The reading market is becoming increasingly global, and electronic books make the world even smaller. With websites open 24/7 for immediate download, a reader in Singapore or Australia could order while those in other places are asleep, and viceversa. This means that as the readers are becoming increasingly diverse, so too are the authors. And just because many of us share the same language, we don’t all speak it the same way.
Which creates a problem for authors and publishers alike. Does an author follow her home/native language, or does she follow the language conventions of the publisher’s location? And if the story is based in a third location, does the author follow that country’s language style instead?
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Last week I talked about scene sets and a very good question came up…if starting with dialogue, or even in the middle of the action isn’t a hook, then what is?
The important thing to remember is that a hook has many layers. It isn’t just a single line of dialogue. It isn’t just an action. It’s more of a scene, a feel, something that compels the reader. And that takes us back to beginning journalism and the five W’s.
Who? What? Where? When? Why?
That final question is probably the most important one when it comes to crafting, and baiting, a story’s hook, than the other four combined.
Who? Who is our lead character(s)? Who is in the scene with him or her?
What are they doing? What is happening to them?
Where are they?
When are they?
And why are they there, doing what they’re doing, and having those experiences?
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If you haven’t read Dwight V. Swain’s, Techniques of the Selling Writer, (), you really should. It’s a book that was recommended to me over ten years ago, and one that has shaped my view of fiction writing. One of the first things your reader and the editor reads is your scene set.
Scene set? What’s that?
Envision your blank page like a blank stage. If you open with a line of dialogue, you have a disembodied voice speaking on the stage. Might be a cool effect if it’s some deity speaking, but if it’s your hero, or heroine, then the effect is somewhat muted by the fact that your audience can’t see a dang thing! So a scene set is the window dressing that only places us in the scene by telling us when and where, but it can also tell us who.
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Pink Petal Books announces our new releases for September. We’re
pleased to bring you a thrilling romantic suspense and a touching, yet erotic, tale of growing trust within a committed relationship. We hope you enjoy these stories and invite you to visit our newly redesigned website and discover our new reward point program where you can earn free books.
The Veteran, a debut romantic suspense novel from Connie
Wood. Roman, a man with scars, requests Geri’s help to
research his troubled military past. Working with him will awaken Gerri’s
memories and her long ignored desires. Buy THE VETERAN now.
Beginner’s Luck, a novella by Karenna Colcroft, launches
the Playtime line at Pink Petal Books. Kyla has always been a bit wary around
men. But things are different with Alec and she’s determined to prove it to him. So, with the help of a kit and a bit of beginner’s luck, she’ll allow him to
claim her in every way possible. Buy BEGINNER’S LUCK now.
Come view our newly redesigned website and earn DOUBLE REWARD
POINTS on this month’s new releases.
New releases, such as this month’s The Veteran by Connie Wood, and Beginner’s Luck by Karenna Colcroft, now earn double reward points. That means instead of 1 point for every dollar you spend, you’ll now earn two. This is in addition to the five free points you receive for opening an account.
We hope you enjoy this new bonus and invite you to look for more reward point promotions in the future.
