How to Write a Hook For Your Story
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Күн бұрынHow do you write a hook that grabs your reader's attention and pulls them through the first few pages (or first chapter) of your story? That's what today's video is all about! Comment below and tell me: what's YOUR favorite story hook?
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My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.
Story isn’t about “what happens” - it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel - and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!
✨C R E D I T S ✨
All movie clips and soundtracks used for educational purposes under the Fair Use law. Moana (2016) Frozen (2013) Tangled (2010) The Little Mermaid (1989) Beauty And The Beast (1991) Mulan (1998) Brave (2012) copyright Disney Animation Studios. Passengers (2016) copyright Village Roadshow Pictures and Start Motion Pictures.
@r.i.p.4485 3 жыл бұрын
Abby: "There's a secret ingredient to Disney movies, come on what is it?" Me: "MONEY!!!"
@AnnoyingMoose 3 жыл бұрын
Me: "The main character is an orphan."
@absolutelyabbie3510 3 жыл бұрын
@Domenic Buffaloe no one cares
@sanaayasureka8256 3 жыл бұрын
@@absolutelyabbie3510 It was kind of funny
@donalddeluxe6407 2 жыл бұрын
“NOW GET ME SOME GOD DAMN MONEY!!!!” - South Park Mickey mouse
@TomEyeTheSFMguy 2 жыл бұрын
Money! Money! Money! Money! Money! Money!
@kayeherl9195 4 жыл бұрын
What does every disney movie have in common to make you care about the character from the beginning? Me: dead parents?
@mesia2453 3 жыл бұрын
Me at first: O my god! Me after I realized: *silence
@RainbowRoger 2 жыл бұрын
Please, we all know it's the singing.
@yellow-ish4200 2 жыл бұрын
@@RainbowRoger true, true
@deckardcanine 5 күн бұрын
Some have both parents still alive but absent, like Aurora and Rapunzel.
@emmamichelsohn7515 4 жыл бұрын
I heard a suggestion from someone that if you don't like your first chapter, write the rest of the book and go back at the end. Since the more you write the better you get, and the more you write the story the better you understand the characters and events. The first chapter in my WIP is a wimpy little place holder, and now that I'm about 2/3 through my WIP I do feel like I have more insight into how to make it work better. But to top it all off, now I can pair what I already have, and my new ideas, with the stellar advice from this video. I'm actually not dreading it at all, which is exactly the feeling I like to have before rewriting a difficult chapter. :)
@gachandre317 3 жыл бұрын
yeah.. my friend was reading harry potter and he *HATED* it so bad. crazy right?!
@bluefish1796 3 жыл бұрын
This is one of the best pieces of advice!
@tuopsy 3 жыл бұрын
@@gachandre317 what does that have to do with anything?
@AucklandNZ1 3 жыл бұрын
@@tuopsy What does what have to do with anything? Elaborate please.
@tuopsy 3 жыл бұрын
@@AucklandNZ1 the comment i replied to...?
@lylaiscooler 3 жыл бұрын
I know this might sound dumb but I am 10 years old and I love to write story’s. I want to be an author, and this video helped me a lot! I have like 20 pieces of papers with beginning pages that totally flopped. But this made my characters feel more genuine. This is such a helpful video and I’d like to see more 😄 Edit: Thank you guys for your support! Its been a while and I’m still writing the introduction to my book. With me taking my time I feel like I get better results with my work. Also, instead of using this, I’ve kinda come up with my own method for hooks that’s more suit to me. Anyways, have a good day❤️
@turquoisermain 2 жыл бұрын
I can freaking relate to you. I’m a young teen and I have more than 20 documents with failed beginnings, and I almost gave up when I realised my mistake and began to focus on my characters. And, don’t ever give up, all right? :)
@DashiSama 2 жыл бұрын
Good luck! I know I found my passion for writing at the age of 8 :)
@lunalovegood616 2 жыл бұрын
@@turquoisermain I know right! I had some good ideas but didn’t plan them out and ended up with lots of three page documents..
@kittyqueen9000 2 жыл бұрын
Nothing dumb about it. Keep going, you'll get there.
@user-te7ws5sz1f 2 жыл бұрын
-You sound like me four years ago- But nothing's dumb about it
@noahlee2042 3 жыл бұрын
I honestly thought an ad started playing at 1:49 because of how it sounded... Geez that's how you know this is professional level quality.
@thedailychailatte 3 жыл бұрын
Same. I had my mind prepared for “Skip Ad” 🙂
@dragonartz3207 Жыл бұрын
I've discovered that the name of Chapter One can also make me want to read it more. Rick Riordan has mastered this, especially in Book One of Percy Jackson which is entitled: "I vaporized my pre-algebra teacher" This single sentence made me laugh so hard.
@teenat7044 Жыл бұрын
The only book I ever just randomly remember the first sentence of all the time, is book 5. "The end of the world started when a pegasus landed on the hood of my car." I also laughed at it lol
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@syberyah 4 жыл бұрын
"Rules? I've always thought of them more like guidelines anyway"
@alisonvenus4891 4 жыл бұрын
That’s what I always say! I’m glad someone else knows it.
@Starrthekid 3 жыл бұрын
I just watched the movie and saw this, are you a witch?
@kristine95660 3 жыл бұрын
This wins the internet!
@syberyah 3 жыл бұрын
@@kristine95660 Aww, thank you!!
@Big-guy1981 3 жыл бұрын
And how many copies of your book have you sold so far?
@dion789 3 жыл бұрын
'Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.' Doesn't get any better than that. There are not many books whose first sentence is engraved in my mind.
@Kiki-alienmom 2 жыл бұрын
Potterhead for life!
@VioletEmerald Жыл бұрын
Weird to make the hook all about getting us to sympathize with the internal conflict of Vernon Dursley's fear of losing normalcy/desire to maintain normalcy what that's not really that important to the book at all. The inciting incident in the Dursley's lives is the day Harry's parents are killed but this is all a prologue and backstory and not actually the inciting incident of this story. The real inciting incident is Harry being invited to attend Hogwarts and discovering there's a magical world.
@zoeotaku5608 Жыл бұрын
As much of a potterhead I am too, my fav and imo the best one I came across was: "Sophie had waited all her life to be kidnapped."
@K33TOPTRIS Жыл бұрын
"Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood." caught me good. (Speaking as a Potterhead myself, and a Percy Jackson fan as well.)
@ExploreTheWorldWithBri Жыл бұрын
@@zoeotaku5608 Oh yeah that was good
@hannahbyssainthe9271 3 жыл бұрын
I am 16 years old and I have 15 book ideas, all different plots. I am really glad that I found this channel, because I never know where to start. I'm like a newborn baby when it come to the writing world.
@hadim_mc 2 жыл бұрын
Im 18 and I also have many book ideas. And I keep finding new ideas.
@halleematthews5670 2 жыл бұрын
Gosh I feel you. Most of my friends like to write too, and I'm still known as the person who attempts six stories at once. 😂
@hadim_mc 2 жыл бұрын
@@halleematthews5670 are we crazy? 😂
@halleematthews5670 2 жыл бұрын
@@hadim_mc Absolutely! But that's the fun of it! 😂
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@ruriva4931 3 жыл бұрын
I like to think of the first chapter as a short story with an open ending.
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@adaliawright6891 Жыл бұрын
Ooh, that's an interesting way to look at it!
@stoppickingurnose7852 4 жыл бұрын
Dang, I was just editing my Prologue when this popped up on my phone.
@shiyuhe3499 4 жыл бұрын
😂
@saraoln 4 жыл бұрын
Well, you're in luck 😂😊.
@ace_of_cups4096 4 жыл бұрын
My characters desire: To let someone in and prove that just because her father left her, doesn't mean everyone will. Her fear: That they'll leave her, too, and prove her right.
@saraoln 3 жыл бұрын
Wow, that's good 👏🏻.
@sadlife9471 3 жыл бұрын
Nice, but isn't it "prove her wrong" tho? Sry for being a perfectionist lol
@thebardsblock2067 3 жыл бұрын
this is a very good example!
@zetjet9901 3 жыл бұрын
Nice 👌🏼
@afrozaayreen4869 3 жыл бұрын
this is literally me in a comment!!!
@stevenboxleitner4612 4 жыл бұрын
I am in writer heaven right now - I have been crossing my fingers for a series like this :D Thnx! You're a real inspiration to me :)
@princekermit0 4 жыл бұрын
i know right
@vminmotivationalcurve88yea64 3 жыл бұрын
How's your boom coming up?
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@nicodiangelo6788 8 ай бұрын
I misread and thought that said “I am a writer in heaven right now.” I had to do a double-take lol.
@TimRG 4 жыл бұрын
The best advice I have heard about the blending plot and character came from Brandon Sanderson. He says you are a master when you can advance plot, character, and setting (worldbuilding) all in a single sentence. He gave credit to Ursula K. Le Guin for being able to do this marvelously.
@captainpinky8307 3 жыл бұрын
did he give examples???
@jpjordan90 3 жыл бұрын
Like the opening of The Gunslinger
@TimRG 3 жыл бұрын
@@jpjordan90 Yes. It is such a simple opening line but by the end of the, you realize just how important it is.
@ezziba8240 2 жыл бұрын
I like Louis L'Amour's opening to Passin' Through. It implies the man you're reading about is a rough but capable character. A rowdy cowboy in rowdy country.
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@AsifHassan 3 жыл бұрын
Hook in my short story: MC's desire: to be a part of someone's life, to have a meaning. MC's fear: that she is unimportant to the world, that no one actually cares whether or not she exists.
@Jane-pm9wo 3 жыл бұрын
My desire: wants to write a great novel My fear: didn't know how to make it good That's right, all hoomans in earth have internal conflict, even me
@Jane-pm9wo 2 жыл бұрын
@Ana Geike Ooh, thank you for the idea! :D
@rob-karryhunt817 Жыл бұрын
Same
@destroyerinazuma96 Жыл бұрын
Imho "great" is a but of a liability here. It's good to have ambition nut at the same time "great" is hard to define and may push you into toxic comparison to others. I'd swap "great novel" for "a first draft I can appreciate on some level", for instance. Cause when you're starting from little, it's a lot more likely to complete and evaluate a palatable first draft than to directly end up in "great novel" territory.
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@SleepyHeadArts 3 ай бұрын
( new inspiration unlocked)
@jacindaellison3363 4 жыл бұрын
Finding Nemo does the same with backstory. From that, we understand why Marlin was overly protective of Nemo. He goes overboard with it without being out of character.
@TomEyeTheSFMguy 2 жыл бұрын
Well, it is in character for him to go overboard.
@jacindaellison3363 2 жыл бұрын
@@TomEyeTheSFMguy oh definitely. What I meant was that Marlin doesn’t get out of character, such as lying to how dangerous the ocean is or lying about a disease Nemo has in order to protect him. He is overly protective but knows that Nemo has to go to school which is why he had take him there.
@TomEyeTheSFMguy 2 жыл бұрын
@@jacindaellison3363 I see.
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@zm6342 4 жыл бұрын
I've been trying to develop healthier sleep habits and yet I still stayed up way too late last night reading the first third of your book! How dare you! 😂
@syberyah 4 жыл бұрын
Relatable.... I once stayed up until like 3 or 4 a.m. Reading Cinder by Marissa Meyer.
@mykellecarter7345 4 жыл бұрын
@@syberyah Ohmygod CINDER?!?
@mykellecarter7345 4 жыл бұрын
It's so good
@passantamreltarek9946 4 жыл бұрын
I just LOVE your passion for writing and psychology, and I very much relate! I'm 15 and I just found your channel (and literally watched every single one of the 97 videos you have), and I like how all your videos are related to each other, and the fact that you're just teaching the same writing method starting simple, going into more details with every video! Your videos just gave me an understanding of literature and why I love the books that I love and hate the ones that I hate. You're such an INSPIRATION, Abbie and please never stop what you're doing. You deserve to be heard by all the writers out there, because everyone should learn from you!
@AbbieEmmons 4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean so much to me, and I am thrilled that the content I make encourages you to chase your dreams and make your story MATTER!
@Friendship1nmillion 2 жыл бұрын
@@AbbieEmmons You { excellently } tell in your videos like you're a school teacher. { still can't get use to your voice & personality #NoOffence } . When telling your example with the Passenger movie , I'm disappointed you didn't mention about Jennifer Lawrence { Character } . No , by the way i haven't seen that movie. Also I love dogs. So I was hopeful while watching the video when you started mention of #Disney that you'd include a { visual } example of a live-action dog's movie { like " Homeward Bound " } . 👨💼42yrs 🤳🇦🇺🇳🇴
@Idontevenusethisshit_766 2 жыл бұрын
I'm 13 and I was thinking of writing a fanfiction for fun and this inspired me to go through with it :)
@morrigan_crow1709 Жыл бұрын
@@Idontevenusethisshit_766 Same! I wanted to write some fanfiction but didn't know how and then I came across Abbie's channel accidentally and now i'm really motivated.
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@RocketJo86 Жыл бұрын
Your video just made me realize something about an old story of mine. I wrote it back in middle school and never really lost interest in it. I like the characters and the world. But the more I learned about writing, the more distant I grew. I tried to edit it, re-write it, even re-plan it, afraid of cliche and stuff and ended with a monster of a story that I felt was even worse then what I wrote way back. I never really got why. Because my craft definitly was getting better, my experiences had grown - I KNEW how to write technically at least. But with watching your video I realized one point: In trying to avoid cliche, I decided not to have my protagonist watch his father be murdered. But that what defined him. My middle grade story actually had a great hook with my protag awakening from a nightmare and remembering his father's dead. That he died to rescue him and his brother. That conflict - could he as a five-year old at that time, have prevented his father's dead if he behaved correctly - is what drives him from the very start of the story. It's what makes him accept the king's proposal to become an army officer and what leads him to take revenge on the man behind his father's murder. I kept the plot points in every iteration of the story. But I lost my protag's internal conflict COMPLETLY. Thanks for making me realize it - probably rescuing that old piece of my soul ^^
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@TheMaltianRobloxian 9 ай бұрын
That's awesome!! This may be a bit too much, but if you ever publish it one day make sure to tell me the title so I can check out the first chapter and see if it hooks me!
@SpuunSpong 8 ай бұрын
Very similar to the opening of Renegades! Good trilogy by the way
@oddlysatisfying1790 3 жыл бұрын
My story Desire: that he wants to live a perfectly normal life without anyone dying, anything going wrong, without anything being his fault Wants everything he has to stay with him. His fear: that his life is destined for him to always have nothing. And that he can’t change it.
@SpiritedHeart94 4 жыл бұрын
7:25 my head snapped up when you said “genre” because it sounded too much like my name (Shandra) 😅😂😂😂
@ThreeFunnySisters 3 жыл бұрын
im 10 but i really want to be a writer. i sometimes sit down and write stories on google docs. i hope one day i can publish a book.
@davetaylor2088 3 жыл бұрын
I had the same dream at your age and I am now 49. I let my fear and all the people saying "You can't" stop me. Work out when your 'one day' is, work out what you need to know to get there and don't let anyone deter you (especially yourself!). I'd say 'good luck' but what I mean is dream, plan, do - luck has very little to do with it.
@davetaylor2088 3 жыл бұрын
PS: Abbie's videos seem like a good place to start!
@tophat2115 2 жыл бұрын
The Three-Act Structure This formula was used by ancient Greeks, and it’s one of Hollywood’s favorite ways to tell a story. It’s about as simple as you can get. Act I: The Set-Up Introduce your main characters and establish the setting. Brandon Sanderson, a popular fantasy writer, calls this the “inciting incident”- a problem that yanks the protagonist out of his comfort zone and establishes the direction of the story. Act II: The Confrontation Create a problem that appears small on the surface but becomes more complex. The more your protagonist tries to get what he wants, the more impossible it seems to solve the problem. Act III: The Resolution A good ending has: High stakes: your reader must feel that one more mistake will result in disaster for the protagonist. Challenges and growth: By the end, the protagonist needs to have grown as a person by overcoming myriad obstacles. A solution: All the trials and lessons your character has endured help him solve the problem. Suzanne Collins’s bestselling young adult trilogy, The Hunger Games, uses the three-act structure.
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@maxvoroshilov3207 5 ай бұрын
Thanks, what a nice summary! ... I mean i have heard about this countless times, but then there is always a nice more cutting through way of describing these elements of structure. Just as you did! now reading this gave me an idea that I should put my protagonist through more negative experiences to make him really chase the only treasure he can finally be satisfied with.
@deez6285 3 жыл бұрын
"what can everyone relate to" Me: anxiety
@Quietcloud 4 жыл бұрын
This was the best explanation of a story hook I've ever heard! I get it FINALLY. Internal conflict.
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@smileywarhead5178 Жыл бұрын
People who are fundamentally opposed to prologues and backstories only tell "And Then" Stories Now: hiding a flashback within a story told by another character... that's the best of both worlds!
@muskankaur3126 4 жыл бұрын
I didn't understand at first, but then when u showed the Disney princess scenes I was shocked.
@hannahentz2968 3 жыл бұрын
Yes that was so helpful (and funny)!
@exist6nce 4 жыл бұрын
I’m going to implement this into my music
@syberyah 4 жыл бұрын
That's actually really interesting. I'm curious how you plan to go about that.
@Eki_________ 4 жыл бұрын
I love how I'm the opposite. I try to incorporate musical composition in my story lol.
@syberyah 4 жыл бұрын
@@Eki_________ Yeah, I actually wrote a lullaby for my current WIP and I'm really happy with it. I may end up writing a more upbeat song for it too; a ballad maybe. It's a story about pirates so I feel like music fits quite well. :)
@michaelcauchy4430 4 жыл бұрын
Bold call. I hear the hook brings you back.
@happyfellowship4291 3 жыл бұрын
DUDE that's so cool!
@sidjohnson9413 4 жыл бұрын
Me: already has a really strong hook Also me: watches this video
@saraoln 4 жыл бұрын
Some extra tips never hurt, right 😂? I mean: unless I were doing it wrong the whole time, then I would panic...
@ieatbees3195 4 жыл бұрын
sierra johnson always room to better yourself 😊
@jenniferr8639 3 жыл бұрын
Same 😹
@louisehad 4 жыл бұрын
Why am I only discovering your channel now? Your video gave me a lot of ideas and made me realize a lot of things about the story I'm currently writing. The other videos you suggested seem just as great, I'm going to watch them right now. +1 suscriber
@AbbieEmmons 4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean so much to me, and I am thrilled that the content I make encourages you to chase your dreams and make your story MATTER!
@rebeccasperring1747 4 жыл бұрын
I know right? I've been watching author tube videos for YEARS. Found the channel yesterday. Pick up your game KZfaq recommendations!
@lyndacamacho1056 Жыл бұрын
@@AbbieEmmons Love your videos
@knz6212 Жыл бұрын
I met one of great story teller He told me something great He said " Every story can attract readers to it but you have to make sure you put your story in correct order or else even a best stories around world can be worst stories."
@justanormalhumanbeing1903 9 ай бұрын
Even when a book doesnt have a good hook, i still read on because possibly that author couldnt write it well and the rest is incredible. Ive heard my friends abandoning books because the first few lines werent interesting, and i picked up those books, read through them and they were amazing. (Though i do have a compelling need for closure so once i start reading i need to know the ending.)
@abhinitichaubey 4 жыл бұрын
Frozen is really the best example for making the audience hook and care about the character
@Mandus_The_Mad Жыл бұрын
God the more I look into advice regarding hooks and first chapters the more and more I fall in love with My Hero Academia.
@d34ddud3 2 ай бұрын
When Abbie mentions the part about rules not being constricting all I can think is: Rules are made to be broken. The apprentice learns the rules so they know why each rule is there. The master who knows all the rules knows which ones to break and how in order to accomplish the same goal the rule was in place for, but in a creative and different way.
@JoleCannon Жыл бұрын
I think I wrote a good introductory hook for my debut novel (still in draft). A professional editor read the first 3000 words (for a charge of course), and she gave me a lot of great advice, critiques, etc. What I remember and loved is she said she cared about my main character and what is happening to him. She wants to learn more about his life and where it's going. That warmed my heart.
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@trilobite3120 Жыл бұрын
I pay my editor with muffins.
@earthstuart 11 ай бұрын
That's wonderful news! Keep it up.
@JoleCannon 11 ай бұрын
@@trilobite3120, I need to try this. I bake Portuguese Custard Tarts. I bet I could attract great editors with them. :)
@JoleCannon 11 ай бұрын
@@earthstuart, thank you. 😊
@AB-solutely813 Жыл бұрын
This may be weird, but I really like the first few pages. It’s really fun for me to just get my ideas on paper and start fresh! Now the second chapter, that’s what scares me 😅
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@Nico-mz9gq Ай бұрын
I should rewatch this every time I begin a new story. I was 7,000 words in & still hadn’t solidified my hook…until I watched this. Thank you ❤
@tatayonnataylor2137 2 жыл бұрын
I am a 12 year old aspiring author, I am currently writing a novel and I watch your videos all the time!! They help me so much, so thank you for all your videos cause they help me so much :)
@lh8649 4 жыл бұрын
Okay, I’m convinced. Abbie is a genius.
@luna_balloona0967 2 жыл бұрын
I've been writing stories since i knew how to and now me and my bsf are writing a 6 book series together! We're 12 and 13 and our dream is to be professional authors Your videos are LIFESAVERS FR!!!! I gave all our characters internal conflict and now im considering rewriting my first chapter or adding a new chapter just so i can show the starting protagonists' internal conflict.
@s93532 4 жыл бұрын
Abbie, I have to say, you are probably my favourite KZfaqr - across all areas. Your content is so well organised. It’s relevant, informative, and practical; and your delivery is the perfect amount of entertaining as well as to-the-point! You’re not only a writer but a natural teacher, too 👌🏼
@TNcFlipbook Жыл бұрын
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@reveoncelink6133 2 жыл бұрын
Sis, you're a LIFESAVER, and I mean it. Like seriously, can we take a moment to appreciate the efforts she has made to help us and become better writers? Keep it up, sis! You're amazing!✨ Your new subscriber here!❤
@sarahg4613 4 жыл бұрын
You glow like a writing princess/guru/superhuman! I LOVED your examples--I need to go watch Passengers now tbh, and I'm so excited for this series!
@happyfellowship4291 3 жыл бұрын
Cracks me up how you just call the male lead in Passengers Chris Pratt instead of his actual name or whatever. Lol. Your videos are amazing!! I'm using this series to outline my novel right now, and now that I have my protagonist's desire, fear, and misbelief ALL set in stone, I really get it and I'm making so much progress! Thanks for your teaching and advice!!
@stefaniestolinsky942 Жыл бұрын
I am checking out all your videos. You don't need to remind us constantly. I do it anyway and it interferes with what you're teaching, which I am craving to learn. I really want to READ your book to see the hook. That is a great example.
@adriengaro5289 3 жыл бұрын
It's funny thinking about the Lord of the rings and how it's beginning is just pages and pages describing the happy and uneventful life of Hobbits...
@sunsetsky9885 2 жыл бұрын
I think the reason was that he wrote it for himself and was never really sure if he even wanted it published.
@odojang 2 жыл бұрын
@@sunsetsky9885 According to the 25th anniversary edition of the trilogy, Tolkien in fact didn't want to write it at all! What he wanted to publish was The Sillmarillon. But his editor wanted more Hobbit stories, not this dry, heavy pseudo-history treatise. So he made a deal with Tolkien to publish it if he would give him an equally big Hobbit story. Hence why he lost himself in the details of Hobbit life for almost half of the book, procrastinated for so long and even short-circuited the whole story and almost ended it right in the middle of the current first tome with the introduction of Tom Bombadil. This would explain why the first book is so slow, tedious and frankly boring hundreds of pages of exposition with little going on, while the two following tomes are action-packed, character rich and fast-paced.
@opalfenwick3953 2 жыл бұрын
@odojang o_o I loved the hobbit so much I was reading it with one hand and whisking my cream of wheat with the other because I could not put it down but I could not starve either :|
@odojang 2 жыл бұрын
@@opalfenwick3953 Obviously you were not the only one :)
@toriality6602 4 жыл бұрын
Every time Abbie says "subscribe" I go to do it and then realize I did it ages ago. If only I could do it over and over again!! For real, though: I think I've figured out why I like your videos so much? I'm pretty much strictly a fantasy writer--swords, magic, go easy on the dragons... and I feel like the fantasy field is kind of recovering from all the years of info-dumping and "I'm gonna tell you not show you" exposition, and all the paragraphs describing a landscape that most of us skimmed through because we wanted to get back to the characters, etc etc... Pretty much a melting pot of all the things people say you shouldn't do (go team). My point is I think that somewhere in the recovery process, writers were like "JUST DON'T DO THESE THINGS" when really, now that we have acknowledged the edge of that blade, the right context/formula means we could learn to use the blade instead of cut our stories and readers to pieces with it. Does that make sense? I think we are going to be entering an age of writers who are going to learn from the "mistakes" of writers before them, with a certain sense of awareness and a peculiar connection to their works. Backstory? Exposition? Flashbacks? A heap of other things people warn you not to do? I think (lol) that it's important to remember that writing is as dynamic as we are. Whether it's the argument about showing versus telling, or if it's the flashback "demon" coming for you, or whatever it is... I don't really know if I like when people call them mistakes anymore, or things "not do to," because I feel like that lobs off half of the writing process we get to explore. Omg, I'm sorry for the rant?? Basically, your videos (and you) are amazing because I feel like you are one of the writer's with a grown mindset, and I super appreciate you dedicating your time and energy to sharing that with the world. Thank you, Abbie!
@melissamarie2256 4 жыл бұрын
Oof i know right. Her explanations make so much sense. And other people don't for me or it's just stuff I already know😂 she helps alot
@izstrella 4 жыл бұрын
I love this series already. Thank you, Abbie!
@esthykechan 2 жыл бұрын
you helped me realize why I don’t like the beginning of my story, it’s because it’s all external
@Developer_33 Ай бұрын
Abbie you are a national treasure, you are simply the best
@kevinreily2529 2 жыл бұрын
You are providing a great service for people who actually want to write a novel, or any kind of story. I salute you for that.
@MikeActualLi Жыл бұрын
I write screenplays; no inkling to write books. But your videos are so incredibly helpful for any format of writing!
@The_Queer_Geek 4 күн бұрын
Wonderful videos! I'm so glad I found your channel! I'm binge-watching! I've never studied creative writing and feel like I'm taking a great course! You are a terrific teacher! Thank you.
@idaeja 3 ай бұрын
Abbie is so good at producing her videos and her eyebrows are fire. Just had to put that out there.
@sumadey4993 4 жыл бұрын
Wow, I am so excited for this series!! I literally feel like you've fixed the idea of the 3-act story structure in my head permanently from the past videos of it, but it's still never enough. Looking forward to the next video.😊
@AquilesAwK1 2 жыл бұрын
i've been consuming storytelling content on YT for quite a while and i just found your channel. OMG your format is amazing! congrats!
@TheDreadlockDogMan 3 жыл бұрын
You explain what others couldn't. The books that bore me... now I know why. The books I love... now I know why. Thanks for putting so much effort into making these gem videos.
@theflufftalk9507 3 жыл бұрын
At like 1:40 i thought a ad came on, i was thinking "ughhhh!! I'm already watching a writing video!!!" 😂👍so great opening!!!
@weronikag7660 3 жыл бұрын
you're giving me so much inspiration ;_; thank you i literally was scared of starting but now i feel like maybe i will be able to finally write something
@bandicrawford2795 4 жыл бұрын
This is such a great video! Thank you for posting this, I needed this one this week! So helpful
@ahobbit111 4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for creating these videos. I just found your channel today by accident and your content is so amazing. I've read quite a few books on how to write a novel and you have been one hundred percent on point. I am currently writing my own first novel and I created my "hook" with the internal/external conflict without knowing specifically why at the time. Looking back upon it, I can see how what I wrote plays into the characters wants/needs and draws the reader in.
@Nourahmedhs 4 жыл бұрын
I love what you are doing abbie. You’re really helping me.
@Psy560 Жыл бұрын
I’m 14, I’ve been trying to write books since I was 6. I finished my first book as a 7 year old, but I can’t get an opening I’m proud of, no matter what. This has really helped end I’m hoping to get a book published by the time I’m 18 and this is one of the things that’s given me the ability to develop as a writer and has given me so much confidence in my writing. Thank you for giving me the ability to get this far.
@y7nic0re Жыл бұрын
Gosh dang, you've been writing books since 6 years of age? dang! You're SURE to become really successful! keep it up, im sure you're stories are AMAZING!
@Psy560 Жыл бұрын
@@y7nic0re honestly they’re not that good mostly fantasy books and as I’ve got older most of them are based on DnD I can’t lie they’re not that good though
@y7nic0re Жыл бұрын
@@Psy560 Fantasy books are good! I don't know what DnD is but it feels like something i should be aware of, but im sure you're books are good!
@Psy560 Жыл бұрын
@@y7nic0re dungeons and dragons it’s a fantasy role playing game
@y7nic0re Жыл бұрын
@@Psy560 that's a good game! you should be proud of yourself!
@sycamoretree7788 2 жыл бұрын
You were exactly what I needed. I'm in love with this series. Your energy and passion is amazing.
@mom2many166 4 жыл бұрын
Awesome, thanks again Abby!
@noorqueen2850 3 жыл бұрын
I swear to god I don’t know what I would be doing without this amazing writer ❤️ you are the best sis
@selihal 4 жыл бұрын
So basically I‘ve been watching your videos since a few days and I improved my story so much already. I really got to the point where I just stopped worldbuilding for a moment and took a breath, opened my laptop and began getting to know my characters. I was shocked by how LESS I knew about my protagonists and how much I relied on the few aspects I figured out about her in order to just make the world fitting and unique. Nevertheless I carried on working on my protagonist and I think I pretty much am finished with her. She is a regular person (almost haha), who I got to know. I am really confident about her, but still: I was SO struggling with my outline. I rewatched your video on the first Act of the book and managed myself through the different aspects. When the hook came up, I watched this video. When the character arc came up, I switched to the character building video. And so on. I think you got the pattern. But you know what I‘ve just realized? The reason I still struggle with the hook is not the well known „I don‘t know how to start my book“, it rather is the problem of me not knowing what the external problem is. I spent 3 days working on the internal conflict of ONE of my characters, but absolutely forgot about the external conflict, even though it was mentioned throughout every video I’ve watched! Here is the problem: I knew what I was going for when the story came into my mind. And I really was confident about the world, because I created it JUST the way it is. God, I even knew why I chose my protagonist to be just the way she is. And still, I forgot to outline the exact external conflict, so that I could actually have a proper setting for the internal conflict. Don‘t get me wrong, I do know what the story will be about, I just have to write in clear words, what I want the external conflict to be about. Like in detail. And hopefully, by the time I got that figured out, I can finally begin writing. Thank you so much for all the videos you filmed and published, Abbie! I really was so lost with my story, I stopped working on it. Not because I didn‘t like it anymore, but rather because I was just overwhelmed by the non-existent structure.
@megs6990 3 жыл бұрын
The perfect hook literally hit me as I was watching this! Thank you!!❤❤
@user-lyssa.0 2 жыл бұрын
I'm pretty nervous about writing my novel, but each video I watch in this series gives me a better outlook and even more ideas I had before. Thank you!
@gernblanston5018 4 жыл бұрын
I came across your videos by chance, looking for info on Scrivener. I am a disabled 50 year old. was looking for something to do with my time. i love to read. so i thought, lets right a book. i did not know where to even start. but your videos have inspired me that it is possible with a little 101 knowledge, and some time researching i can do this. so thank you.
@godhathirumalaianandanpill3140 3 жыл бұрын
My character's desire: To know the truth behind the beginning of everything Her fear: The truth itself because what if it isn't what she wanted it to be and everything spirals out of control when she knows it?
@jacindaellison3363 3 жыл бұрын
Ooooh, that sounds great! How is the book coming along?
@aadyapanday6049 3 жыл бұрын
Amazing
@shaillamaeb.revilla7949 2 жыл бұрын
We have the same internal conflict but the problem is we have to be very detailed about it. And that's the writing process itself.
@garlandthompson5970 4 жыл бұрын
The quality of these videos is blowing my mind, and your clever and charming! Instant sub!
@amnesiayourself2213 3 жыл бұрын
i’m excited to watch this series!!! i’ve been learning a lot about writing the past year, and found out about the 3 act structure and have been using it, and i’m looking forward to learning more from you about it 💞
@hannahentz2968 3 жыл бұрын
I'm LOVING these videos!
@melissaspencer8889 4 жыл бұрын
Excellent information, & I loved the Disney montage. Thanks for sharing.
@Onkruidentuintje 4 жыл бұрын
Ahahahhaha i honostly laughed at your disney montage, the little texts!
@Jenballable 2 жыл бұрын
Just came across this channel 2 days ago, have watched a few videos, and already have discovered so much about my characters that I didn't even know I knew! I always find that when I try to write I struggle with where to start and with what's actually important to the audience. I feel like all of my ideas are just abstract thoughts floating around and that I can't piece together to make them coherent. Your videos have really helped me to organise some of these thoughts, and for the first time in a long time I've actually started to take action on an idea I have, I'm finally writing again! So thank you, you've definitely gained a lifelong subscriber.
@Angel-lk1ir 3 жыл бұрын
I love this, you are fantastic at explaining and helping others understand. Just subscribed and can’t wait to watch your other videos! 💚
@ieatbees3195 4 жыл бұрын
I have a hook that basically starts as an older version of my main character reflecting on the story “I still remember the day I fell off the grid, with little trace. The day my life got ripped to pieces and my plans thrown down the drain. How it all started, what part I played and how I was thrown out to brave the wilderness of forests and city streets at the age of seventeen to survive somehow, barely an adult, barely graduated, barely prepared for the awful events leading up to that fateful day.” I feel like it’s okay, but this book is going to full of some tense moments, and I wanted the reader to feel like they were just as unsure about the mc’s safety as he is, but with the “I remember..” bit, it makes me feel like it will give readers a sense of reassurance about it all. Which is not the greatest, since the book is about fear and survival, as well as finding peace in difficult situations. I think it’s good, but kinda counterproductive of what I’m trying to accomplish.
@oddlysatisfying1790 3 жыл бұрын
I think it’s great! And your book sounds exciting! Don’t know if you’re still writing it or not, but to tense it up a bit, you should change fell to something more extreme and worrying. To kinda like make the audience worry about whether if your mc is okay or not, even after the event. To say how horrible it was. And I suggest saying “I will always remember the day...”, I feel like it gives you this cautious feeling of importance or something. You know? Idk, that’s usually how I make the readers feel something. I heard you’re supposed to catch they’re attention. Don’t know if this is gonna help or if this is just stupid logic.
@dancersupreme3023 4 жыл бұрын
Watching this and trying to figure out my hook has helped me zone in on my internal conflict and I’m so happy I did because now I can figure out my hook better.
@AbbieEmmons 4 жыл бұрын
So glad this video helped!
@priscillaporto3861 Жыл бұрын
As an emerging writer I have to say “Thank you!” You explain in a simple way and has a great voice and screen presence. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@Chanelle208 2 жыл бұрын
This is amazing. I have ideas for how my novel is going to pan out, but I suck at planning and outlining and these videos help me flesh out the little details. I thought it would be obvious to write a story with all these things such as the opening hook and pinch points, since they're all present in the books we love, yet I found myself surprised at how little I know and how helpful these videos are. There is indeed a structure to every story and it's not just plain characters and info dumped out on a page, there must be a reason for every character to be there, goals, conflicts, which make the story come alive. Many beginner writers such as myself miss these obvious steps. That's why it's important to accept criticism and study the story structure.
@kennedypatton7874 3 жыл бұрын
The best hook I ever read /saw was Anne with an E and Anne of Green Gables
@barrai1074 3 жыл бұрын
Abbie, Please promise all aspiring authors that you will keep teaching the craft. I’ve learned more in watching 5 of your videos than in years of “wandering through the darkness.” You are an asset to the literary world!
@anusha.inspire Жыл бұрын
You are awesome, Abbie. I love you being so natural and sharing all those gems. Thank you!
@natearts 3 жыл бұрын
These are all so great. You deserve WAY more views and subs!!!
@brianquinn7689 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks, I was freaking about my first chapter when this popped up
@andreabknight 4 жыл бұрын
Hi Abbie love your videos, they are so useful and uplifting/motivating. I was wondering- are you thinking about doing a video about writing short stories? This would be really useful. p.s. I loved your book :-)
@AbbieEmmons 4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean so much to me, and I am thrilled that the content I make encourages you to chase your dreams and make your story MATTER!
@heyhoneybunny763 3 жыл бұрын
I learn so much with your Channel,Abbie! Thank you♡
@aleborge4761 4 ай бұрын
I have been watching Abbie ever since 2021 and her videos have completely changed the way I write my books. I used to be scared and intimidated by the three act structure, but the way she teaches you about it is absolutely perfect and I genuinely think because of Abbie, and her wonderful videos, I will finally write a book I am proud of
@sarakhadel8236 4 жыл бұрын
I had a hook but I wasn't sure if it fit my character and how they think so this was a video that helped me feel more confident with myself and my writing. Thanks, Abbie!
@AbbieEmmons 4 жыл бұрын
I'm so glad!
@magicfeliuri2681 Жыл бұрын
@@AbbieEmmons
@infurnus3541 11 ай бұрын
🧤
@ashlyntaylor1065 4 жыл бұрын
you are so pretty!!!!❤️❤️❤️
@paulapoetry 4 жыл бұрын
Another awesome video. Thanks, Abbie. 😃💝
@OlgaKuznetsova 2 жыл бұрын
Your videos make me so excited to write! You are such a great teacher!!!
@stronggirlsyndrome 4 жыл бұрын
Aaah! Saw this and stopped everything to click! 🤩 lol
@zetjet9901 3 жыл бұрын
I keep thinking your intro is a Master Class ad or something lol
@pacitaalvarez5878 2 жыл бұрын
Where have you been all my life. YOU WERE EVERYTHING I DIDNT KNOW I NEEDED. Thank you, you have done so much miracle working with this challenge. New subscriber 👏
@literaryartist1 3 жыл бұрын
Most definitely appreciate your breakdown of-not just-the Hook, but also of Internal Conflict. Never really thought of it in those terms. 👍👍
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