Manuscript Analysis · Free · Private
About this free opening hook checklist
Agents and readers decide fast. This opening hook checklist scores your first ~250 words against seven fiction opening best practices — avoiding weather and wake-up clichés, naming a character early, opening with tension or dialogue, limiting filter words, skipping lore dumps, and adding concrete sensory detail.
How to use the Opening Hook Checklist
- Paste the opening of your novel (first 250+ words).
- Click Analyze to run the hook checklist.
- Review pass/fail for each criterion with tips.
- Revise weak areas — especially paragraph one.
- Re-test until you score Strong opening.
Frequently asked questions
How many words does the checker analyze?
It focuses on roughly the first 250 words, with extra context up to about 2,000 characters for character detection.
Is a weather opening always wrong?
Not always, but it is a common weak opener. The checklist flags it so you can confirm the scene earns it.
Can AI-written openings pass?
Often not on the first pass — AI loves filter words and mood-setting without conflict. Use this to tighten hook paragraphs.
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