We all have times when we want a story to grab us right from the start. We want that hook to catch and lure us even further into the plot. Sometimes the hook begins with a word, a sentence, a paragraph, or a predicament. The writer sustains the momentum by answering some questions and raising others. Our presenters craft suspense with the intimation of a prank gone wrong; the mention of secrets buried and a madness in the air; or with a dated entry—something about darkness and captivity. And suddenly, the reader is invested. The hook is sunk.

Presenters: Alafair Burke, Kira Jane Buxton, Shelby Van Pelt

Moderator: Erinn Hartman