A writer I’m mentoring sent me an email from an agent who read her piece as a result of a contest.
She loved the author’s writing and story telling but her story lacked a unique hook.
“What makes your story of a sports playing hero different from all the other sports playing heroes out there?”
The agent mentioned several ABA authors who wrote sports books similar to my friend’s. She also reminded the author that an agent or editor will see dozens of books “mimicking” those sports hero books so a book really has to stand out. It must have a different hook.
This hook is used in marketing, getting the book past the booksellers and onto the shelves. It’s used with the media to get the book some publicity.
The HOOK is what makes your every-day-story unique.
Okay, so let’s say you’re writing about a football player. What can you do to make him different?
After the NFL draft where the first openly gay player was drafted, the secular market will have books with that hook releases — if they haven’t already.
It’s not a topic readily accepted in the CBA, so you might not want to be so controversial.
Soo what can you do?
What about an football loving Amish boy? Lots of plot angles to work out there and lots of conflict. And frankly, would be a refreshing approach to the genre.
How about an African American hockey player?
Maybe a baseball star pitcher who walks away from a multi-million dollar deal to work on his father’s farm.
How about a rugby player instead of a football star?
Or, how about the highly trained sniper is a woman instead of a man.
Your evil senator is a non-white-male. (Talk about cliche in movies and TV.)
There are so many ways to create a diverse story. And while we can’t know what’s out there, or what’s going to cross an agent or editor’s desk, we can do our best to be unique.
But how?
1. Do your research. Somewhere out there is a unique story related to what you’re writing.
2. Pick an unusual sport/career/occupation?
3. Write down all the cliches, all the expected scenarios and figure out an opposite. Turn it upside down and inside out. Ask what if!
4. If you go with a standard hero/heroine set up, how can you change it up, twist it up through the course of the story? If you do this, can you add it to your story pitch?
5. Create contrast. Create racial or culturally diverse characters that take a unique look at society. Or break society norms.
6. Can you pitch your story in one sentence and get a raised eyebrow from the hearer? Play around with your story concept but don’t stick to what you planned. Twist it up. “Susie fell in love with Tom but one dark night she discovered he turned into a kitten.” Okay, you know what I mean.
7. Dirty up your characters. Darken their past. Up their flaws. Give them physical wounds as well as emotional ones.
8. Up the contrast. “She’s aiming to be a professional hockey player. He’s a retired player turned trainer. But when they meet on the ice, will their hearts chill or melt?”
9. Spend time in book stores, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, researching books like yours. How can you make yours different?
10. Take note of conversations around you, of the news, of other folks’ life stories. In them, somewhere, is a unique twist. Trust me. Use them to your advantage.
Happy Writing.
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Christy nominated author Rachel Hauck loves a great story. She excels in seeing the deeper layers of a story.
With a love for teaching and mentoring, Rachel comes alongside writers to help them craft their novel. A worship leader, board member of ACFW and popular writing teacher, Rachel is the author of over 17 novels. She lives in Florida with her husband and dog.
Contact her at: Rachel@mybooktherapy.com. Pre order her next release, Princess Ever After, book two in the Royal Wedding Series.
Do you need help with your story idea, synopsis or proposal? How about some one-on-one craft coaching. Check out our menu of services designed to help you advance your writing dreams.
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