What Is a Narrative Hook and How to Write One
Understanding the Narrative Hook
Writing the first sentence of your novel can feel challenging, to say the least. You want it to be evocative and exciting; make your reader hungry for more. You want to hook them and hold them. That’s a lot of pressure. Many of the writers I work with came to me complaining they’d stare at the cursor and simply couldn’t put down a sentence, or whatever they wrote felt “not good enough.” They were paralyzed by indecision.
If that’s you, please read on because today we’ll discuss how to manage the blank page, construct a gripping opening for your book, and keep readers excited about the story.
What is a Narrative Hook?
The narrative hook is a literary tool writers use to tease readers, to make them curious, nervous, anxious, or all of the above, plus more! The goal is to entice the reader to keep reading. Have you ever heard the expression the first sentence makes a promise to the reader? That is what a good hook does. It promises that reading the book will be a rewarding experience.
Where Does the Narrative Hook Go?
Some argue it should be the first sentence, while others say it should be by the end of the first paragraph or page. I advocate hooking the reader from the first sentence and then keep hooking them so they have no choice but to read the next sentence, and the next, and the next.
Before we get into the details of how to craft the hook, there's one thing I want you to remember: DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE HOOK WHEN YOU ARE DRAFTING!
Many writers get stuck on the first sentence or the first page. They put too much pressure on crafting a compelling opening line or scene. Please don't worry about it. Not when drafting. Just write something to get the juices flowing. Tell yourself the story first, figure out what it's about, and once you've done that, you can go back and craft a killer opening or improve on the awesomeness you've already written.
How To Craft a Killer Narrative Hook?
First, understand that what it's meant to do is more important than what “it” actually is. Remember, the point is to grab the reader's attention and give them a reason to invest their time and energy into your story.
There are lots of ways to do this.
You can hook with emotion, action, beautiful language, or voice. You want to consider your genre and target audience here. For example, if you're writing a thriller and you begin by languidly describing the setting, regardless of eloquence, that's probably not going to work out well. But if you start when the hero becomes the victim, you know, the knife to the throat moment, then your thriller reader is interested. They expect a thrill. Give it to them.
Pro Tip: Read extensively in the genre you are writing, and make note of the tone and type of opening these books use.
You must make the reader care (about the entire book) by making them curious about what happens next and promising them a rewarding experience, then delivering.
Think of the hook as an event (a situation) that directly involves your main character, evokes curiosity, and pokes at a question that frames the essence of the story or establishes undeniable tension that you must read forward to relieve. Sometimes, the hook is loud and flashy. Sometimes, it's subtle and soft. Again, it depends on what you are going for and the genre you're writing.
And as always, there are exceptions to everything in fiction writing. Look at the opening of the middle-grade fantasy Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling: “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you’d expect to be involved in anything mysterious because they just didn’t hold with that nonsense.”
The main character, Harry, isn't even in the mix yet, nor does it really capture the story’s essence, but it alludes to a mystery, and the narrator's voice absolutely grabs your attention.
Favorite Quote on Writing the Hook:
“The hook… is the notion we have come to a crucial junction in a character's life and not a moment too soon. What intoxicates is that not only is trouble brewing, but it's long-standing and about to reach critical mass.” “...From the first sentence, we need to catch a glimpse of the breadcrumb trail that will lure us in deeper.” Lisa Cron- Wired For Story.
That's a lot. No pressure.
Again, please don't worry about it. Honestly, it will come. Just write your story first. Then, when you're done, step back and think, what's the big story question here? It is usually a will they or won't they succeed type of question, but why are you asking it? Why did you spend all those words worth of time writing about it? The hook will manifest from your why and the point you are making with your story.
Study narrative hooks from popular books in your genre. Pay attention to how they are crafted.
Below are a few examples of stunning hooks from different genres that capture the essence of what the book is about, though you would only know that if you read the story. But it's whispered in your ear. There's a question in each one that begs for an answer and makes it impossible not to read the next line.
“When I was born, the name for what I was did not exist.” Circe by Madeline Miller Fantasy-Mythology.
“A girl is running for her life.” The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E Schwab-Historical Fantasy.
“Lydia is dead. But they don't know this yet.” Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng-Contemporary Family Drama.
“Alicia Berenson was thirty-three years old when she killed her husband.” The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides-Thriller.
“No one ever called 911 because they were having a great day.” Stolen Things by R.H. Herron-Thriller
“There is blood under my fingernails. I wonder how many of my people I've killed this time.” A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer -YA Fantasy
“When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim's warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. She must have had bad dreams and climbed in with our mother. Of course, she did. Today is the day of reaping.” Hunger Games by Susan Collins-YA Dystopian Action/Adventure
Main Takeaways to Hooking the Reader with Your Opening:
Don't worry about crafting a killer opening when you are drafting.
See if you can pull the essence of the global story conflict into a compelling statement that asks a question.
Go back to your favorite reads and check out their openings. Then, study how the authors crafted those lines to peak reader curiosity and create forward momentum.
Consider your genre and your target reader. Give them what they're hungry for.
Lastly, have fun with it.
