09/16/2024
I really enjoyed this book...
..for a couple of reasons.
The author, J. Warner Wallace used open loops like a pro to keep me fully engaged. Wallace posed some big questions early on, like whether we can rediscover Jesus using only historical evidence, without relying on the bible.
Wallace was a cold case homicide detective for many years and he used one particular missing persons cold case to create suspense through the entire book.
He leads you on a journey where each piece of information builds on the last, but you’re left waiting for that final, satisfying conclusion to both the cold case and question about Jesus. By bouncing between the two, he keeps both stories alive, leaving you wondering how they’ll connect and resolve.
He drops hints and pieces of evidence but leaves parts of the mystery unresolved, which keeps you hooked. You find yourself turning the pages, eager to see how all the puzzle pieces will fit together.
This is a great example of how to use open loops in your writing.
In Publish. Promote. Profit., I talk about the importance of using open loops to drive your narrative forward. If you’re telling a personal story about overcoming a business failure or giving a client case study, don’t give away the happy ending or results right away.
First, walk your reader through the tension, the struggle, the challenges you faced. Then, leave them wondering how you managed to turn it around. You can shift gears and provide valuable content or lessons in the middle of the loop, but that unresolved tension will keep them engaged.
Finally, when you close the loop strongly. That resolution is what makes your story impactful and leaves your readers feeling like it was worth the wait. The key is to balance suspense with substance—keep them hooked with the open loop, but make sure you deliver something meaningful at the end.
Wallace delivers on the goods, you should check it out.
