Let's Talk Hookers...

2:23 AM Elizabeth Seckman 73 Comments

Click Here for Official Blog Hop Info

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!






73 comments:

  1. Kyra LennonJuly 16, 2012 at 3:00 AM

    I love Hook number 2! It made me laugh because I really wasn't expecting the sentence to end that way!

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  2. StinaJuly 16, 2012 at 7:19 AM

    The last one reminds me I need to clean the bathrooms today. :)

    Great first lines.

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 16, 2012 at 10:52 AM

      LOL...that's why #3 is still a work in progress. Doubt very seriously that first line remains.

      Delete
  3. SuziJuly 16, 2012 at 8:41 AM

    Two is my favorite. As Kyra said, the thought was totally unexpected.

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 16, 2012 at 10:52 AM

      Thanks.n Some characters make it easy on me, ya know?

      Delete
  4. Lisa ReganJuly 16, 2012 at 10:49 AM

    # two is definitely my favorite! Well done!

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  5. Emily R. KingJuly 16, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    Toilet bowl one was fun!

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 16, 2012 at 12:24 PM

      You like the toilet bowl one? Now, I'm conflicted bc I have mad respect for your opinion! (It was going to get the cut.)

      Delete
  6. Jennie BennettJuly 16, 2012 at 12:05 PM

    Wow! I really, really like all of these. Your visuals are fantastic!

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  7. AmberJuly 16, 2012 at 12:15 PM

    I can't wait to read this. I bought it last week on amazon. :) I love that it's set in the OBX.

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 16, 2012 at 12:27 PM

      It's my happy place Amber! Thanks for buying, I pinky swear I'll buy yours when it's for sale. :)

      Delete
  8. Hope RobersonJuly 16, 2012 at 12:36 PM

    Love #2! So funny! Now I'm wondering all about the fish :)

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  9. Cassie MaeJuly 16, 2012 at 12:51 PM

    I'm so glad I can just go read this. Great hookers, lady!

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 16, 2012 at 1:08 PM

      I'm good with hookers...couldn't resist bwa ha ha!!

      Delete
  10. Kela McClellandJuly 16, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    I love the second one. I want to know why he should've kept the fish. :p

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  11. Jenny S. MorrisJuly 16, 2012 at 4:16 PM

    #2 is great and #3 really has me wondering. Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to read your hangers.

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    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 17, 2012 at 1:26 AM

      Me too! This hop sure has put them under the microscope!

      Delete
  12. Leigh CovingtonJuly 16, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    You're a natural!!! Love all 3!

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 17, 2012 at 1:27 AM

      And you're sweet as usual! I wish every editor and agent thought like you did! :)

      Delete
  13. Martin WilloughbyJuly 16, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    Number two is your best.

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  14. Melodie WrightJuly 16, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    Your first and last lines are oddly similar. I your second hooker the best. Fun!

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 17, 2012 at 1:28 AM

      Neither one had powerful single sentence openers...they had that in common. :)

      Delete
  15. Kimberly GabrielJuly 16, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    Great lines! I LOVE the second one especially!

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  16. Rachel SchieffelbeinJuly 16, 2012 at 8:10 PM

    Ha! Well done. I really liked #3. :)

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 17, 2012 at 1:32 AM

      Glad to hear! I think it's definitely an unusual opening...can't think of any other books with a fresh toilet starting the tale!

      Delete
  17. RenaJuly 16, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    I like the way your first lines also bring out a bigger picture. Great job.

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  18. JeannetteJuly 16, 2012 at 10:23 PM

    Hook #2 is my favourite. Cheers!

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  19. Kelley LynnJuly 16, 2012 at 11:23 PM

    Haha. I'm Jane! Swish, swish. Good enough :)

    But all of these are good. They're simple, yet paint a very vivid picture. :)

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 17, 2012 at 1:35 AM

      Thanks Kelly! I do try to keep my writing simple. I just want to entertain, not give the reader brain cramps!

      Delete
  20. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012 at 3:02 AM

    All three are great... the second one made me laugh... I want to know more about this fish:)

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  21. roxanne s. sukhanJuly 17, 2012 at 3:26 AM

    Yeah, that fish ....

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    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 17, 2012 at 4:07 AM

      Yep, one fish can make a big stink...lol...it's after 4; I couldn't resist!

      Delete
  22. Nick WilfordJuly 17, 2012 at 5:13 AM

    I want to know more about the fish too! Maybe it's a nice big one he caught and then threw back?

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  23. ClareJuly 17, 2012 at 5:49 AM

    Hook two is fantastic, I'm very interested to know what the deal with the first is. Excellent stuff, thanks for sharing.

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  24. UnknownJuly 17, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    I would like to know why Craig wanted to keep the fish! This was my choice.

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    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 17, 2012 at 11:37 AM

      He let it go out of the kindness of his heart and quickly regrets his graciousness when he's greeted by a surprise party.

      Delete
  25. Lynn(e) SchmidtJuly 17, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    I want to know more about that fish!

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 17, 2012 at 11:37 AM

      Rainbow trout...a good couple of pounds at least. :)

      Delete
  26. Tara TylerJuly 17, 2012 at 12:02 PM

    the second is the winner by far! want to hear more about that guy & the fish!

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  27. Annalisa CrawfordJuly 17, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    You'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

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    1. Annalisa CrawfordJuly 17, 2012 at 5:31 PM

      And I've popped back to say I've given you an award on my blog, please come over and check it out :-)

      Delete
    2. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 17, 2012 at 11:07 PM

      Yes, I posted the whole paragraph for the magic 8 ball meme, so you are not going senile. :)

      Thanks for the award. Can'y wait to check it out!

      Delete
  28. 1000th.monkeyJuly 17, 2012 at 7:31 PM

    #2 definitely makes me the most curious :)

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 17, 2012 at 11:08 PM

      Thanks. Now I have to run to your blog and see what the 1000th monkey is!

      Delete
  29. Sheena-kay GrahamJuly 17, 2012 at 10:24 PM

    Hooker #2 is my favourite. Congrats for your published book.

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  30. DeanaJuly 18, 2012 at 12:12 AM

    I liked them all so much I don't know if I could pick just one:)

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  31. Amanda OlivieriJuly 18, 2012 at 12:49 AM

    I love all three of these!! They all have wonderful flow and tone. Would definitely keep me reading :D

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  32. TrishaJuly 18, 2012 at 2:37 AM

    I 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

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  33. SC AuthorJuly 18, 2012 at 2:48 AM

    The 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!

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 18, 2012 at 8:46 AM

      Thank you seems lame; how about eternally grateful? And I think you're awesome!

      Delete
  34. Mark KoopmansJuly 18, 2012 at 2:53 AM

    Hook #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....

    Oh... is that bad?

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    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanJuly 18, 2012 at 8:47 AM

      As long as it isn't INS coming to take ye away, then it's all good...Mr. Mark!

      Delete
  35. Misha GerrickJuly 18, 2012 at 5:44 AM

    Hook 2 has me very curious. :-D

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  36. RobinJuly 18, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    Thank 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....

    ReplyDelete
  37. A.L. SonnichsenJuly 19, 2012 at 2:26 AM

    Especially curious about number 2. Good job with these!

    ReplyDelete

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