"A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings but a cat does not." -Ernest Hemingway

Monday, September 27, 2010

What do you mean hook 'em?

Simply put, life is not always for the living.

As writers, we all know if you want to capture the attention of your readers, or an editor, you have to hook 'em before they dive back into the vast sea of written words, in search of their next catch! 


When I first started writing, after many years of always saying, "One day I'm going to write a book about that," I was clueless as to how to write a captivating hook, let alone a manuscript.  At times we all are, even well known published authors.  So how do you begin?  Well I can't say I have all the answers, or even thee answer (thee is for emphasis), but I can tell you what has worked for me.


Know your premise.  That is know what you are writing about.  For some writers, it can come naturally as they sit down at their keyboard, or pad of paper, and start spewing out the next great novel.  For others, it takes a road map.  I find having a road map, although it may get spotted with tea stains, or whatever you happen to be drinking at the time; it helps to know where you want to go.  Even if the final destination isn't what you had planned.  Like when using your newest technological gadget and you enter the destination to the nearest Starbucks and end up at the local butcher shop instead.  Life doesn't always turn out like we've planned, but hey plans change, adapt, overcome and survive!


So you may be saying, okay unknown author, what is today's lesson, because if you don't hurry up I can see why you'll remain the unknown author.  Well my fellow aspiring authors know your destination.  Whether you write it down, record it or enter it into your cerebral memory bank . . . have a plan.  Start with the What if?  and move on from there.  Then when you sit down to write that killer hook, sorry I love a good mystery, it will seem to appear out of nowhere upon the page.


What do I mean by life is not always for the living?  Just because you are alive doesn't mean you’re living.  So get out there and experience life, which yes sometimes means getting your heart broken or even experiencing deep seeded pain, but it sometimes includes finding the love of a lifetime.  Go ahead, get out there and live!  Then sit down, make a plan, and write the next great novel.


Next week's blog, So you wrote a premise, now what?    


Until next time,


Keep on striving, keep on thriving and keep on writing!


T.K. Millin
The Unknown Author