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bysarahalexander's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
raeroy's review against another edition
4.0
Great read, but got a little repetitive at the end. Could do with a few less examples from his own work. Overall, I enjoyed the book and learned a lot. The section near the end where editors and publishers gave advice was a favourite.
perilous1's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't the kind of instructional book you'll want to read all in one sitting. I had to put it down a number of times and just chew on the previous few chapters--deciding how to incorporate the advice into my style and approach. I ended up doing a lot of highlighting that I know I'll be coming back to later. It occasionally felt like the author was a bit too impressed with some of the examples from his own work, but it is his book.
Lots of great points and examples to get you thinking differently about starting out your book on the right foot. Because after all, if you don't hook a reader from the start, they're not likely to bother reading on.
Lots of great points and examples to get you thinking differently about starting out your book on the right foot. Because after all, if you don't hook a reader from the start, they're not likely to bother reading on.
valerieullmerauthor's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really wonderful book, mostly about how to open your novel or short story, but also gives great advice that is written clearly about how to write the rest of your novel, too. Since every author has their own phrases and terms, once I understood his terms, I found this book very clear cut and helpful. Highly recommended!
kitbauman's review
3.0
The message was fantastic, but the author was a bit long-winded. There are only so many times you can read about Thelma & Louise, and how Thelma was trying to free herself from male domination. I got it the first time, and had to have read it about ten. Thelma & Louise may have been a great movie, and a shining example, but it was a screenplay. It was never a novel or a short story, which, as I understood it, was the focus of this book.
I liked the points he made, and I'll take them to heart, but, as Edgarton raves about brevity, he may like to employ it himself.
I liked the points he made, and I'll take them to heart, but, as Edgarton raves about brevity, he may like to employ it himself.
juliterario's review against another edition
5.0
Básicamente, este es un libro sobre consejos de escritura. Sobre escribir novelas. Consejos, tips, informes, etc. Había leído algo así antes y descubrí este libro debido a una recomendación de una autora. Por eso verán que le doy 5 estrellas, no porque me parezca que este sea el mejor libro del mundo o que todo lo que se diga acá es cierto, sino porque lo disfruté y me fue útil. Aunque es difícil ponerle una puntuación a esto porque ningún consejo sobre la escritura es mejor que este: ignorá todo consejo porque lo que funciona para alguien puede no funcionar para los demás. Estuve de acuerdo con mucho de lo que decía en este libro, no coincidí con un cierto porcentaje de lo demás y 90% del contenido que encontré acá me fue sumamente útil y me gustaría leer más cosas como esta. Así que... eso.
lissajean7's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it. It had a few really good things to say. He repeated himself a lot, and most of the examples he used weren't really my cup of tea. I'm glad I read it.
hemloc's review against another edition
4.0
Three reasons to read Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One:
1) The book is written with a jovial, conversational tone that gives the impression of a benevolent and informed rant. It's a lot more pleasant to read than many other craft books are.
2) The content is targeted, useful, and has a fairly motivational effect. It focuses on beginnings, but it's advice that can be used in all writing.
3) The author does a very good job of driving home the importance of a good beginning.
One drawback to Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One:
1) I didn't always agree with the examples the author gave of great openings. A few of them were especially dire. And I kept noticing that bar an exception or two, all the examples came from male authors.
1) The book is written with a jovial, conversational tone that gives the impression of a benevolent and informed rant. It's a lot more pleasant to read than many other craft books are.
2) The content is targeted, useful, and has a fairly motivational effect. It focuses on beginnings, but it's advice that can be used in all writing.
3) The author does a very good job of driving home the importance of a good beginning.
One drawback to Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One:
1) I didn't always agree with the examples the author gave of great openings. A few of them were especially dire. And I kept noticing that bar an exception or two, all the examples came from male authors.
vkdixon's review against another edition
5.0
This book isn't just helpful with beginnings; it helped me determine my whole plot! So much great advice and information! If you are a writer, I highly encourage you to read it.
sharonskinner's review against another edition
4.0
Great openings are critical. Les also leaves the reader with hope for future publication.