- WHY IS IT NEEDED?
HOW TO CREATE IT: FOUR HOOKS THAT WORK FOR KIDS
- 1) Overworked editors (must hook them immediately!)
- 2) Kid readers: A new generation. Lots competing for their attention; live their lives in "Sound Bites"
- 1) The Hook of Compelling Events
Start with INTERESTING ACTION. Ask yourself: What is my main character's problem? Where can I start to get this in right away? It's best if your story question is introduced right away. (Or, in some cases, another, but related and intriguing problem.)- 2)The Hook of Character, Voice
A REAL CHARACTER (as in believable, sympathetic; one your reader will care about immediately.)
Do the work of characterization; bios, character charts, character interviews, dreaming, etc. AND THE MAGIC WILL HAPPEN. It's important to have an INTERESTING CHARACTER in order for the character voice to be strong, enjoyable. A STRONG VOICE is a combination of WHO YOU ARE and WHO YOUR CHARACTER IS. The more easily you use story technique, the more likely the VOICE or STYLE will come through clearly, like light through a clear window pane.- 3) The Hook of Setting, Atmosphere
To work for a children's book this usually needs to be a highly unusual setting, presented emotionally (with a definite tone: ie, mysterious, ominous) This kind of hook may work well for Science fiction or fantasy.- 4) The Hook of Striking Language
This may be a startling presentation of sensory elements, strong nouns and verbs and/or a dialect or voice that is startling in itself. (see the opening of Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli. An example of the hook of striking language in a picture book is Kinda Blue, by Ann Grifalconi.One final note: A good opening hook not only pulls in your reader, but also points the direction (orients your reader). Check your opening hook for the 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When and Why.