Entertaining Beginning
Welcome to basecamp! Here, we are at the base of the mountain, or the very start of the story. Here, you need to hook the readers' attention, inspire them to keep reading, or to 'start climbing the mountain!'.
Some good strategies to hook your reader could include:
Some good strategies to hook your reader could include:
- 🏃➡️ Action
- 🔊 Sound
- 💬 Dialogue
- ❓ Cliffhanger Question
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You could choose to start your story with an action. Including a verb, or doing word, is a good idea.
Let's uplevel the basic sentence: The bear jumps. I'm going to include some more detail about where the bear is, what the bear is doing, and I'm also going to uplevel the word 'jumps' to paint a more vivid image in the reader's mind. Improved Sentence
Without a second thought the bear leapt from the ice-cold water and slammed its razor sharp claws into the salmon. While I could see it all with my new binoculars, but I wanted a better look. |
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You could choose to start your story with a sense. A good one to choose is a sound, something your character can hear.
Let's improve this basic sentence: The gorilla yelled. We can add some adjectives, or describing words to enhance our description of the sound. We can also uplevel the word 'yelled' to be more specific. Improved Sentence
The beast’s terrifying roar shook the ground, shattering the peace and serenity of the rainforest. I didn’t want to get any closer but I knew my fearless brother wouldn’t feel the same way. |
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You could choose to start your story with dialogue, or a character speaking.
Let's improve this basic sentence: "Let's go home." Bart said. We can add a sense of urgency and panic, and uplevel the word 'said' by replacing it with 'screamed'. Improved Sentence
“We’ve got to get out of here!” Bart and Lisa screamed in tandem, their voices thick with dread. They knew sneaking into the old basement might get them into some trouble, but they had no idea it would be this scary. |
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A cliffhanger question can be the most difficult strategy to understand, but can also be the most powerful hook when used creatively. A cliffhanger question leaves the reader wondering, wanting to read on to find out what will happen next.
Let's uplevel this basic sentence: I was watching tv, and wondered, are there fish in the river? We can describe what the character is watching on tv, and make a direct link between the movie, and the river by the house. The reader is left wondering what adventure or misfortune is about to befall our main character. |
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Improved Sentence
The squirrel desperately clung to his acorn for dear life as he sank deeper and deeper. Suddenly, he was surrounded by hungry piranhas. As I watched the movie I wondered, could there be any piranhas in the river by our house?
✏️ Your Turn
Choose a picture prompt below. Practise writing an entertaining beginning that uses 🔊 sound, 🏃➡️ action, 💬 dialogue and ❓cliffhanger questions.
Choose a picture prompt below. Practise writing an entertaining beginning that uses 🔊 sound, 🏃➡️ action, 💬 dialogue and ❓cliffhanger questions.