Capturing the reader

Frequently in our writers group, we discuss the hook and many writers bemoan that this in some way inhibits their art. This blog post does a great job of the why and why not of the narrative hook.
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From All the Write Stuff:
A hook is "rarely a single element standing alone. Rather it is something that piques my interest and is supported by other variables like the power of the prose; the charisma of the characters; the wonder of the world; my confidence in the author; etc.Often though, the common theme uniting successful hooks is a sense of urgency."