Writer's Digest Books, 2007, 256 pages
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Les Edgerton at Phoenix College for the Apr. 17, 2010, Microburst mini creative writing conference. The conference was an intersection of his craft book, Hooked, and a structural film analysis of Thelma & Louise.
In Hooked, Edgerton examines the elements necessary for a great opening in modern literature. He stresses that modern audiences no longer want to immerse themselves in fifteen or twenty pages of setting and back story before meeting the characters and their current dilemmas. Edgerton incorporates many literary and film examples to clearly demonstrate how to do things right. Thelma & Louise is one of his favorite examples, and one that many readers have experienced, making it a good common ground for examining a great opening.
At the Microburst conference, participants viewed the entire Thelma & Louise film, while Edgerton frequently paused and explained the structural elements that worked, much as he laid them out in Hooked. Because we watched the entire film, the audience listened to structural analysis even beyond that in Hooked, because Hooked only looks at literary openings.
It was refreshing to see that the author said in person, what he said in the book, in equally understandable language, with useful examples. I felt like I learned a thing or two reading Hooked before the conference, and a live lecture with Edgerton only reinforced my appreciation of his insight and clear instruction.
I would recommend Hooked to any writer looking to update his/her opening strategies. And if you want more Edgerton, he will be teaching two online courses for Phoenix College: CRW 271 in summer and CRW 272 in fall 2010.
Les Edgerton's website is here.
Readers- What's your favorite story opening?
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