i've been working on an idea for a novel for a while now and i have it fleshed out pretty well now, but i'm still struggling on the hook. i read somewhere that you should immediately draw your readers in, and im not sure how to do that without an action scene, which doesn't fit with the first chapter of the book. any thoughts/suggestions on an intro?
You can hook someone with something intriguing rather than simply action. Is the story taking place in a strange new world? Perhaps there a fantastic magic or technology that readers would be amazed by - but then realize is totally mundane in the world they're reading about. That can interest a reader enough to want to read more.
You can use some type of poem or something significant to the character later on that the reader won't understand at that time. Maybe a childhood memory or someones' last words. Italics makes it look more mysterious if it's a saying or poem.
This might not be helpful or relevant but you could start it by killing someone. (Like how Guardians of the Galaxy starts)
thanks! I'll definitely consider those:)