Editor Tex Thompson on how to hook readers from page one
For fiction authors, opening scene writing tips are as relevant today as ever. A novel’s first page can be one of its most powerful sales tools — or its biggest liability. Get it right, and readers are instantly pulled in. Miss the mark, and they move on before the story ever gets a chance.
That was the focus topic of a First Draft Friday live stream with host Alessandra Torre and editor Tex Thompson. The session covers practical strategies for crafting opening scenes that hook readers instantly. You can watch the full conversation on YouTube.
â–¶ Watch the full session: First Draft Friday #15 with Tex Thompson
The craft principles covered here are evergreen and foundational — no matter how publishing shifts, a reader’s decision to keep turning pages comes down to page one.
Writing tips for a stronger opening scene
Alessandra and Tex cover several concrete strategies for sharpening up a novel’s opening pages:
#1 – Opening scene writing tip: catch the reader off guard with an unexpected emotion
Unexpected emotion can be a remarkably effective hook. The example discussed in the session: a grieving widow at a funeral who steps away for privacy — and breaks into a smile. That kind of emotional surprise activates a reader’s curiosity immediately. The session includes examples of how to use this technique intentionally and effectively.
#2 – Be light with exposition
It can be tempting to front-load a story with context — world-building, backstory, character history. But heavy exposition at the start tends to slow momentum and lose readers before they’re invested. Tex explains why to keep the opening light and how to weave context in naturally later.
#3 – Don’t rush past the build-up
Many writers, afraid of boring their readers, open with a dramatic scene — an explosion, a body, a moment of crisis. But dramatic moments often fall flat when the reader has no emotional investment yet. Without context or connection to the characters, high-stakes action can feel hollow. The session walks through how to strike a balance between creating immediate intrigue and giving action the weight it deserves.
#4 – Set expectations with your reader
The opening scene is an opportunity to signal to readers what the rest of the book will feel like. If the story shifts POVs or timelines, establish that pattern early so readers know what to expect. The session includes examples of how to use structure itself as a storytelling tool.
Bonus: viewer questions
Alessandra and Tex also answer viewer questions, offering fresh perspectives on opening scenes.It’s well worth watching through to the end.
More First Draft Friday sessions
The full archive of past sessions of First Draft Friday is available on the Authors A.I. YouTube channel. The library covers a wide range of craft topics for fiction writers.
About Tex Thompson
Arianne “Tex” Thompson is a licensed locksmith, developmental editor, and professional speaker based in Dallas, Texas. She describes her editorial work as being a “literary locksmith” — helping writers identify and solve the structural and narrative problems that keep their stories from working at their fullest potential.
Tex is the author of the Children of the Drought fantasy Western series, published internationally by Solaris. She founded WORD in Dallas, instructs for Writing Workshops Dallas, and has presented at conferences worldwide.
Learn more about Tex and her editorial services at thetexfiles.com.
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Fantastic discussion…………..
Thanks Phyllis!