PLOT POINT 1:
Hook Components
The first 1-2 scenes of a story should hook the reader and establish a strong protagonist by introducing the following elements:
Hover over each element to learn a little more, then see it in action in each of the fictional characters on the following pages.
What does your character want from the very beginning of their story? This desire/motivation should be made clear as soon as possible. It is like the lifeline that readers will grasp onto in your story.
What External Conflict/tension is happening in the first 1-2 scenes?
What is your character’s day-to-day life at the time we are introduced to them? The Normal World gives the reader a snapshot of the protagonist’s life before the Inciting Incident (Plot Point 2) shakes things up. This scene introducing the Normal World should introduce the protagonist in a way that is unique to them. In other words, not just walking around the mall or brushing their teeth.
What are the character’s most important/distinguishing traits and world views? It’s important to get the reader on the protagonist’s side from the very beginning, which means highlighting positive traits (though not exclusively - flaws are an important way to round out characters) that are relatable, admirable, and likable, even in an anti-hero.
What happened in your character’s past that has colored their view of the world in a harmful way? This should fuel the Lie that drives their story forward. (More on the Lie in the Inciting Incident.)
How does the opening scene(s) introduce Theme? This could be through situation, symbolism, dialogue, etc. Look to the fictional heroes in the following pages for examples of this done well.
How is the character experiencing internal conflict/a rainbow of emotions right from the beginning? Internal conflict helps anchor the reader into the protagonist’s experience.
How are the story’s Stakes being introduced right away? Especially consider how a character’s deepest Want is threatened by the setting/conflict/etc. of the opening scene(s).
Show vs. tell in the Hook.
Showing in the Hook means seeing the protagonist enact/show each of these 6 components through dialogue and action. Beware of backstory and exposition (explaining through narrative, aka not action or dialogue, who your protagonist is or about their situation).
We want to see them showing us their Want, Normal World, Ghost, Internal and External Conflict and Character Traits in the moment (not backstory) through their action and dialogue within the opening scene(s).
See our fictional heroes below for excellent examples of how to do this. It may be helpful to read the book or watch the movie to get the best sense of how the author/director was able to accomplish all of these components by showing rather than telling.