. . . Hooking READERS, that is! (what did you think I meant?!) *wink wink*

The components of a romance novel are by no means static. Now days, heroes are more heroic and heroines are made of decidedly sterner stuff. Writing is more active and the love scenes are hot enough to singe a gal’s eyebrows.

Amdist all the evolution there is one factor that has remained the same . . . delivering up a hook strong enough to keep a reader coming back for more.

The question on every writer’s mind is: HOW?

During a recent trip to the grocery store (sans kids), I shimmied on over to the book rack to do a little “research”. The world was my oyster at this point! I didn’t have two kids squawking and squalling in a cart to rain on my parade.

I scanned the first pages of six Regency Historicals and was pleasantly surprised with the findings. Some relied on a clever situation to snare my attention while others used the “grab-ya-by-the *bleep*” kind of first line.

The one I bought? I couldn’t resist one of the intriguing first scenes. Although, I will say some of those hum-dinger lines were pretty hard to pass up! Easy to see why those gals get the big shopping money!

So, what’s the magic equation to writing a killer first line? Does such a thing exhist?

Maybe I’m not the one to answer that question. After all, I still believe there are little elves stuffed in a tree somewhere out making all those yummy chocolate covered cookies just for me! lol

I think if someone were to solve this age old riddle, they’d be ga-zillionaires. Bigger than Oprah. Seriously!

The bottom line is: Every writer should know what it is about their genre that appeals to the traget audience. The easiest way to do this is to read A LOT! Call it research, that’s what I do. Ha! If only learning about the Kreb’s Cycle and Glycolytic Pathways had been this fun!

Besides reading, a writer needs to make a diligent effort to spend the time with their booty planted in the chair! Learning craft is only half of the battle. Application is other.

The same principle applies to motherhood. Sure, I read every single pregnancy book in print, but no amount of research prepared me for a newborn who didn’t get the memo on how she was supposed to act. Confusing? Yes. Daunting? A little. Insurmountable? NO.

We’re moms! There isn’t much we can’t do. Shoot, just look at what a little “mommy-spit” on a Kleenex can do for a grubby face! After surviving motherhood, “hooking” can’t be all that hard! :)

What about you? What kind of “hooker” are you? Do you have any insight to share on how to snag a reader’s attention? Better yet, what snags your attention?

For more on Sarah Simas, check out her blog: The Lovestruck Novice and the get in on the round table discussion with her CP group: Friday Night Write