Writing I need help... How do I keep readers hook for my book?

[StrangeEvette]

Is it good that you give backgrounds of characters although their boring?

I think my 1 and 2 chaps was good hook because I immediately throw like an action scene.

But now I'm like on 10 chaps still haven't added new one its all story and understanding characters.

Do you have any advice of how to keep the readers hook?

 

[Snusmumriken]

You need for the plot to move forward.

This isn't about action or exposition -- either can move or stall the plot. Figure out a medium to long term goal that readers will be expect for the story to look forward and make sure readers know this goal.

You can start with character getting betrayed -- his long term goal is revenge. A catasrophe is approaching the city -- the goal is to survive\avoid etc.


Then, once the main direction is established - start throwing short term goals in the process and have the protagonist actively move toward them, along as they move toward the primary goal outlined earlier. Your MC is plotting revenge? he needs weapons, he needs accomplices, he needs info on his target - he needs to do all those sub-plots.

as all of this moves on -- you can add descriptions, expositions and actions scenes like seasoning.

at the same time, your story can go deeper than this. the "main" plot might be only the "start-up" arc, Rather than fluffing up the initial main goal - you build up toward a greater goal "the betrayer was your relative who was trying to save you from an even worse fate but with your revenge you messed it up and now you have to deal with the real villain"


For readers to be interested to keep reading - they need to both expect and anticipate what would happen in the future chapters - give them that knowledge.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

Distribute your characters' background throughout the course of the story. I observed that a good novel would always keep some things about the characters' background until they are confronted by a situation that requires them to bring out their past relative to their predicament.

Let the characters 'grow' unto your audience. Dumping their backgrounds in one go would surely bore your readers.

 

[StrangeEvette]

You need for the plot to move forward.

This isn't about action or exposition -- either can move or stall the plot. Figure out a medium to long term goal that readers will be expect for the story to look forward and make sure readers know this goal.

You can start with character getting betrayed -- his long term goal is revenge. A catasrophe is approaching the city -- the goal is to survive\avoid etc.


Then, once the main direction is established - start throwing short term goals in the process and have the protagonist actively move toward them, along as they move toward the primary goal outlined earlier. Your MC is plotting revenge? he needs weapons, he needs accomplices, he needs info on his target - he needs to do all those sub-plots.

as all of this moves on -- you can add descriptions, expositions and actions scenes like seasoning.

at the same time, your story can go deeper than this. the "main" plot might be only the "start-up" arc, Rather than fluffing up the initial main goal - you build up toward a greater goal "the betrayer was your relative who was trying to save you from an even worse fate but with your revenge you messed it up and now you have to deal with the real villain"


For readers to be interested to keep reading - they need to both expect and anticipate what would happen in the future chapters - give them that knowledge.

Okay, I understand. Thank you very much!

Distribute your characters' background throughout the course of the story. I observed that a good novel would always keep some things about the characters' background until they are confronted by a situation that requires them to bring out their past relative to their predicament.

Let the characters 'grow' unto your audience. Dumping their backgrounds in one go would surely bore your readers.

I see... I should not spoonfed them too much then. Thank you very much!

 

[Deleted member 54065]

Okay, I understand. Thank you very much!

I see... I should not spoonfed them too much then. Thank you very much!

Well struggling in writing novels always include the conflict to balance giving information and witholding it. Too much of the former will make your story boring. Too much of the latter and the reader will get confused with events and/or concepts and characters.

As from my experience, never underestimate your readers: many of them can understand your thoughts and are capable of forming opinions and theories in their mind. (Which is fun by the way; it means they're invested in the work, and they can also give you ideas on how to continue.)

 

[Syringe]

Good hooks tend to be questions or situations your readers WANT resolved, answered or investigated. Conflict or peril can work really well. Or something genuinely intriguing/high-stake. If you start off with say a betrayal or a near-death scene like in Arifureta, the initial hook is figuring out how the hell they ended up in that predicament. The hook afterwards is seeing how they grow and climb out of that rut.

Hooks afterwards in Arifureta becomes the revenge subplot, seeing what else they can create, what new magic they gain from defeating major dungeons, etc. We don't know anything much from the start, but we can imagine how things will play out and I fell for it hook, line and sinker.

Generally, you don't want everything answered at once, and that involves side characters because they can become hooks themselves even just by being interesting or having a certain quirk. Letting readers know just enough but not everything goes a looooong way to keeping them on board, because it's fun to imagine/theorycraft. Plus, it's a huge motivational boost for an author to see what readers will come up with.

Also, it really depends on how you deliver the backstory of characters. If we don't know enough about them, then it's hard to care about them in the first place. That's primarily the reason why I don't think unravelling characters so early on is a good thing. Later down the line, when we know the character enough, going through a backstory chap can incredibly powerful.

 

[StrangeEvette]

Good hooks tend to be questions or situations your readers WANT resolved, answered or investigated. Conflict or peril can work really well. Or something genuinely intriguing/high-stake. If you start off with say a betrayal or a near-death scene like in Arifureta, the initial hook is figuring out how the hell they ended up in that predicament. The hook afterwards is seeing how they grow and climb out of that rut.

Hooks afterwards in Arifureta becomes the revenge subplot, seeing what else they can create, what new magic they gain from defeating major dungeons, etc. We don't know anything much from the start, but we can imagine how things will play out and I fell for it hook, line and sinker.

Generally, you don't want everything answered at once, and that involves side characters because they can become hooks themselves even just by being interesting or having a certain quirk. Letting readers know just enough but not everything goes a looooong way to keeping them on board, because it's fun to imagine/theorycraft. Plus, it's a huge motivational boost for an author to see what readers will come up with.

Also, it really depends on how you deliver the backstory of characters. If we don't know enough about them, then it's hard to care about them in the first place. That's primarily the reason why I don't think unravelling characters so early on is a good thing. Later down the line, when we know the character enough, going through a backstory chap can incredibly powerful.

Ohhhhh I see. Okay understand, note! I will do my best to write it when needed then.

Well struggling in writing novels always include the conflict to balance giving information and witholding it. Too much of the former will make your story boring. Too much of the latter and the reader will get confused with events and/or concepts and characters.

As from my experience, never underestimate your readers: many of them can understand your thoughts and are capable of forming opinions and theories in their mind. (Which is fun by the way; it means they're invested in the work, and they can also give you ideas on how to continue.)

Okayyyyy!

 

[LunaSoltaer]

Getting readers' attention... is hard. definitely.

Keeping readers' attention is easier. So far you have no drops which is nice (even if a few come in, do not be discouraged!), but people on SH are shy. Comments are relatively rare, and sometimes even a heart is. Also keep in mind that a lot of people will use clickbaity titles, cover art or genres to instantly generate readers.

Your work does none of those things and has its own spin on things, which is extremely commendable!! There are definitely spots where it can be inproved, but you seem to have entered the scene wanting to refine your art and craft, so that's not a big worry either.

If nothing else, dedicating effort to telling a story will sharpen your instincts :)

Part of it is definitely finding your "voice" and once you have, working with it rather than accidentally against it, if that makes any sense.

And again do not be discouraged :) let the hearts fill up, and oh! lots of good resources on the forum about writing and structure. remind me to find some links later you might appreciate

 

[TheEldritchGod]

Opening line.

Paragraph
paragraph
paragraph

Zinger

Conversation

Humorous observation

Conversation

Paragraph
paragraph
paragraph

Zinger

Conversation

Serious moment

Cliffhanger

Next Chapter.

 

[mitkopom]

One personal observation of mine. You can not hook up every one. There will be always a stray who will dislike what the majority found nice. Different people different interests. It is good that here on SH such readers just drop and move on, while if on RR.... Mamma mia

 

[Mortrexo]

Is it good that you give backgrounds of characters although their boring?

I think my 1 and 2 chaps was good hook because I immediately throw like an action scene.

But now I'm like on 10 chaps still haven't added new one its all story and understanding characters.

Do you have any advice of how to keep the readers hook?

You are just in your first two chapters, so don't worry too much yet. Thousands of stories are being uploaded daily, so you have to think of methods to be unique in that bunch. A good cover usually does the trick.

The thing that will hook most people will be regular uploads. Although people want to lie to themselves and say it doesn't matter, that the plot is everything, it really isn't. Be consistent, write at least a chapter every other day, or three chapters a week, and here in scribble hub, having some initial smut will help you pick up more views. That's my experience.

Naturally, you can't just write an unpalatable thing. Create something that makes you feel interested. What would you, as a reader, want to find in a book? Don't be egotistical; look at things more objectively when asking yourself that question. Read your own chapter and think about it.

Also, have a plan when writing to avoid plotholes. You don't have to have everything planned. But, at least, be 30~40 thousand words ahead of the latest chapter. It will allow you to have more time to correct things, change some ideas to something better, and create a "To do List" or something similar.

It may be harsh advice, but these are the minimum requirements if you really want to succeed as an author. Naturally, you must also use various pages to post your story.

If you are not 100% serious... Then, just upload as you like and make sure to have fun while writing. If you get bored, imagine those reading the story that even the writer finds boring.

 

[Lloyd]

End every chapter on a cliffhanger. Your readers might hate you, but it works.

 

[owotrucked]

Like Syringe said, a hook is a situation to be resolved. If a hook is a gap between a character's wish and reality, you can build it on positive emotions (e.g. gap between ambition and reality), and negatives ones (e.g. gap between an unbearable peril of a failure condition and relief).

Hooks don't resonate with all readers the same way. You have to think about your target audience.

A lighthearted hook can be as simple as dropping an incredible power on a random wretch, because it raises a gap inside your reader between the unfulfilled potential of the power and the wretch.

As you can see, the hook can affect the reader through sympathy (experiencing the character's emotions) or directly appeal the reader's cravings. Combine both for maximum effect.

Exemple: mc wants to avenge ded family=>a sympathetic hook
The reader's fav waifu just got murdered and mc promises to avenge her=>it got personal hook
Mc needs to mug ppl for rent => too relatable hook
Mc wants to pawn the ego weapon that wont shut up=>sympathetic hook
The MC doesn't acknowledge the unfulfilled potential of the ego weapon, but it's hellbent about sticking with MC=> direct appeal hook
MC is separated from waifu because of a noble jerk=>unrelatable hook, why does the MC already has a gf, hello?

Stacking hooks is good, but if your first chapters have already established strong hooks, then making new hooks is low priority because your readers are already caught fishes: they crave for resolution / pay-offs and story progression towards those goals.

The worst that may happen with too many hooks is creating a side quest plot / detour that don't appeal to your initial readers.

If you were talking about cliffhanger then it's completely different from hooks. It's about playing with the reader expectations by setting up a story flow and subverting it without completely trashing the flow at the end of chapters.