SIX CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE OPENING GAMBIT

1) Give The Reader a Sense of What the Book is About

In the beginning, the author presents a contract to readers, letting them know what kind of book they are going to read.

Ask yourself what information is conveyed in your opening paragraph. How do you let the reader know what the book is about?

2) Uncover a Problem

Some books state the problem right up front. Others just hint at it. Either way, from the beginning, give the reader a sense of what the conflict might be. By doing this, the reader naturally wants to discover what's going to happen next.

3) Reveal Character

Sometimes revelation is accomplished in a subtle way, with the author hinting at the kind of kid the hero is. Other times, as in Catcher in the Rye, the emotional state of the protagonist is apparent from the opening sentence. Whatever approach you choose, the the strength of your character will hook the reader.

4) Pose a Question

When written skillfully, creating an implicit question for the reader to ponder is a technique guaranteed to hook an audience.

5) Hint at the Conflict to Come

Conflict is the engine that drives story. Conflict can either be comical or dramatic, scary or tragic. If a character doesn't confront and cope with conflict, he or she can't grow, can't change. And without this transformation, the character isn't interesting to read about.

6) Anchor the Story in Time and Space

From the beginning, readers not only like to know what the story is about, they like to know where it takes place and in what period of time in history. Readers especially appreciate knowing early on what kind of book they have picked up.