Welcome to the Helping Writers Become Authors Podcast. I'm K M. Wyland and I am here to take you

deep with story theory, writing techniques, and the incredible wisdom of story.

I believe story is the greatest power on this earth,

and that as writers, we carry the torch of wielding that power

with responsibility, passion, and skill.

There is no such thing as just a story.

Today, it is my honor and my purpose

to help you write your best story,

astound the world, and maybe change your life.

Hello and welcome.

You are listening to The Secrets of Story Structure, Part 2, The Hook.

Readers are like fish, smart fish.

Fish who know authors are out to get them, reel them in, and capture them for the rest of their seagoing lives.

Like all self-respecting fish, readers aren't caught easily.

They aren't about to surrender to the lure of your story unless you present them with an irresistible

hook. Naturally, our discussion of story structure begins at the beginning, and the beginning of any

good story is its hook. Unless you hook readers

into your story from the very first chapter, they won't swim in deep enough to experience

the rest of your rousing adventure, no matter how amazing it is.

The hook comes in many forms, stripped to its lowest common denominator, it's a question. If you can peak reader's curiosity, you've got them.

Simple as that.

The beginning of every story should present character, setting, and conflict. But in themselves, none of these are the

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