IN 25 WORDS OR LESS by Joanne Guidoccio
After completing my novel, I attended a number of workshops where the facilitators stressed the importance of a hook or logline. What is a hook/logline? Very simply, it is a concise sentence that answers the question: What is your novel about? An effective logline provides enough interest to prolong the conversation with a prospective agent or publisher, encourages readers to pick up the book, and creates tweetable buzz. At first, I found it a daunting task. How could I possibly condense 69,000 words into 25 words or less? I started by looking at the some of the great hooks in literature and cinema: A man goes into the jungle to search for a missing general. (Heart of Darkness) A reclusive chocolateer opens up his factory to the lucky children who find golden tickets. (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) A sea captain forces his crew to search for an elusive white whale. (Moby Dick) A train engine thinks it can make it up a hill. (The Little Engin...