Brenda Drake Writes is hosting a blogfest contest asking the universal question for young adult writers,
CAN YOU HOOK A TEEN?
We're supposed to submit the first 250 words of our YA novel and have it judged by TEEN EYES, an editorial service made up of, you guessed it, TEENS!
So, since my debut novel, BOUND is due to be released on November 11th, I thought I'd toss it out there and see what you guys think. If you'd like to read the entire first chapter, click on the BOUND tab above.
Title: BOUND
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Kira glanced up at the silver eyehook screwed into the gym ceiling. Threaded through the two-inch hole was the other end of the rope she held in her trembling hands. She gave it a solid yank to test its strength. She could do this. It wasn’t like she was afraid of heights—she’d dance along the edge of a four-story building if it meant not having to climb this stupid rope. It had to be a mental thing, some unreasonable fear of—something—that kept her feet glued to the floor.
Coach Andrews stood a few feet away with her arms folded over her flat chest. “Today, Edwards!” She tapped the toe of one worn out Sketcher on the wooden floor.
“You can totally do this,” Lydia whispered from behind Kira.
Kira tucked a lock of hair behind one ear and glanced over her shoulder to glare at her friend. “Easy for you to say. You can shimmy up this thing like a freakin’ monkey.”
“So can you, if you just try. Now go, before we both have to do laps.” Lydia flipped her long blonde braid behind her back and gave Kira a gentle shove. “Up.”
Kira wiped her sweaty hands on her shorts and gripped the rope with purpose. The entire class watched. Some girls sat on bleachers a few feet away, snickering, while others stood nearby, offering what seemed like genuine support, but was more than likely a desire to see her colossal failure up close.
What do you think? Not a lot of words there to hook a teen, but did it at least make you want to read a teensy bit more?
Absolutely! I think every teenage has been on the end of that rope.
ReplyDeleteYes, you hooked me, but I'm not a teen. Does that count? I loved the voice and I've so been there when I was younger. I hated climbing the rope in PE. <3
ReplyDeleteYou were so good to jump on this! and yay for hookage!
ReplyDeleteSo you hooked me enough to read the first chapter and now I'm DYING to read the book. Wow. Great stuff. I'm just not sure I can wait until November!!!!
ReplyDeleteEeek! Scary. A real live Teen crowd. They're brutal, I hear ( ; Haha!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I wanna read more! Your writing was compelling and polished! Woot, woot!
Aw! You guys are so sweet! I haven't had much feedback on the first chapter and was worried it didn't hook well enough. Your comments put me at ease . . . a little. LOL
ReplyDelete