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How to interest a man: the right ways. Female intrigues that keep male interest

MENSBY

4.4

Do you dream of becoming a famous writer or the author of sensational articles? How to grab the reader's attention headlong and make him forget about the time? Intrigue is necessary in any genre.

Suspense is a state of obscurity, when the reader does not even notice how he turns page after page. It can be translated as "intrigue".

Elizabeth Sims is a bestselling novelist and an authority on writing. She is the author of seven popular novels in two series (Rita Farmer's Mysteries and Lillian Bird's Detective Series) and an excellent book for writers, You've Got a Book: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing Your Dream Book.

“Sometimes I talk to schoolchildren about how books are written. I start by asking how many pages it takes to write a novel. They express their guesses - and suddenly they become unusually interested in what is the correct answer. No matter what their guess is, children are always shocked and horrified when I show them a foot-high stack of handwritten yellow pages — the first rough draft of one of my novels. Schoolchildren have just experienced "suspense" and got to know the denouement in its simplest form.

When I ask what it takes to write a story with intrigue, invariably one of the children shouts: "Include the villain in it!"

Good advice, albeit an obvious one. In fact, stories in any genre need intrigue: readers have to stay with you until the end, and intrigue is the main element that will make them turn the pages. What's more, as you work your way through this wobbly stack of sheets to the end of a rough draft, a quick injection of intrigue is a great way to add fuel to your story. Suddenly, you yourself will want to keep writing to find the answer.

Here is a list of ways to achieve this effect, along with some great advice to include a villain in your plot.

1. Point with your finger.

Mary Renault's historical novel The Persian Boy begins with a disaster: the death and destruction of the protagonist's family and home. Before dying, his father utters the name of the traitorous enemy. Well, guess who the Persian boy will meet later ... much later?
This powerful script will work to create and maintain intrigue in any genre. Any disaster will do - financial ruin, heartbreak, missed opportunity.

2. Give a false alarm.

The parable about the boy who shouted "Wolves" not only carries a moralizing charge, it also has a plot that keeps you in suspense. Once you find out about the shepherdess's plan to attract attention by screaming that a wolf has attacked the sheep, you already know that sooner or later a real wolf will appear. You also know that the townspeople will not like being made fools of. Nobody likes it - which is why this technique works, whether in a sleepy town, in a Wall Street office, or in an emergency room.

3. Set up a cellar or secret dungeon.

Medieval lords sometimes built a simple pit under the floor of the castle and threw a prisoner into it, whom they would prefer to forget. No screams came from under the heavy cover, and, in any case, the screams did not last long.
In the story of Edgar Allan Poe "The Keg of Amontillado", the intrigue is built on a blood grievance, and the hero lures his enemy into a trap, inviting him to proceed to the wine cellar, where he immures him in a nook. Intrigue is created by guessing what Montresor is up to as he lures Fortunato deeper and deeper into the catacombs.

4. Sow the danger and wait.

At the next stage of the development of the idea with a dungeon, in the book by Charles Portis "Iron Grip" the criminal Tom Cheney mentions a snake pit into which he threatens to push the heroine Matty Ross. Then a lot of things happen, and in the end Matty shot Cheney, but the recoil of the Colt's shot makes her recoil. My heart skips a beat when falling Matty realizes: “I completely forgot about the hole behind!”. The grace is that the reader has already known about the pit for a long time.
Show the danger, then let the time (and many events) pass between the first mention of the danger and the actual moment when the hero falls into this trap.

5. Make friends with panic.

While the hero's panic may seem like an easy way to create intrigue (the victim stumbles and falls, the persecutor catches up), people do sometimes legally panic and can be exploited.
A sure way is to create a character with flaws, especially one who draws the wrong conclusions from the beginning. In this case, actions under the influence of panic will not only be plausible, but also expected. Expectation and anticipation itself can be intriguing, and then, when everything happens, the reader gets a "reward" and wants more.

6. Water the plant.

Growth can be incredibly intriguing. Think about it: you are planting a seed and watering it. Will it be a wheat germ or a poisonous vine? Horror novels, from Rosemary's Baby to Bad Seed, Carrie, and so on, use this simple technique.
Watching a hero develop over time can be intriguing, especially if the hero is a child with a well-defined heredity: the son of a serial killer, conceived during a visit in prison, the daughter of a morally impeccable politician. Who will this little guy turn into - a drug addict prostitute or a Nobel laureate?

7. Withhold the truth.

Withholding information from the reader can be a cheap trick, but there is also a right way - to be honest.
In Valley of Terror, Arthur Conan Doyle hides Birdie Edwards' secret from readers and other characters, but everyone has the same information. Both the characters and the readers have equal chances to explain the evidence, so when you get to the finale, you either already assumed it yourself - and then your suspicions are justified - or this is a stunning discovery, but you can immediately exclaim: “Yes, of course! You should have guessed! "
Withhold the main point, but give out the information in small chunks, teasing the reader.

8. Send someone into exile.

This secret came from antiquity, for example, in the Bible, the Lord expels Satan from Heaven. In modern books, a difficult teenager is sent to a boarding house, and a narcissistic psychopath is banished from the island.
Why is banishment such a cool way? We know the character hasn't gone anywhere. The villain ponders his punishment, sharpens an ax and ponders plans for revenge.
If you have an omniscient storyteller or are presented with the points of view of different narrators, you can shuttle back and forth from exile to a peaceful, quiet tribe, heating up the tension with the contrast between these thoughts and actions.

9. Get inspired by the headlines in the press.

Daily news is a terrific source of ideas for intrigue. To a recent writing conference, I brought my morning paper with me (yes, they still come out in this city) to show how easy it is to come up with an idea for a story.
In the process of work, I realized that, in fact, an idea for intrigue can be unearthed literally in every section. "Will local greenhouse skaters be able to get to the Olympic Games?" What if one of them is having an affair with a coach? Here's an announcement: camera lost, please return for a fee. What kind of images does the memory card store? Snapshots of a happy family picnic? Perhaps. Or maybe not.

10. Untwist one end.

One of my Hollywood friends recently told me about a simple and often used film trick for creating a "suspense" atmosphere when filming in the interior: you need to leave the cupboard door open. This visual clue suggests that not everything is in order here, everything is not calm, you need to take a closer look.
On the pages of a book, tension in any scene can be created with the help of small oddities that get out of the ordinary. Imagine the swinging strings by the kitchen apron, the flowing candle, the open bar of the window, the copier with jammed paper.

11. Fool your readers.

The guard leaves without permission to illegally smoke a cigarette, and we guess that the maniac killer will now run away. It could be that, but wouldn't it be better if the guard returned in a few minutes and found everything was in order? The second time, perhaps, the guard will hear suspicious sounds, scream "Oh my God" and run back - and the prisoner is calmly resting in the cell.
Compare the example with shouting "wolves" and observe the rule of three times. For the third time, let it happen! It will be even better, since readers will be ready to cheat, to increase the rates: the guard returns, and the prisoner not only escaped, but also filled the cell with the bloody bodies of the second guard and all his family members.

12. Hide someone.

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, a curious but generally good guy, Polonius, hides behind a curtain to eavesdrop. When he makes a sound, Hamlet pierces the curtain, confident that he is killing his enemy Claudius. This terrible mistake is one of the most tense moments in literature.
The still popular children's book "Harriet the Spy" in which young Harriet learns how useful it is sometimes just to hide, because you can watch and listen, and no one will notice you. You just have to wait. In this situation, an intrigue is naturally created: what if you sneeze? What if a dog comes up, smelling a candy in your pocket?
"Hide and seek" can be understood figuratively, like any other technique described in the article. For example, a hero can hide under a false name or under the cover of war.

13. Turn on the decoy duck.

It's no secret why so many detective stories and thrillers include informants. A change in conviction or (much more often) a fear of prison makes many criminals “knock”. It's even more interesting when they go out into the street with a listening and recording device to collect evidence to prove their guilt.
A friend of mine who is familiar with the work of law enforcement says that today's eavesdropping devices are almost impossible to detect. Still, a wonderful tension is created when the informant tries to achieve frankness, worry and cunning.

14. Disguise.

I like to use disguise and impersonation in my novels, because the tension starts to build up when you show a character prepares to cheat, and it can be fun to describe incompetence and inappropriate behavior, such as when a private investigator pretends to be a homeless drunkard or The reporter tries to impersonate a disguised nun.
We expect the professionals to do a good job of avoiding exposure. But when a hobbyist gets into a dangerous situation, readers will be thrilled to begin with.

15. Reinforce the unknown.

Uncertainty is a centuries-old component of intrigue, commonly used in horror, science fiction, and paranormal fiction. For example, Stephen King has built a colossal career using the unknown (usually in a paranormal sense), for example, in the thrilling novel The Shining.
But I think one of the greatest uses of the unknown to create intrigue is Charlotte Brontë's gothic novel Jane Eyre. Finally, Jane manages to get out of the miserable Lowood School and start working as a governess in a house under the supervision of an extremely sexy owner. But something very strange is happening in the attic! And the intrigue is built on this until the very end.

16. Connect symbols.

I like it when there are 1-2 symbols in the story, and even better - when there is intrigue in the symbol itself. Turn to nature: its laws are inexorable, they are instinctively understandable to any person. A beautiful lake can symbolize the waters of life or something more unpleasant, for example, if your story is set in the fall, the morning frost begins to freeze the waters and gradually turn them into something cold, hard and dangerous.

17. Turn the hourglass over - and then turn it over again.

In the thriller A Season in Purgatory, Dominic Dunn skillfully works with time to create the most intense intrigue. From the very beginning, we know that a murder took place many years ago, and we know that the killer will be found, as the narrator tells about a criminal trial. But then we are transported into the past to the beginning of events, when everyone is young, beautiful and (especially the victim) alive.
How was the crime committed, how did you manage to hide it, how did the investigation go? We won't rest until we get back to the roundabout.

18. Play for high debt.

Every good gangster knows that first you need to help people, and only then ask for a return service. Because when people are in your debt, it will be easier for you to convince them to do something for yourself.
This technique works in any situation - a political boss and voters (or subordinates), a hideous rivalry between siblings, a group of friends at a party at a spa resort.
I kept your secret, and now you keep mine. Capisce *?

*Do you understand? - Italian.)

19. Isolate the heroes.

Isolation of an individual hero or a group of heroes turns the most ordinary circumstances into stressful ones. Think of all the murders behind closed doors in the writings of Agatha Christie, of adventures aboard a sea ship, for example, in the books "The Sea Wolf" by Jack London or "Life of Pi" by Ian Martel.
Intrigue in isolation works great for plays: by default, all the characters are gathered on one stage, and we know that the rats in the cage will fight sooner or later.
How else can you create isolation - by the way, it can be temporary? How about a stuck elevator, a sudden thunderstorm, punctured tires?

20. Put spokes in the wheels.

If you honestly use the opportunity just to get out of a predicament, readers will complain. In public. In their reviews on Amazon. Goodreads.
However, coincidences do happen. And a sudden disaster always heats up the intrigue. The main thing is to make it believable.
Of course, it is plausible if a young and "green" driver of a car designed to escape from a crime scene in a panic hits the hotel ... run away. It is quite plausible that the head of a gang of gangsters will decide to put off a contract murder by a day if his daughter began to give birth to his first grandson, despite the fact that the preparation has not yet been completed.

21. Tune in to this.

I usually take notes, ponder, and outline an article for Writer's Digest during the day I spend at the big city library. While working on this article and completely immersed in the theory of intrigue, I took a short lunch at a nearby bistro. My glass of wine attracted a fruit midge - there she drowned.
Having caught a microscopic corpse, I furtively looked around and thought: "Lord God, how can I get rid of the body?" I swear to you, at some point I really felt that I had something to hide.
It is in this frame of mind that you, as an author, should create, living what you write, breathing your creation. If you do this, you have every chance that readers will stick to your books, holding their breath until the very end.

Every day, next to us, millions of intrigues are conceived and implemented. They bring sharpness, novelty to our life and often contribute to progress. Perhaps it would be rather boring to live if there were no intrigues at all.

Intrigue is a kind of hook that a person swallows and follows the lead of the one who abandoned this fishing rod. Each of us can fall into the trap of intrigue, and everyone can set it

Elena LAZAREVA

Intrigue at work
One person sits in the office and honestly works, while the other, meanwhile, weaves intrigues. Who do you think is more likely to get a promotion? Often, it is the schemers who succeed in a brilliant career.
Therefore, there are two ways: either to learn to intrigue yourself, or to take all security measures so as not to become a pawn in someone else's game.
Most of us have faced conflicts in the service. I think a lot of people want a welcoming work environment. After all, we spend in a team, as a rule, 8 hours a day!
Unfortunately, there are many people around us who cannot work calmly. They try to kindle a conflict, provoke a quarrel, push someone with their heads. Perhaps all this is due to the excess of free time in potentially conflicting personalities. Of course, I would like to learn to live in harmony with everyone, to accept any shortcomings of others and to forgive them everything they have done. However, we do not always manage to develop such skills in ourselves.
Real intriguers are unpredictable, which allows them to easily turn their affairs around. Therefore, it is important to learn their basic tricks so as not to get entangled in the networks they have cleverly placed.

How to recognize an intriguer?
Sometimes the intriguer provokes you into intimate conversations, eliciting your secrets, recognizing weaknesses, so that later all this can be used for his own purposes. So to speak, it is rubbed into your trust. Therefore, it is very important what and in what tone you speak about your colleagues and your boss. Even if you are talking to a friend, it is best to refrain from criticizing anyone else. Because if the information suddenly surfaced, the relationship could deteriorate.
Try not to talk badly about other people and your boss. On the contrary, if you work in the field of IT (for example) then try to advise, for example, cheap website hosting. Try not to be frank about your mistakes and weaknesses. After all, it is not for nothing that they say: "The less they know about me, the more chances for maneuver."
Isn't it better to find some positive qualities even in a colleague who you don't like, and sincerely admire them, rather than discuss and condemn? By acting in this way, you will gain the glory of a wise man even among enemies, which will help you enlist their support. Maybe this is also an intrigue?
As a result of psychological research, it turned out that people who take everything too close to their hearts most often fall into the trap of intriguers. Therefore, it is important to learn how to keep your distance in communication with colleagues: this will avoid many troubles.
Sometimes schemers use weapons such as unsettling negative information and non-constructive criticism. Most often this is done behind the eyes: this is how your authority in the eyes of your colleagues is undermined. The intriguer sets the goal of harming his victim, discouraging others in her competence, and thus reducing the influence of this person in the organization.
If you hear such rumors, ask for a factual explanation. Trust me: this will cool your opponent's ardor! And you can also protect yourself by being as friendly as possible with the person who "gets you": chirp complacently with him at every opportunity. This behavior of yours will not give the enemy the opportunity to openly declare war on you.
Of course, the ideal way to protect yourself from schemers is to avoid obvious gaps in your work. This is a challenging task, but doable. If, nevertheless, you have something to hook on, you should not look for another job with your head held high. First, try to fight back the enemy.
Try to adhere to the motto at work: "Minimum information and maximum benevolence." And if someone is very annoying or angry, look for the reason in yourself: our environment is our reflection ...

Scheming leader
The use of intrigue is a fairly common technique for improving work efficiency. For example, a manager spreads a rumor that the company is planning to expand, new branches will be opened, and so on. Employees react to this information by increasing their level of knowledge, looking for new ways to develop the enterprise, etc. It turns out that in this case, intrigue acts as an engine of progress. But there is also a downside to the coin: tough competition begins with all the accompanying dirty games and "bases".
Sometimes the leaders weave intrigues to embroil the collective. Why is this done? For example, so that a close-knit team does not steal important information that may be useful to competitors. It is much easier to manipulate people when they are not very friendly. However, this state of affairs may not have the best effect on the work in general.
It often happens that after an employee is fired, his former boss starts spreading terrible rumors. It gets to the point that he calls competitors with a hint that "this guy" is better not to be hired. As a result, two main goals can be achieved. This is revenge on the resigned employee and instilling fear in the rest of the employees: "This will be the case with everyone."

Or maybe intrigue is good?
Let's try to find positive qualities in intrigue. I think you will agree with me that intrigue encourages us to take action and helps to understand ourselves. For example, you are "hooked" by an intriguer, and this is already a reason to properly understand yourself. Because if you were a confident person, it would be difficult to provoke you, to be hooked. In other words, intriguers give us a chance to understand what needs to be worked on in terms of self-improvement. So we should be grateful to these people?

Substitution:
I GIVE A REFERENCE:
Intrigue (from Lat. Intrico - "I confuse") - intrigues, intrigues, achievement of goals by unseemly means. An attempt to use a critical situation to your advantage.

G They say that a woman should not take the initiative. This is partly true, because every man is a hunter by nature. But on the other hand, this does not mean at all that you need to humbly sit and wait for attention to be paid to you. A wise woman always knows how to interest a man. Today these secrets will be revealed to you as well.

How to get attention?

Contrary to popular belief, it is the woman who chooses the man. However, she does this unobtrusively and imperceptibly. By giving non-verbal signals, she thereby attracts attention, makes herself stand out from the crowd.

Very rarely, the stronger sex itself takes the initiative. It is important for a man to understand that he will not be denied acquaintance or communication. Yes, embarrassment and shyness are not unique to women.

So, what you need to do in order for a man to pay attention to you:

1) Make eye contact. Look at the desired object by holding your gaze for 2-7 seconds. As soon as he notices you, smile. Then turn away and repeat the trick again (after about 10 minutes). It is very important that the eyes express warmth and benevolence at the same time. A cold, contemptuous look will only alienate a man.

2) Smile, or better yet, laugh. Cheerful people always attract attention. It's much easier to get to know them, it's easy to start a conversation. And vice versa, somehow I don’t want to communicate with a dull, withdrawn person. An important point - the smile should not be feigned or forced as in American films. Joke, laugh heartily, this is one of the main weapons of a woman in the art of seduction.

3) There are other ways to get a man's attention. For example, you can, as if by chance, drop your scarf, handkerchief or other unbreakable object in front of him. Surely he will help to pick up the fallen thing. Thank him noting how considerate and gallant he is. You can also ask for help, such as opening a bottle of water. Just ask the time or find out how to get to a famous cafe or theater.

Advice. If the man does not show his interest in any way, do not be discouraged. Perhaps he is very busy right now or is simply immersed in his thoughts. However, just in case, try to find out if he is married. If his heart is already occupied, any attempts to get closer will be in vain.

The art of seduction

So, your chosen one has already noticed you, but is still in no hurry to take the initiative. It happens. Sometimes a man doubts whether he needs to make a new acquaintance at all.

If you want to finally conquer him, it is important not to sit idly by. You can interest him even more with your appearance, conversation, various "feminine things".

Everything in order.

Appearance

Many women, having become interested in a man, rush from one extreme to another. Either she is too fat or thin, and the whole body needs to be carefully hidden, then her figure is the height of perfection, which, of course, needs to be exposed to the maximum. No, no, no, you can't do that. In the first case, the man, most likely, will not pay attention to you at all, and in the second he will mistake you for a vulgar, accessible woman. You need to keep the golden mean:

Dress femininely, avoid masculine items in your wardrobe.

Emphasize only one of your advantages - gorgeous breasts, long legs, elastic hips.

Opt for lightweight, flowing fabrics in light or vibrant colors.

Choose shoes with small, comfortable heels.

Wear light makeup, leave your hair loose, or gather it not too tightly.

Go in for sports. Absolutely everyone likes a toned body.

Advice. Forget about your complexes. A man would rather feel your insecurity than notice any flaws. In addition, a well-groomed woman is always beautiful, so everything is in your hands. Pick the right clothes, experiment with makeup and hairstyles, and half the battle is in your pocket.

Talk

You need to be able to talk with a man. Chatting with the opposite sex and communicating with women are completely different things, at least at first.

To interest your chosen one, it is important to pay special attention to intonations, the timbre of the voice, and of course, to choose the right topic for conversation.

Just stick to the following rules:

- speak slowly and clearly;

- do not go to screeching or screaming;

- only touch on positive topics;

- do not complain, do not gossip or tell tearful stories;

- communicate on the topic of art, share experiences, ideas, feelings;

- joke;

- ask a lot of questions;

- listen carefully;

- periodically demonstrate your interest ("are you serious?" "Is it really true?", "Wow, I didn't know!");

- read more - it is easier for well-read people to maintain a conversation;

- try not to use slang in communication with a man.

Language of the body

Man is a rational being, this is indisputable. However, animal habits and instincts are not alien to him. As in the animal kingdom, among humans there are special positions of dominance or submission.

A woman who wants to interest a man must show defenselessness with her body.

How to do it:

1) Show off your neck. You can tilt your head to your shoulder or throw it up. And if you keep eye contact at the same time, then it will be perceived at an unconscious level as a call.

2) Play with your feet. Wiggle your foot or shoe slightly. If the dress is short enough, bring your legs together and sit with the man on a half-side, showing their full length. Another technique is to throw one leg over the other. In this case, it is important that the skirt or dress is not too short, otherwise the man will consider you frivolous.

3) When talking with a man, lean your body slightly forward. Thus, you will demonstrate your most vulnerable places - chest and neck.

4) Parse your lips. You can occasionally bite or lick them. Too tense, a closed mouth speaks of nervousness, impatience and even aggression. Open lips indicate a willingness to dialogue.

5) Touch yourself with your hands. As if by chance, touch your lips, neck, shoulders. Movements should be smooth and light. You do not need to iron yourself, this will already look defiant. You can put your hands behind your head or stretch. This will make your figure look even more advantageous.

6) Fix your hair. Playing with hair is the oldest secret of seduction. It is especially good if they are well-groomed and long. You can throw the curls to one side, correct them by throwing your head back, or simply dissolve them at a certain moment.

Advice from the author. To interest a man, it is enough just to be yourself. It is important to be able to show your individuality and uniqueness. If you are a great hostess, then you should not pretend to be a business woman or socialite. Perhaps most people like them, but sooner or later the mask will have to be removed. It is better to be open and direct, then men will be attracted to the right ones. And the wrong ones ... why do you need them?

So how can you get a man interested? First of all, you need to not be afraid to show interest. This does not mean that you need to rush to the chosen one on the neck with the words "I am all yours." Just a warm look, an alluring smile, an interesting conversation. And then it's up to him.

To truly intrigue a guy, you need to make him think you are charming and make him want to continue. You cannot tell him everything at once, or make him recognize you in the first five minutes, or do not want to get to know you better at all - or think about you while you are somewhere far away. So how do you create the perfect combination of mystery and excitement that can intrigue a guy? Start at Step 1.

Steps

Part 1

Intriguing behavior

    Show a little interest. If a guy doesn't have something to work on, you won't get anything in return. You will not intrigue him if you treat him indifferently, and he will feel that he is not at all interesting to you. So smile at him, wave, and start a light conversation with him. Flirt a little so that he thinks you might like him, but don't let him know that you want him. Just give him enough to make him think of you and want to meet again.

    Show him that you are having a great time. If you want to intrigue a guy, then you need to make him want to be with you. If you're in his field of vision, make sure you are having a great time with your friends, laughing, chatting, or even dancing. If you are in public, let her think, “What an interesting, funny girl. It would be nice to get to know her better.” If he constantly sees that you are moping or look bored or sad, does he want to do business with you? Sure, you have to pretend you're having fun just to get his attention, but be the girl who's having a great time.

    • He should be glad to be in your path - not that you're looking for a guy to make you happy.

  1. Don't be always there. If you get to know a guy a little and he wants to spend time together, you should be happy about it, but not act like your schedule is always free. Make him wonder. Maybe you have a whole list of other interesting dates. Maybe you have some fun weekend plans with your girlfriends. Maybe you enjoy spending your Friday nights alone translating Latvian poetry into English. He doesn't have to know what you are doing, but the fact that you are not always free means that he should value the time with you and that you are a dynamic person with many activities.

    Don't give up on fallbacks. If you start dating or just hang out with him a lot, you shouldn't immediately show him how much you like him. He needs to feel special to want to date you, but don't tell him that he's the only guy in your life and you want to be his girlfriend ASAP. He needs to understand that he should offer you to date (if you want to), and not that he is the only one. This does not mean that you have to cheat - you just have to be open to any options.

    Don't push too hard. Playing hard to get can help you intrigue a guy. Even if you think he's the one, you shouldn't rush at him, tell him how sexy he is, or compliment him all the time. Most guys like to give their best; if you want him to think you deserve it, show him that the hunt never ends. Plus, many happy married couples say the key to their love is that the hunt never stops; if you want to intrigue a guy, you don't have to spread everything at once in the first five minutes.

    Don't tell him everything about yourself. If you want to intrigue a guy, then you can't let him think that he knows everything about you after the first conversation. Show him your creative side by talking to him about your poems and then show him your knowledge of the sport by giving your opinion on who will win the FIFA World Cup next time you meet. Don't tell him your biography; let him know that you spent six months in India or were born in Alaska, over time, and not because you shared all the details of your life with him.

    Leave him to languish in anticipation. If you want to intrigue a guy, then you should leave as soon as everything is working out. Don't let a great conversation turn into a discussion of your grandmother's skin fungus; when you feel that everything is going well, tell him that it was nice to talk to and that you need to leave. Don't do it harshly if it doesn't make sense in context or might sound rude; but if you're in the hallway, for example, don't talk to him until the bell rings and you're late for class. Change a couple of phrases so that he wants to continue the conversation, and wave goodbye to him.

    Part 2

    Intriguing qualities

    1. Be independent. Men are intrigued by women who know what they want and go about their business. If a guy thinks that you are the kind of girl who will cling to him and want to do everything together, he may be overwhelmed with emotions and he will be scared. Instead, show him that you have interests, friends, and goals of your own, and that you want to do your favorite things with or without him.

      Be playful. Don't be too serious from the start. Remember, if a guy likes you, chances are that he has already envisioned a date with you, so you need to be fun, light, and have a dynamic, engaging conversation when you're together. Don't pick on him or start long, pointless conversations or show him that you're in a bad mood. Be fun, don't take yourself too seriously, and tease the guy a little if he likes it. He will be intrigued by your ability to enjoy life and have a great time.

      Be happy. Men are intrigued by strong, confident women who are comfortable in their own bodies. You don't need to make him think that you are insecure and want to fill the void in your life by meeting him, otherwise he will feel a lot of pressure next to you. Instead, show him that you like the way you look, that you love what you do, and that you are happy with the people around you in life. If you are already happy, then he will most likely be happy with you too.

      Be unpredictable. Unless you want the guy to think he can read you like an open book. Surprise him. Take an unplanned trip. Make a wheel. Show off your perfect French while talking about Paris. Show him that you can be expected, whatever, and you can always interest him. Change your outfits and hairstyles, and also keep him from getting used to your look.

    2. Be impressive. Show him that you are an accomplished, amazing woman. Stand out for something, for your accomplishments in sports or for your career success. Help at the homeless shelter. Make decorations. Do something unique and impressive because you love it and show him what you can do. We are not saying that you should do something just to impress the guy you are putting on this show for. Show him that you are talented, hardworking and amazing and you will intrigue him even more.

      • Don't be superficial or moody. Guys are annoyed, even such girls are angry. Always smile and be nice. This will make you even more mysterious.
      • Is there a special event coming up in your life? Is there a birthday party, a camping trip, a movie you've been waiting for is out, or is your favorite restaurant opening near your home? Incidentally mention this before the event, but do not tell him what it will be. Then, invite him the day before the holiday! He will be pleased that you invited him.
      • Don't overdo it, ignore it, or push it away. For someone to really get interested in you, you need to give them half of the information and make them beg you to tell you the rest.

      Warnings

      • However, don't be too mysterious. He may think that you are emo, weirdo, or hiding something. Be interesting, not mysterious.
      • Don't refuse to give him your number. 9 times out of 10, he will think that you are not interested, or will be upset when he finds out that you are playing with him. If the guy is so "intrigued" by you that he asks for your number, please him. So HIM will have to call YOU to ask you out on a date.
      • Be careful when you try not to go into details. If a guy asks you what kind of music you like, and you say: "I like rock ...", and about food: "I like Italian cuisine ..." and then: "I like ballet flats ... I like ice cream ... I like animals ..." , you may seem extremely boring. Change this. Mention that you like chocolate ice cream or that dolphins are your favorite animals. Don't make him think you don't have an opinion of your own.
      • The mystery may or may not help you get a boyfriend. It all depends on his character. Get to know him a little before trying it to decide if these tricks will work for him.

“If you really want to hear this story, you probably want to know first of all where I was born, how I spent my stupid childhood, what my parents did before I was born - in short, all this David-Copperfield dregs. But, in truth, I don't feel like digging into it. "

This is how Jerome Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye, a classic of American literature, begins.

But you are not reading this article in order to understand the talents of this wonderful writer. We've got a blog about landing pages and internet marketing here, not a reading club. However, there is some connection, as today's topic is about introductions and how to write them.

We often hear about the importance of headlines, but much less often about the value of interesting intros to articles or posts. Of course, you need a tasty headline that grabs attention, but without a strong, persuasive opening, even the best headline won't save you.

Today we'll take a look at how to get started with a blog post, article, interview, whitepaper - pretty much anything that deals with words. There are actually more than five ways to do this, it all depends on your style. There are, however, some general marketing copy techniques that have proven to be extremely powerful.

Introduction # 1: quote

This is the method used in this article, but not because the author is a fan of The Catcher in the Rye.

“And then you will find that you are not the first in whom people and their behavior caused confusion, fear and even disgust” - J. Salinger. From publication in XXY Magazine

The reason the quotation was used to introduce the article is because it is a simple and highly effective way to attract attention, especially when the quoted passage is characterized by a negative tone (or otherwise attracts attention), which is what Salinger (or rather, its protagonist Holden Caulfield).

Before you even read the entire quote, you are already starting to ask questions: what happened in this person's life? what does the phrase "David-Copperfield haze" mean? why is the hero so reluctant to talk about everything that happened?

First of all, it's worth mentioning that a quote only works well if it's interesting on its own. There is no point in using something boring or predictable.

Let's say you're writing an article about the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on human society. Sure, you could start with a corny, unremarkable story about how AI and technology revolutionized the world, but you can also let someone say it for you:

“We use artificial intelligence to summon a demon. In all those stories where there is a guy with a pentagram and holy water, he is sure that he can control the demon. It won't work, "- Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, at the MIT's AeroAstro Centennial Symposium in 2014

The quote reproduced above is one of many ideas from technologist Elon Musk about potential. Yes, it sounds a little sensational. Musk certainly knows how to effectively use provocative language. But such an introduction sounds much more interesting than most introductions to other articles on this topic. (This particular quote has not yet been used as an introduction to anything and is included here for illustrative purposes only.)

It should be noted that this method is a bit difficult to apply and unconventional in the context of accepted journalistic principles. Many editors are committed to correct quotation design, requiring that the cited person be identified as soon as possible. In line with this requirement, the quote above should have been framed like this: “We use artificial intelligence to summon a demon,” Elon Musk said at the 2014 MIT's AeroAstro Centennial Symposium. - In all those stories where there is a guy with a pentagram and holy water, he is sure that he can control the demon. Will not work".

Unfortunately, if we immediately note that the quoted comment belongs to Elon Musk, then its effect on the reader will decrease, if not completely disappear.

Introduction # 2: statistics or fun fact

Did you know that the first American movie to feature flushing in the toilet was Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1960 psychological thriller Psycho?

Everyone loves learning interesting facts, and even if you're a hardcore Hitchcock fan, you might not have heard what was said in the introduction to this section.

This technique is another powerful way to grab attention. It is most often featured in marketing blogs, which makes sense: it defines the general theme of the text in a fun manner, plus something instantly memorable to the reader.

But the real reason for using facts or statistics as an introduction is because they affect our emotions.

Why is this type of injection so effective?

Some emotional triggers are more effective than others. There is a scientific principle known as (named for the German pediatrician Hedwig von Restorff, who first wrote about the phenomenon in the early 1930s): People tend to remember unusual things faster and for a longer period than usual or expected.

This is a manifestation of the natural survival instinct: our brains are tuned to perceive strange or unusual things as potentially dangerous, which is why they are stored in memory.

The WordStream blog, for example, once mentioned the super-memorable fact that the chances of surviving a plane crash are 475 times higher than a user clicking on a banner ad.

Choose statistics and facts wisely. In the banner ad example, the statistics were remembered not so much because of the staggeringly low probability of clicking on the banner, but because of the comparison with survival after a plane crash - this is a vivid hypothetical scenario closely related to survival instincts. Simply stating how many daily active users visit Facebook won't have the same effect. The same care that is required in the selection of a quotation should apply to the selection of the facts cited.

Intro # 3: Classic Narrative

In May 1940, when all of Europe was at war, a detachment of infantry belonging to the famous Manchester Regiment laid siege to the village of L'Epinet in northern France.

Both German and Allied forces sought to capture the strategically located village. The Manchester regiment came under heavy fire from Nazi soldiers. In the end, the squadron managed to stop the Nazis with overwhelming fire. As the German soldiers began to seek refuge behind the lower part of the farm wall, one of the Germans screamed. The commander turned around, believing that his fighter had been hit by a fatal bullet, but instead saw a long, feathered arrow protruding from the man's chest.

The Nazi soldier was killed by a man with an incredible and fantastic name, John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill, known by the nickname "Mad Commander Jack", the only British soldier who fought during the Second World War with his bow and real claymore sword. Churchill praised his Scottish roots. When asked why he took such a bulky, obsolete weapon to the battlefield, Churchill respectfully replied that, in his opinion, "any officer who goes into battle without his sword is not properly equipped."

This is a very interesting story, and it could be a long story to tell about Mad Jack, but this example was taken in order to show how the introduction of a classic narrative style into an introduction can make a lasting impression. I must say that the above fragment is not an example of a real story. There is a beginning (the Manchester Regiment attack on L "Epinette) and an unfolding action (Churchill kills a Nazi soldier with a bow and arrow), but lacks a real end.

Why is this type of injection so effective?

People love stories. In addition to its simple entertainment function, stories have served humanity for thousands of years as warnings and instructions for survival, and even today, despite all modern technology and knowledge, a good, captivatingly told story is still one of the most exciting forms of entertainment.

Introduction # 4: the question

Questions can be quite effective. They provide readers with a hypothetical scenario, offer to use their imagination and connect their life experience with the material of the article. You immediately engage the reader in action by asking them to form an opinion or judgment on the topic - in this example, a preference for a battle with an incredibly large duck or a small army of tiny horses.

Why is this type of injection so effective?

You invite people to think about a very specific scenario. In this way, the technique is close to including facts or statistics: a memorable situation is given, and readers are asked to present their view of things.

Can you solve this ancient riddle? 90% of people are wrong. Once upon a time there was a girl. Once she was caught by a demon and told her that he would let her go if the girl could answer 3 questions. The first sounded like this ...

However, this technique has its drawbacks. Firstly, many online publications use such interrogative clickbait introductions or headlines to encourage users to click on a button and get a follow-up (as a rule, the article does not live up to expectations and only causes annoyance).

Second, there is a structural problem. In the example with ducks and horses, there is no single "correct" answer - the question simply cannot be answered unambiguously. Such moments are frustrating for the reader, especially if you are asking a question that he expects to find an answer to later in the text.

Intro # 5: Set the Tone

By 2017, the global economy had collapsed. There was a shortage of food, natural resources and oil. The military-police state, divided into paramilitary zones, was ruled by an iron fist.

Introductory part of The Running Man (1987) directed by Paul Michael Geyser with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the title role

While this introduction describes the current geopolitical nightmare fairly accurately, it is actually an introduction to a cinematic adaptation of Stephen King's disturbing story, The Running Man.

The technique in which you set the tone for the entire piece immediately gets the attention of the reader.

Why is this type of injection so effective?

This method is close to storytelling technique: the writer creates the basis not only for what happens at the beginning of the article, but also for what to expect next. This introduction is appropriate when dealing with new topics or topics containing hot news feeds.

The method provides many advantages, allowing you to choose a well-defined position on the problem and quickly take the opposite point of view on controversial points. It also helps manipulate readers' emotions by highlighting positive or negative aspects, or reinforcing positions.

Stylistically, this type of introduction can be structured in much the same way as narrative introductions - by including a self-contained story at the beginning, before moving on to the rest of the content, or by quickly talking about a new topic that the reader may not be familiar with. For example, in many reporting, the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Harvey has been blended into the broader political context of the need for disaster relief financial assistance, reductions in government research grants, and the fragility of the political climate affecting emergency management in hurricane-prone situations. phenomena of regions such as the southern and southeastern states of America.

A good introduction to context helps readers understand why what you write matters and also provides them with a solid foundation for understanding the complex, multifaceted problems that take place in our nuanced world of information.

Conclusion

Here are 5 ways to write an intriguing introduction:

  1. Start with a quote.
  2. Provide an interesting statistic or fun fact.
  3. Tell a compelling story.
  4. Ask your readers something intriguing.
  5. Set a special tone.

If you spend a lot of time trying to come up with “catchy” headlines for your content, then hopefully you will now pay special attention to such an important part as the introduction.

The next time you sit down to write an article or sales letter for a landing page, think back to Churchill's daring courage as a Viking warrior going into battle with bow and clay, and then ask yourself if Mad Jack would be proud of you after reading your introduction. ...