love that it's set in the OBX.
ReplyDeleteIt's my happy place Amber! Thanks for buying, I pinky swear I'll buy yours when it's for sale. :)
DeleteLove #2! So funny! Now I'm wondering all about the fish :)
ReplyDeleteTruthfully, the fish has a very minor role ;)
DeleteI'm so glad I can just go read this. Great hookers, lady!
ReplyDeleteI'm good with hookers...couldn't resist bwa ha ha!!
DeleteI love the second one. I want to know why he should've kept the fish. :p
ReplyDeleteBecause it would have been tasty, of course! :)
Delete#2 is great and #3 really has me wondering. Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to read your hangers.
ReplyDeleteMe too! This hop sure has put them under the microscope!
DeleteYou're a natural!!! Love all 3!
ReplyDeleteAnd you're sweet as usual! I wish every editor and agent thought like you did! :)
DeleteNumber two is your best.
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda partial to #2 also.
DeleteYour first and last lines are oddly similar. I your second hooker the best. Fun!
ReplyDeleteNeither one had powerful single sentence openers...they had that in common. :)
DeleteGreat lines! I LOVE the second one especially!
ReplyDeleteThanks. #2 seems to be the clear front runner!
DeleteHa! Well done. I really liked #3. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear! I think it's definitely an unusual opening...can't think of any other books with a fresh toilet starting the tale!
DeleteI like the way your first lines also bring out a bigger picture. Great job.
ReplyDeleteThanks. That's quite a compliment. :)
DeleteHook #2 is my favourite. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI like the surprise of #2 also.
DeleteHaha. I'm Jane! Swish, swish. Good enough :)
ReplyDeleteBut all of these are good. They're simple, yet paint a very vivid picture. :)
Thanks Kelly! I do try to keep my writing simple. I just want to entertain, not give the reader brain cramps!
DeleteAll three are great... the second one made me laugh... I want to know more about this fish:)
ReplyDeleteThat fish has everybody talking...lol.
DeleteYeah, that fish ....
ReplyDeleteYep, one fish can make a big stink...lol...it's after 4; I couldn't resist!
DeleteI want to know more about the fish too! Maybe it's a nice big one he caught and then threw back?
ReplyDeleteYep, a nice big rainbow trout!
DeleteHook two is fantastic, I'm very interested to know what the deal with the first is. Excellent stuff, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Clare!
DeleteI would like to know why Craig wanted to keep the fish! This was my choice.
ReplyDeleteHe let it go out of the kindness of his heart and quickly regrets his graciousness when he's greeted by a surprise party.
DeleteI want to know more about that fish!
ReplyDeleteRainbow trout...a good couple of pounds at least. :)
Deletethe second is the winner by far! want to hear more about that guy & the fish!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very popular fish. :)
DeleteYou've posted #2 before, haven't you? Either that or I've been here before and forgotten... oh, please let it be the first option, I'm too young for memory lapses! :-0
ReplyDeleteAnd I've popped back to say I've given you an award on my blog, please come over and check it out :-)
DeleteYes, I posted the whole paragraph for the magic 8 ball meme, so you are not going senile. :)
DeleteThanks for the award. Can'y wait to check it out!
#2 definitely makes me the most curious :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. Now I have to run to your blog and see what the 1000th monkey is!
DeleteHooker #2 is my favourite. Congrats for your published book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheena!
DeleteI liked them all so much I don't know if I could pick just one:)
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful problem to have!
DeleteI love all three of these!! They all have wonderful flow and tone. Would definitely keep me reading :D
ReplyDeleteThanks. Good to hear that!
DeleteI really like your openings, all of which make me want to read more. Especially now that I know the Coulters can be called...studly. Woo! hehe
ReplyDeleterich+handsome=studly any old day...hehe!
DeleteThe rhythm and flow of the writing is amazing.... The prose is excellent! This is not 'hooky' hooky like flash and bangs, but I would DEFINITELY read on. This is incredibly well written! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you seems lame; how about eternally grateful? And I think you're awesome!
DeleteHook #2 sounds soooo much better now, and don't call me Mr. Koopmans... seriously, the only people that call me that are the cops and/or the FBI....
ReplyDeleteOh... is that bad?
As long as it isn't INS coming to take ye away, then it's all good...Mr. Mark!
DeleteHook 2 has me very curious. :-D
ReplyDeleteAnd that's the goal, so yay!!
DeleteThank you for the lovely comment about my hook. My WIP has been *frustrating* as I suppose you can imagine. I liked the second hook a lot. I definitely wondered why he was thinking about a fish at a party....
ReplyDeleteEspecially curious about number 2. Good job with these!
ReplyDelete