5 Elements of a Scene: #5 a Closing Hook by Kayelle Allen
We`ve been discussing the elements of a scene. In fiction, a scene is where action occurs (scene of the crime), or an incident takes place (a seduction, an argument, a beginning conflict), etc.
Good scenes consist of five things. An opening hook, a complication, a discovery, a response, and a closing hook.
We`ve discussed the first four here:
#1 Opening Hook https://coffeetimeromance.com/advice-for-authors-by-kayelle-allen/
#2 Turning Point https://coffeetimeromance.com/5-elements-of-a-scene-2-the-turning-point-by-kayelle-allen/
#3 Discovery https://coffeetimeromance.com/5-elements-of-a-scene-3-revelations-by-kayelle-allen/
#4 Reaction https://coffeetimeromance.com/5-elements-of-a-scene-4-a-reaction-by-kayelle-allen/
#5 Closing Hook
Now let`s get to the final element, the closing "hook" that will propel the reader to the next scene (or book).
Closing Hook
How do you decide on a closing hook with punch? A solid closing hook will end with a decision, however unlikely at the beginning. In fact, your closing will reflect the opening in some way.
What is your protagonist`s inner conflict? How has that been shaken—or evolved? What elements of the scene or story made their conflict worse? Is there something in the situation that you can tie to their reaction to create a question?
In fact, learning to end on that moment of surprise or indecision is key to the hook. Less is more.
Example 1 – a man and a woman argue. Which hook is stronger?
He stalked off into the night.
She followed him.
OR
He stalked off into the night.
The second ending is the better hook. Why? Because we don`t know her reaction. Also, we don`t know where he is going, why, or what he is going to do. But we want to know.
Example 2 – A character is running.
He fled down the alley, dashed around the corner and slipped into the darkness.
Hopefully, they wouldn`t find him.
OR
He fled down the alley, dashed around the corner and slipped into the darkness.
The second ending is better. Why? Even if we already know who or what is following him, we don`t know how it ends up. We can infer how he feels from the verbs in the sentence:...
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