One Thing Leads to the Next

QUESTIONS:

You've got a great idea for a story, but...

1. how can you capture a reader's interest and

2. how can you KEEP that reader reading?

ANSWER:

You need good leads, or what I call GREAT Killer Hooks!

A great Killer Hook...

1. Gives the reader a hint about what kind of story follows. (Is it funny fiction, an essay, a historical novel, science fiction, fantasy?)
2. Doesn’t tell the reader too much at once.
3. Leads the reader to what comes next.
4. Suggests what’s to come. 
5. Keeps the reader wondering.
6.  Surprises the reader.
7. Appears at the beginning, end, or in the middle.

EXAMPLES:

It turns out I do have a talent—a talent for getting even. Tomorrow night That Kid will be very sorry he was mean to me.

SAMANTHA HANSEN HAS ROCKS IN HER HEAD by ME, Nancy Viau/novel

Where’s Papa going with that ax?

CHARLOTTE’S WEB by E. B. White/novel

I love being fancy.

FANCY NANCY by Jane O’Connor/picture book

Now, it's your turn. Really, really, reallllllly think about the sentences you are writing. Can you change a few words in those sentences to make them leads?