SPA Girls Podcast – EP140 – Tempting Tag Lines and Heart-stopping Hooks
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Ever tried to distill your book down into the ultimate one-sentence tagline that will sell it to everyone you know? Yeah, so have we. It’s a nightmare, right?
In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast we break down hooks – what they are, why they’re important, and how to actually find one in your story. To make it just that little bit easier for you, we use examples from actual books, and then use those examples to understand hooks just that little bit better. Then we talk about how to craft a hook that will be so intriguing and memorable for your readers, they’ll immediately one-click your book on Amazon (or Kobo, or Nook).
Then we use a sneaky five-step process to create a tagline from your hook that you can use in the elevator, by the pool or on the street – basically every time someone asks you about your latest book! As an added bonus you can also use that tagline in all your blurbs, advertising and promotion – whenever you need readers to get an instant grasp on your book and why they’d want to read it. Sorted. 🙂
Taglines
A great tagline can help sell books and give readers an idea of what kind of story they’re picking up.
Three types of taglines – author taglines, series taglines or book taglines.
The aim is to capture the spirit of the book and enhance the appeal of the cover image and title.
Tagline examples-
Winning will make you famous. Losing means certain death. – The Hunger Games
Dive into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind – and none of the heart… – Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
One ring to rule them all. – Lord Of The Rings
Would you murder your wife to save your daughter – Adam Craft
Different tagline elements to consider-
- What’s at stake?
- The main conflict.
- Overview of the novel.
- Highlight something interesting, that has impact.
- Intrigue the reader.
- Don’t rely on clichés.
- Remember tone and genre.
- Make it flow.
- Be humorous.
Different genres dictate the content of a tagline. For example, romance books are not likely to have the same taglines as a thrillers. Look at what is working for other people, and remember, don’t mislead the reader.
Hooks
A narrative hook (or just hook) is something that captures the reader’s attention so that he or she will want to read the book.
Things to consider when writing your hook… for your book.!
- Evoke emotion – use characters/conflict/action.
- Convey tone – humorous, angry, dark or sweet?
- Keywords
- Tropes
- Practice – it will take time but you’ll get there!
Start with something that will grab your reader.
Get to the point, don’t waffle and used backstory.
Action is good!
Make your hook strong and memorable.
Know your readers and what they want.
What are the Elements of a Hook?
Characters – Who, what, and why?
Conflict –how does this drive the story?
Originality –What makes your book different?
Setting –Tell us where the book is set.
Action – Your hook line needs to have an action that catches the reader’s attention.
Again, the hook you would write for a Science fiction novel will be different to a sweet romance. Know your genre!
Example of a great hook.
I’m never really sure if it’s a real memory or just something that’s become more solid over time. But I’m sure that my brother once tried to murder me.
Links
Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers At Page One And Never Lets Them Go by Les Edgerton
