Writing Tool: Keep it HIP

Ring the Bell Once More.

I’ve got more magic from the treasure trove of writing advice by James Scott Bell. First, I told you about his LOCK system. Now, time to get HIP.

HIP stands for Hook, Intensity, Payoff. It’s a method to writing a compelling scene. The Hook draws the reader in. Raising the Intensity keeps the reader going. Finishing with a Payoff satisfies the reader.

Time to practice with some examples.

The Monsters We Became

Hook: Human hunter lands on a desolate, icy island looking for Dracula
Intensity: He is hunted by new monsters in the form of anti-heroes
Payoff: Dracula appears, prompting a battle and potential alliance

The Burden of Favor

Hook: Human mortal steals magic sword and feather from his protectorate gods
Intensity: Escapes sky vault and dives to ground to fight battle against evolutionary monsters from a world ruled by other gods
Payoff: Gods gamble on humanity’s freedom

The Last Clearsoul

Hook: Human-like robots intensely patrol border
Intensity: Guards increasingly picked off by unseen attackers
Payoff: Invasion of an evil robot god’s minions is at hand!

Period

Hook: Portal begins opening, heralding a destructive interdimensional being
Intensity: People monitoring portal become increasingly worried as the destroyer becomes clearer
Payoff: Hero appears with the snap of his fingers to snipe the destroyer and set up the deeper storyline

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