Hooks. You gotta have one. If you want the reader to keep turning pages.
The classic hook is to grab their attention with that first sentence or paragraph. Write a compelling first line that has the reader asking, “What happens next?” Or “Who is this intriguing character?” Or “I wonder how that will be resolved?” Or even, “Do I want to give my time and attention to this story?”
Tropes are hooks. You can hook a reader with a title that contains keywords. Secret baby, rancher, billionaire, heiress, fake date, forced proximity, etc.
Here are a few other ways to hook a reader.
Using Mood and Atmosphere:
By using mood and atmosphere—this can be construed as your voice—you can draw a reader immediately into the world you’ve created. The dark creepy forest that glints with fairy dust and whispers promises of riches will intrigue readers and keep them turning pages. A bright candy-colored shop that sells pastries only one hour a day. A calm beachfront that’s suddenly beset by dark clouds and the arrival of a mysterious ship.
Immediately plunging the reader into the middle of the action is another useful hook. Does the reader find themselves breathless and running alongside the protagonist? Dodging bullets? Gasping as they watch the bride toss the bouquet into the groom’s face and then dash off? Or even just feeling the heavy globs of pancake batter spatter their face as the mixer explodes around them. Action and visceral description provide questions for the reader to ask!
Hook a reader with a character:
Here’s another chance to introduce tropes. But also, on that first page (or even the first chapter) is the character performing a unique ability, applying glitter makeup to their body, speaking two different languages to two different customers at the counter, gathering research on moss during their expedition in the wilds? If your character has a unique ability or interest that is pertinent to the story, it’s an excellent opportunity to turn the reader on to that early on to allow them to understand the character in ways perhaps other characters in the story do not. They’ve been let in on a secret!
The idea of the hook is to make the reader turn the page. But also, to welcome them into your world. To fully immerse them in it—even if it’s only providing one detail that no other character on the page knows. Readers love to feel a part of the story and the sooner you allow them to step onto the page the faster you’ll have them turning the pages.
In Michele Renae’s latest Harlequin Romance, a writer gets to live a fairy tale of her own, complete with a tropical destination and a tantalizingly handsome hero… Only problem? It’s meant to be temporary!
Author Saralyn has no problem writing the perfect hero—she’s just never met one. Until he steps off the page and into her vacation! As a divorcée, she’s protective of her heart. But the striking younger billionaire makes flirting at fifty very appealing… To avoid a scandal, David’s escaped to his luxury island for solitude. Yet he’s tempted by the beautiful woman on his white sand beach… Their instantaneous spark soon leads to unbridled passion! It should be a holiday fling, but once their two weeks are up, will they be ready for The End?
Two Week Temptation in Paradise is out now! Check it out on Harlequin.com
