Conflict, the topic of Part 1 of this two-part series, is just one element in your tackle box when it comes to how to grab your readers’ attention. In another Writer’s Digest article, “10 Ways to Hook Your Reader (and Reel Them in for Good),” author Ann Garvin lists ten elements that will solidly grab readers’ attention and then hold those readers’ attention.
- Begin at a pivotal moment
- Add an unusual situation
- Add an intriguing character
- Conflict
- Add an antagonist
- Change emotion
- Irony and surprise
- Make people wonder
- Dread factor
- Keep narrative voice compelling
She uses all ten in an essay about her relationship with her brother, which she breaks down in the article. I’d love for you to take a look and tell me what you think. In the meantime, let’s dig into her list just a little deeper.
Begin at a pivotal moment: Too many writers think they have to start at the beginning. Unfortunately, beginnings are often dull. When I ghostwrote The Legacy of Luna, I could have started the book with Julia “Butterfly” Hill deciding to take off for California, where she would discover redwoods. I could have even started it with that discovery. Instead, the book opens with her almost getting bucked off a 180-feet high platform in the redwood branches during an El Nino storm.
Add an unusual situation: Let’s face it. Commonplace is boring. There’s plenty of that in our daily lives, and it doesn’t exactly make for compelling reading. To grab readers’ attention, you want to jolt them with something they don’t expect.
Add an intriguing character: Ditto.
Conflict: This is a vital element when it comes to fiction or memoirs. See Part 1 of this two-part post.
Add an antagonist: Your antagonist will likely pop up with your conflict. Making that person nuanced rather than one-dimensional will add tons of interest and intrigue.
Change emotion: You may aspire to remain on an even keel in your life, but that doesn’t exactly make for exciting writing. So, change it up if you want to grab readers’ attention.
Irony and surprise: Predictability is boring. Boring doesn’t get the job done.
Make people wonder: Add that unexpected character trait or out-of-character behavior—or even a random event—that makes readers question their assumptions about your characters or your story.
Dread factor: If your readers are worrying about what’s going to happen next or whether everything will work out, you have them where you want them.
Keep narrative voice compelling: Again, change it up, so it’s not one-note. And give your narrator a penchant for reflection and introspection, along with some serious attitude.
I’ll wrap up this post with Garvin’s conclusion:
“Hooking a reader is all about keeping them interested by using craft to paint a compelling picture. If you consider the ten items that help build tension and move the story forward, writers can weave a tale that keeps readers up at night, and that is the magic in the best of relationships.”
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