Hooks Big and Small–How the Masters Do It

We looked at hooks last week, both concept hooks that pique our initial interest in a story and in-story hooks that keep us engaged from start to finish. Today we’re looking at how a few New York Times bestsellers hook us.  I pulled these loglines from the February 2, 2020 NYTBS list, and then looked … Continue reading Hooks Big and Small–How the Masters Do It

Story Hooks: What are they?

In the last post, we discussed how the most important element in a logline is often the element that reveals the story's hook(s).  But what is a hook?  Let's find out. What is a hook? Generally speaking . . . “A hook is a device for catching, holding, sustaining, or pulling anything--in this case, a … Continue reading Story Hooks: What are they?

Designing Principle: Show us what you’ve got!

Designing Principles can come instantly, along with the initial idea. But often they are hard-won. If they come at all. I considered trying to come up with a designing principle for one of the two premises we developed last week, but... I’ve got nothing.  The only made-up designing principle I can offer you is this... … Continue reading Designing Principle: Show us what you’ve got!

Writing–and Improving–The One-Line Synopsis

Today we’re expanding a couple of last week’s concepts into synopses and then trying to improve them. First I wrote out my first-thought, all-seven-components synopses, with each component identified with {W}orld, {C}haracter, {I}nciting Incident, {G}oal, {A}ction, {P}roblem, and {S}takes, with {i}mplicit components and questionable {?} components indicated. And then I did a stream-of-conscious application of this week’s criteria for a … Continue reading Writing–and Improving–The One-Line Synopsis

The One-Line Synopsis: How the Best Sellers Do It (Or At Least the People Who Write the List)

I’ve lifted these synopses from the January 18, 2015 New York Times Best Seller Lists.  In each one, I’ve identified any synopsis components with:  {W}orld, {C}haracter, {I}nciting Incident, {G}oal, {A}ction, {P}roblem, and {S}takes.  I've also indicated if the component is {i}mplicit...to my ears anyway.  And, if I wasn't sure if a word or phrase indicated … Continue reading The One-Line Synopsis: How the Best Sellers Do It (Or At Least the People Who Write the List)