I had the pleasure of hosting Mary Buckham on the Writers at Play blog and learned so much from her. Mary is an award-winning romantic-suspense author and a sought-after speaker and writing craft teacher for both online and in live presentations throughout the United States and Canada . Her non-fiction plotting book, BREAK INTO FICTION® with author Dianna Love is currently available for pre-order and will hit the shelves June 18, 2009. For more on Mary go to www.MaryBuckham.com or www.BreakIntoFiction.com
Having worked with thousands of writers over the years, of all genres, Mary shares her talent with other writers through workshops for reader groups, conferences, and library visits. Workshops on How to plot a novel or How to plot a bigger and stronger novel. Openings that pack a punch! Translating Body Language to the Page. Body Language and Emotion. PACING: How To Create A Page Turner. SEX BETWEEN THE PAGES: UNDERSTANDING AND CRAFTING SEXUAL TENSION, and many more.
Mary explained that most people look at the book cover, read the back cover blurb, then open the book and read the first sentence. If they like that first sentence, they would read the whole first paragraph.
Let’s play a game that Mary Buckham taught us in one of her classes.
I will post here ten hooks from different books without mentioning the authors.
Notice I use only the first sentence, because the editors often don’t need more to judge a book.
These hooks are taken from historicals, paranormal, sweet romances, medical romances, romantic suspense, erotica, westerns, ebooks...
Choose those that you like.
1—The weight of her new engagement ring seemed to slow Celeste Bennet’s steps to a rhythmic thud as she crossed Fifth Avenue.
2-The worst part about killing someone was planning exactly how to do it.
3-As soon as he stripped naked, he’d be hers.
4-“Tomb robbers!” The words roared throughout the immense stone chamber.
5-I’ll stand before God before I lie under Maxwell Summner!
6- Jillian Burton had convinced herself she needed this assignment, needed it badly enough to brave the wintry chill and the icy wind, needed it even more than the sick children expecting her medical expertise.
7-Victoria Sorenson wasn’t about to let the fact that she was a married woman spoil this night’s celebration—not when she’d seen her husband of thirteen years for perhaps only ninety minutes in total.
8-We dare you to kiss the baddest boy at Western High,” Suzi said, wicked glee coating her words.
9-If I’d known running away would be this hot and this dirty, I’d have stayed home.
10-They say you don’t know when your life changes.
Now, tell us which you like and why? Would you buy the book? You can choose as many as you like.
If you have favorite hooks from different authors, please share.
ATTENTION:
Online class: May 10 - 23, 2009
OPENINGS THAT PACK A PUNCH!!"
by Mary Buckham
Registration $35
at www.MaryBuckham.com/
click on ONLINE CLASSES
In OPENINGS THAT PACK A PUNCH! you'll learn:
* The ingredients of a page-turner
* What hooks are and how to maximize them
* Great beginnings & endings that have your readers wanting more!
* How to rework YOUR openings
