One of the realities of the writing life is that after you've written your amazing perfect story, you've got to entice people to read it.
So we all have hooks, those things that make us go Ah! or Wow! For many of us, these hooks are in the form of a stereotype.
Ugh, no! Not the STEREOTYPE.
Do you like brand better? or how about archetype? Whatever you call it, it's a character or trope or situation that's deep-rooted in our very psyche, and it gets our interest.
But here's the tidbit. Excite the reader with the stereotype -- then add a twist. Go off at a right angle or 180 degrees or swing your partner do-si-do all the way around. It freshens up the stereotype, it makes it your own, it gives it the pizzazz it needs to go from Ah! or Wow! to I want.
The sweet, shy maiden who gets stubborn when you threaten her friends.
The hooker with the heart of gold who's actually an undercover agent.
The up and coming rock star with an identical twin brother who is undercover and can't afford to be outed.
Go wild!
Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.
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