Attention Quote by Linwood Barclay
“Once I have a hook I think has potential - enough to spin out more than a hundred thousand words, then I start turning my attention to characters. Who are these people? Why did this thing happen to them? But the hook always comes first.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Author Talk, 2015
Prioritize a compelling premise before developing characters, ensuring the story’s core drives the narrative.
In simple terms: Hook first, then characters.
Key Takeaway
Start with a strong idea.
Themes
writing
storytelling
creativity
Mood
analytical
motivational
Type
instructional
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel planning
- screenwriting
- pitching ideas
Key Concepts
narrative structure
character development
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a hook irresistible?
- How do you flesh out characters after the premise?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on hook may neglect character depth.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
