A tip a day to keep the rejections away
Welcome to my marathon of writing tips—one tip a day to make
you a better writer.
What are my qualifications?
For several years, I’ve written the Pet
Vet column for the Post Bulletin newspaper. I’ve had articles published in RunMinnesota, DVM360 journal, and The
Wagazine. I’m in a wonderful critique
group that meets weekly to tell me everything I’ve done wrong.
Save yourself some time by learning from my mistakes.
Abbreviations as follows:
MS = manuscript
CP = critique partner
WIP = work in progress
MILE SEVEN = CHAPTER ENDS/HOOKS
At the end of each chapter give the reader a reason to turn
the page. I’m a huge fan of
“cliffhanger” or “what comes next” chapter hooks, but not every novel has that
level of tension. Nevertheless, I still
want a reason, even just simple curiosity, to turn the page.
The King of Chapter Hooks is William Goldman. I happen to be obsessed with The Princess Bride, so we’ll use that as
an example. But, really, any of his
books would do.
Flip through your well-worn copy. (You do have one, don’t you? I have two, because who could resist the 30th
Anniversary Edition?) Carefully examine
each chapter end. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF
THEM IS FANTASTIC. Not only fantastic,
but Mr. Goldman's witty way of wielding tension hooks the reader and FORCES YOU TO TURN THE PAGE.
The real magic happens when the reader believes that the end of each chapter is just the start of something else which is even better. And please don’t break off a chapter
mid-conversation, unless someone just dropped a bomb.
For gender equality, I must also nominate a queen, I
suppose. No big surprise here, but
Suzanne Collins is my current Queen of Chapter Hooks with her Hunger Games series. Obviously, the whole trilogy rides on a wave
of suspense, but she’s especially good at utilizing her chapter ends to
perfection. Well done.
But don’t only look at my examples. Choose something in your genre. A modern-day romance won’t use the same type
of chapter ends as a thriller.
Now I’m done. I mean
it.
See you tomorrow for Mile 8?
Are you tired yet?
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