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reminiscing with introspection about a lost love etc. No, start in the action, in the thick of things. In my story, The Rat of Fury, I chose to start like this

*"Miss Brightman?" Sunshine turned toward the unfamiliar voice questioning her.In the corridor of her office building, Sunshine faced a medium built man. Dressed in full police uniform, the officer looked directly into her eyes. She'd never seen him before, never really seen any officer up close and personal.

Sadness lingered in his copper brown eyes. Sunshine's sharp sense of intuition told her he didn't want directions to the nearest donut shop. Something bad must have happened, very bad.

"You are Miss Sunshine Brightman, correct?"

"Yes?" she answered and noted he looked a little lost as to what to say next. With her heart striking up a faster pace, Sunshine pressed him for more detail. "What can I do for you, Officer?"*

To me this started the story off with mystery and intrigue. I have had excellent feedback on this story being what they call a page turner.
With my first story, Sea Lover, I began like this

*Snapping her head to the left, Leanna felt slightly startled. Something had moved. Scanning the swirling surf pounding below, she darted her eyes back and forth.

My overactive imagination or sunstroke, no surprise today. Must be the hottest day of the summer, she thought.

Movement again! Her eyes flicked now to the right.

Damn straight I saw something! But who would be swimming out here? No one could possibly swim out here. She looked down at the threatening waters.
The burning yellow of the sun reflecting off the water made it hard to see. Leanna appreciated the cool mist of sea-spray caressing her face as it floated up and over the massive rock.

Inhaling the sultry smell of the ocean had become her favorite pastime. To make love in the seductive ebb and flow of the sea remained her one desire. Sure, she'd had plenty of skinny dipping romps, but to make love? Now that would be the ultimate.*

Now this e-book is still selling but the start is a little cliche and boring. That's not to say readers won't enjoy it, but it won't get that far if a publisher says "blech". When I subbed to my first online publisher they obviously saw something in my writing and gave me a chance. But had it been a Bricks and Mortar I may not have been awarded the same courtesy.

In fact I'd had a few rejections and learned from them. I saw E-Books as a way to get both feet wet and learn as much as I could about what publishers wanted so I could sub to the bricks and mortar and get published. The assumption proved correct and now there are more E-Pubbers than ever and even some of the big publishing houses have jumped on the electronic download bandwagon.

But rest assured, readers the world over still love to curl up with a good book in their hands. And if you want your book to be that book then get a great hook. Quite poetic that sentence wasn't it. Maybe I should be writing Dr Seuss books

The beginning isn't the only place a hook is handy. The end of every chapter needs a great hook. The end of every scene needs great hook. Even down to paragraphs and sentences. Make the reader want to read on. Try not to end a chapter with a character falling asleep; chances are your readers just might do the same.

Learn more about this author, Wendy Mackrell.
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