First Paragraph Hook

I thought I’d share the first couple of paragraphs of my WIP with you. I’ve realized I have an unhealthy fear of letting others read my work, so I thought putting a bit out there for the world to see would do some good in getting me over it. Fear Factor done Sherrinda’s way.

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England, around the late 1100’s.

She blew her unruly hair out of her eyes and paused to still her racing heart. Undoubtedly she had not practiced enough in the privacy of her room to have easy success. She surely did not count on the shaking of her fingers or the time wasted looking over her shoulder. Taking a deep breath, she slowly pried the tip of her knife into the lock, listening for the quiet catch of the spring.

“Jocelyn! Make haste!” Sister Mary stood several paces away, standing guard.

While most of the sisters in the convent were sound asleep in their rooms, there were known to be a few who felt the call for an extra prayer or two during the quiet of a dark night. Jocelyn had diligently planned for this night and knew she had but a few more moments before the watchman made his way to the gate she was feverishly trying to escape from.

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I was going for a “hook” in the beginning of my book. My heroine escapes disguised as a boy and must overcome many obstacles in her quest to find her family, her home, and hopefully a place where she feels she finally belongs. I’ve had so much fun with her!

So how many of you have started your work with a hook? Do you ever share your work before it is finished? Are you ever afaid?