So you have decided to write an ebook. Congrats! Now comes the difficult part: writing the introduction. Done right, a good introduction can help pull the reader into the story and keep them there.
There are several approaches to writing an effective ebook intro. Each step of the way, you will find advice and examples from popular writers to help you craft the perfect opening for your novel.
The Hook
A hook is a very short phrase, sentence, or words that immediately grab the attention of your reader. In an ebook, the hook is the first part of the introduction. Before we get into the nitty gritty of the intro, let’s examine the types of hooks used by bestselling authors:
- A hook that draws in
- A hook that keeps
- A hook that makes the reader want more
Whether you are writing a novella or a full-blown novel, your hook should do three things for your reader:
- Grab them
- Hold their attention
- Make them want more
The first two may seem like opposite ends of the spectrum, but they aren’t. Your hook should somehow resonate with your reader. When I say’somehow,’ I mean it in the sense that it shouldn’t be too loud or soft. Something that is just right.
Let’s take a look at some real-world examples of hooks followed by the authors who used them.
1. A Simple Hook That Drew Attention
The first hook that grabbed my attention and hasn’t let go since was Simple, yet effective:
“When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming an author someday. Then one day my aunt gave me a copy of the Sherlock Holmes short stories. From that moment on, I knew that I would write books!”
It was simply stated, but it held a lot of information. The reader knows exactly who the protagonist is. They also know that the book is about Sherlock Holmes and what he believes in. However, the twist is that the reader doesn’t know that the author is a woman. This simple, yet effective, piece of information gives the reader the chance to go in with fresh eyes and see the story from a different perspective.
2. A Short Hook That Kept Me Interested
Here is another great example of a short hook that kept me interested:
“After my wife and I were married, we moved to Florida. Soon after, we bought a sailboat and began taking it out on the water. The wind was blowing, the water was rushing by, and suddenly, there was a sound that I couldn’t place. It was like a bird call or the sound of waves crashing against a shore. At first, I thought it was strange that nature would be calling us at such a time, but then I realized that it was only the waves crashing against the boat that I was hearing.”
A boat is a very common setting for an adventure or romance novel, so this was a natural fit for Mr. Reed. He was able to incorporate an element of something he loved into his novel. The author uses a short, yet powerful hook, which draws the reader into the story.
3. A Way To Impress Your Reader
The final point I want to make about hooks is that they can be used to impress your reader. Did you know that some authors will use fake names when listing their books on Amazon? For example, John Reed may write under a pseudonym, Jack McEvoy. The reason John Reed uses this technique is that he wants to make the reader feel like they are discovering something new and can’t wait to read more.
In order to do this, he needs to hook the reader on the very first page. This is why he opted for something simple like “When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming an author someday.” This brief sentence, although seemingly simple, does an amazing job of making the reader feel like they are on a journey with Jack McEvoy, the author.
Types Of Intro
Now that you have a good idea of what a hook is, let’s examine the different types of intros you can use when writing your ebook.
An intro can be described as a short piece of text that provides context or introductions to the elements included in the text. The most common purpose of an intro is to draw the reader into the story or event being presented. When used correctly, intros can be an effective tool for grabbing the attention of your reader and holding it throughout the entire story.
You have several options when it comes to writing an intro for your ebook. The first one is:
- A short story that acts as an introduction to the full-length novel (often called a novella).
- A standalone short story that introduces the main characters and/or explains the historical context of the story.
- A slightly longer piece of prose that functions as an epilogue or post-story wrap-up.
You should use whichever one you feel will be the most effective in drawing the reader into the story. Remember, you are trying to capture an audience that has never heard of you or your work. This means that any type of introduction is essentially a gamble, but you are willing to take it because you know that your chances of success are slim. In order to succeed, you need to put in the work and write a damn good intro.
Since the purpose of your intro is to introduce your work to a new audience, your first and most critical decision is to decide on the point of view (or perspectives) from which you will tell the story. Once you have done that, you can begin to choose a style and approach that suits your story best. Then, you can take a deep breath and begin to write. Fortunately, you have experts in your corner, and they are more than happy to help you out.
Subheadings And Paragraphs
When the time comes for you to start writing your book, you will most likely break it down into chapters. Just remember that each chapter will have its own intro as well, so be sure to keep everything in context. This means that if you are writing a history book, you will want to set the stage for the reader by including an intro for each stage of history. It is essential that the intros are not too similar to each other or else the reader will get confused.
When writing an intro, you should keep the following in mind:
- Make it intriguing
- Be unique
- Use relevant details
- Be concise
If you want to make your reader curious about your story, then use subheadings to organize and segment your content. For example, you can use the following three subtitles to introduce the characters, setting, and plot of your book:
- Introduction: A Short Story About Me
- Chapter One: Setting The Stage
- Chapter Two: Characters And Plot
By using these subtitles, you are able to organize and segment your content into distinct parts, making it easier for the reader to navigate. While this may seem like a trivial point, anyone who has ever tried to read a draft with no table of contents will agree that it is indeed a life saver.
Style
When deciding on a writing style, you want to pick something that suits your book best. There are several options to choose from, including:
- First person point of view – Describing the events from the protagonist’s perspective.
- Third person point of view – Describing the events from an objectively neutral viewpoint.
- Third person limited point of view – The narrator provides only selective information about the events.
If you decide to use the third person point of view, you should pick someone who will provide as much new information as possible while still maintaining objectivity. It is best to choose an Apex Legends character artist for this role.