Writing from "the hook"

vanessabrooks · Apr 19, 2007

Most people write from an outline or synposis or something of that sort, but I was wondering, does anyone get "the hook" first and write the story/novel that way, sort of seat of your pants and dive into the editing later?

I've found that I do my best writing when I don't have any "structure" holding me down. I don't do synopsises (sp? what is the plural of synopsis?), I don't do outlines. When someone asks me what my story/book is about, I give them the ~~usually lame~~ hook. I know where the story starts and where it ends and I just sort of go with the flow in between.

Am I the only one who does this? Is this a crazy way to write?

maestrowork · Apr 19, 2007

I haven't done it yet, but I have a "what if" hook sitting there waiting for me to write. I can't wait.

Cath · Apr 19, 2007

I write most of my short stories this way. I usually have a general theme in mind, though, and a target word count. But I store first lines and hooks in my head until I find a way to use them.

AdamH · Apr 19, 2007

I usually start with the hook and an ending. Then, as I write, I form a loose outline in my head.

The longer the story goes the more I need to write an outline on paper(just for memory's sake).

Chumplet · Apr 19, 2007

Oh, yeah, baby... That's me ALL the way. I usually start my ideas from a brief snippet of a dream. The drama and excitement are all there. If I can't craft a whole novel from that, then there's no point in going on. I'm definitely a 'fly by the seat of my pants' kind of gal.
Of course, I have to backtrack and do a few adjustments along the way.

Azure Skye · Apr 19, 2007

I've written short stories starting with just a hook. My ms, no. My next WIP, yes. It depends I guess.

Jamesaritchie · Apr 19, 2007

Hook

vanessabrooks said:
Most people write from an outline or synposis or something of that sort, but I was wondering, does anyone get "the hook" first and write the story/novel that way, sort of seat of your pants and dive into the editing later?

I've found that I do my best writing when I don't have any "structure" holding me down. I don't do synopsises (sp? what is the plural of synopsis?), I don't do outlines. When someone asks me what my story/book is about, I give them the ~~usually lame~~ hook. I know where the story starts and where it ends and I just sort of go with the flow in between.

Am I the only one who does this? Is this a crazy way to write?

Synopsis/synopses. I don't even begin with a hook, but with a title. I don't, however, write by the seat of my pants. And I sure don't want to know how the story ends. If I did, I would have no need to write it.

Writing from "the hook"

vanessabrooks

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Cath

The mean one

AdamH

Pumped Up Kicks

Chumplet

This hat is getting too hot

Azure Skye

Huh?

Jamesaritchie