What grabs the reader? Getting Hooked presents opening sentences from 1950s-1990s in genre: mystery, science fiction, romance, western, and mainstream. one review sites, "Getting Hooked is one of those rare nonfiction books that works on the dual level as informative and fun. Editor Sharon Rendell-Smock has compiled a memorable selection of fiction's greatest opening lines interlaced with trivia quizzes, tidbits from each decade and games sure to test the mettle of even the most voracious reader."
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
In 1995, she earned a national nonfiction writing award for her book, Living with Big Cats: The Story of Jungle Larry, Safari Jane, and David Tetzlaff.
Her latest book, Getting Hooked: Fiction's Opening Sentences 1950s-1990s, answers the question "What grabs the reader?" This book presents novels' first sentences by decade, 1950s through 1990s, and by genre--mystery, science fiction, western, romance, as well as mainstream.
Besides selling her books and maintaining her web site, Rendell-Smock's recent projects include writing for firms; editing for other authors; and writing a mweekly article for The Sideroad e-zine, and writing a monthly article for The Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Perfect,
This review is from: Getting Hooked: Fiction's Opening Sentences 1950S-1990s (Paperback)
GETTING HOOKED is everything that I expected it to be - almost. I award it 5 stars, so my reservations are not serious ones; nonetheless, my review does consist solely of gripes, hoping that Sharon Rendell-Smock will be inspired to improve this otherwise excellent volume in subsequent editions.First, by her own admission, she chose entries from "both obscure and popular authors, from best-sellers, genre recommended reading, and Hugo, Nebula, Edgar, and Pulitzer winners." And: "A few famous novels open with mediocre sentences." Great, so she chose sometimes obscure books with great opening sentences over popular books with mediocre opening sentences, but couldn't she have included both and let the reader compare? Further, I would have liked it if she had identified the best-sellers and the award winners. Wow. Two minor complaints, and the book still rates 5 stars. My advice, especially to the aspiring author who wishes to see how the professionals hook their readers, is to buy this book immediately, read it cover to cover, and then get back to writing!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just right,
By phase65 "ajo" (USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Getting Hooked: Fiction's Opening Sentences 1950S-1990s (Paperback)
Loved it. Challenged my memory.I was especially pleased when I read a line that I recognized. I thought I might be the only one to have read and remembered Pohl Anderson's Brain Wave. Not so. I found it quite informative. I enjoyed the sections on pseudonyms and pen names too. I knew a few and guessed a few but most were a surprise. Grand mental entertainment.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just added to seniors curriculum in 4 major school districts,
By A Customer
This review is from: Getting Hooked: Fiction's Opening Sentences 1950S-1990s (Paperback)
Ms Smock has captured the very essence of the skills demonstrated by leading authors in every field of fiction. To writers, academes and students this work illustrates the skills of trained writers who craft the wealth of the English language and its succinct phraseology into simple introductory sentences; sentences which can capture the imagination and interest of the reader. Skills which artfully convince him to irresistably devour the next several hundred pages of their books. A masterpiece of dialogue, and an excellent teaching tool. The School Boards that chose to include this work in their curriculum are, indeed, to be applauded. Well done, Sharon Rendell-Smock, on this, your second skillfully crafted creation. We look forward to more works of similar genre.
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