Hook, Line, and Sinker

I’m not a fisherman (or fisherwoman, lest I offend anyone.) I just never developed an interest in it. The idea of sitting out in the blazing heat, rainy weather, or bone-chilling cold never held much appeal. And the concept of the perfect cast? Well, “artistry in motion” certainly didn’t describe ME. And a rod and reel? Aren’t they all the same?

It’s a little odd living in an area known for its gorgeous lakes and great fishing and not having the faintest idea of how to catch the slippery things much less what to use to get the job done. Now eating ’em–I can do that! (Smoked, grilled, fried. Doesn’t matter–As long as fish doesn’t taste “fishy” and, oh, if it’s fried I prefer it to be in E-V-O-O or something equally as healthy.) And what better to accompany fish than fried potatoes and cornbread and maybe some fresh garden green beans?

So you see, even though I don’t fish, I still derive satisfaction from it in a round about way!

And writing is kind of like fishing. Writers bait (prime) the reader, offer the hook (“eye candy”– enticement), and drop the sinker (containing tasty morsels.)  All of these elements invite the reader to sample the meal, swallow a bite, and continue on with the banquet. Writers want their readers to enjoy the full meal, and hopefully, return for more. (Well, I suppose if you’re the actual fish that’s on the receiving end you might not…but it’s an analogy, okay?)

Since I write (faith-based) romance there’s a specific format that’s usually not deviated from:  boy gets girl, boy loses girl, and boy gets girl (again.) There are many writerly terms (in between each of those various points) of succinct things that must happen as the characters’ story unfolds. For writers, that’s where the fun begins. We enjoy creating conflict and fixing it, only to create it again and again until the final climax of the book with a satisfying resolution by the end.

Fisherman may not enjoy reading romance novels, but they can certainly understand the hook, line, and sinker concept. And who knows? Maybe they’re multi-taskers like we writers are. Mastering the art of holding a fishing rod, a romance novel, AND an ice-cold–er–soda pop would certainly be a feat worth watching!♥