It’s May 1st already. Can you believe the year is almost half over? Yikes! Well, let’s not worry about time now. Instead, let’s focus our attention on the talented author,
Jane Kennedy Sutton.
While living in Europe, the Far East and the Middle East, Jane considered herself a “professional tourist.” She is now a resident of Florida. Her first novel,
The Ride, was released in 2008. Her second novel,
Reigning Cats and Dogs, is due to be released later this year.
The Ride received a five-star review from Midwest Book Review. It has been described as a funny but poignant mis-adventure of a desperate housewife who is taken on the ride of her life—in more ways than one.
Jane Kennedy Sutton discusses hook beginnings for children’s books:
As an author of adult novels, I don’t believe there’s anything harder than coming up with the perfect first line that sets the stage for all that’s to come in a story. As a grandmother, I’ve discovered that books for children are no exception to the, “capture the reader with the first line” rule. In fact, I’d say it’s even more important for a young audience.
Through the many books I’ve read to my grandson, I’ve noted that there are several effective methods used by children’s authors to grab the attention of their young audience.
1) Start the book in the middle of the action (this is one of the best ways to begin regardless of the age of the audience)
“Where's Papa going with that ax?” said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.” (Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White)
The night Max wore his wolf suit of one kind and another, his mother called him WILD THING and Max said, ‘I’LL EAT YOU UP!’ so he was sent to bed without eating anything.” (Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak)
2) Clever use of description
Pirates have green teeth—when they have any teeth at all. (How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long)
In the great green room There was a telephone And a red balloon And a picture of The cow jumping over the moon (Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown)
3) Sound Effects
Chug,chug, chug. Puff, puff, puff. Ding-dong, ding-dong. (The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper)
Zum. Zum buzzz, Zum. Zum. Buzz. (Berlioz the Bear by Jan Brett)
4) Ask a question
"Is your mama a llama?" I asked my friend Dave. (Is Your Mama A Llama by Deborah Guarino)
How does a dinosaur say good night when Papa comes in to turn off the light? (How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? By Jane Yolent and Mark Teague)
5) That old favorite, “Once upon a time,” always seems to work
Once upon a time in the dark of the moon there was a little raccoon. (Wait Till the Moon is Full by Margaret Wise Brown)
Once upon a time there was a little boy named Jeremy who lived with his mother in a small house near the sea. (The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer by Jimmy Carter)
Do you know other effective ways to begin a child’s story? What are some of your favorite opening lines?
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I love the first line from
Charlotte’s Web. Talk about hook beginnings—what child wouldn’t want to find out what Papa is doing with that ax.
Jane, thank you so much for sharing this writing tip and these great first liners with us. It has been a delight to feature you.
To find out more about Jane, please visit at:
http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/
http://janesutton.com/
The Ride is available in hardback through your favorite bookstore or online retailer. It is also available on Kindle.
Get your copy of The Ride today:
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There’s more great writing and marketing information coming up, please stop by
Kathy Stemke’s site tomorrow, May 2nd; she is featuring author Marietta Taylor. You can also stop by
VBT Writers on the Move for May’s complete touring schedule.
Until next time,
Karen Cioffi
Author, ghostwriter-for-hire, freelance writer, and reviewer
http://karencioffi.com
http://dkvwriting4u.com
http://nothingventurednothinggained.org
