#amreading – Page 7 – Jean's Writing

What is the difference between suspense and tension in a story?

Published on April 21, 2017April 21, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

I know it’s hard to decide.

Suspense, and tension work hand in glove throughout a good story. The chills, thrills, big and small are what keep us turning the pages.

Here is a reblog of a post from Ryan Lanz and his guest blogger John Briggs about how to add ratchet up tension in your story:

Favorite Writing Advice: Adding Tension to Your Story

Until recently I always thought I preferred a more direct fast paced action. What changed my mind? A book that was written with page after page of subtle clues that built suspense and tension with emotions.

This book was also written in two of my least favorite formats. Head-hopping and non-linear. You know what I mean. Where each chapter is from a different person’s point of view and the story jumps back and for over a span of time. Yet, I couldn’t stop reading.

Why? Because I had to find out what happened.

The story is about a neighborhood and the domino effect that happens when one misunderstanding after another leads to problems. Throw in a stalker, control freak, drugs, booze, kids and you have a recipe for one big mess.

Fractured by Catherine McKenzie is a five-star read!

Fractured by [McKenzie, Catherine]

But which do you prefer?

The blood and guts action or subtle building of suspense?

Talk to me – I love reading your comments.

Please head over and “like” my Facebook page at Facebook at jeanswriting . Or to connect with me, click the “write me” tab. Don’t forget you can follow me on StumbleUpon, on Twitter @jeancogdell , and Amazon.com.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

Suspense versus Tension

What’s the Difference Between Conflict and Tension?

Do you know how to write good exposition background?

Published on April 19, 2017April 13, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell18 Comments

And how to avoid info-dumping?

FYI, I’ve been working on my latest book for the past year and boy-howdy this has been a big issue for me.

Not sure what writing with good exposition is?

It’s like beautiful painting when done right. But done wrong, turns into ugly info-dumping.

Too much information in a story all at once drives me nuts. How to weave it in so the seamlessly so that the reader absorbs the information without distraction, now that takes a little talent and a lot of hard work.

So what is the difference between info-dumping and good exposition?

Bridget over at Now Novel (link below) just wrote a terrific blog post that gives us examples to live by. And for me, this couldn’t come at a better time. I just finished ripping about a thousand words from my WIP because it contained too much info.

What did I learn about writing “good exposition” from this post?

With dialog, make it realistic.
- Remember how people have conversations. No one dumps their family history all at once when they meet a stranger.
Use to set up the history of a place.
- I can use a characters’ present and their past or even future, to flesh out historical details of their lives. But it’s important to merge the description with the scene settings.
Write descriptions with rich atmosphere.
- use personification of objects to enhance. Give an inanimate object human-like character to show your setting’s atmosphere with a metaphor or an analogy. What’s the difference between metaphor and analogy?
A character’s personality.
- Peppering a scene showing glimpses of a character’s personality, development, fears, loves, hopes, etc. can make the character 3D.
Open by describing puzzling, dramatic events before the novel begins.
- Sowing curiosity, in the beginning, can develop a reader’s desire to search for an answer.

This is just a glimpse at the information Now Novel shares about avoiding info-dumping and writing with good exposition.

To read the entire post click on this link.

Good exposition examples: Narrating your story’s background

My tip…

Read, read and read some more. Read good books, bad books, newspapers and magazine articles. Because unlike TV, and movies these venues must engage the customer with words. Fake news is a good example. These writers paint such a vivid picture readers fall for the story.

Did it help you understand how to avoid info-dumping?

Do you have any tips to share that will help me write better descriptive scenes?

Tell me, how you insert information.

I love your comments, keep them coming.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

Another good post, keep reading!

How to Start Your Mystery Novel By Chuck Sambuchino

Images provided by www.pixabay.com

Are you forgetful? Do you need a list?

Published on April 17, 2017April 12, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

A shopping list? A to-do list? Christmas list? Repair list?

Me? Oh yes! I’m lost without a list for everything. I’ve lists on my phone, on the fridge, on my desk, and in my computer.

I can hear you. Yes, they overlap but how else will I have the list when I need it.

But I’d never thought about making lists for my story or for my characters!

What a wonderful idea.

Not only have I divided it up into sections but also made lists for my characters and scenes.

I even made my protagonist an anal list maker. How fun.

My manuscript now has lists (steps) that the characters must complete in each scene.

Okay, I heard you. Yes, it’s a lot like scene goals, but I’m breaking it down a little further. For me it’s working to break through a bit of stalled writers slow down, I’ve had lately.

Click and Read Janes post –

How Lists Inform Our Writing, Our World by Jane Friedman

Tell me have you ever made “lists” for a scene or character to fulfill?

What do you think of my list idea?

Talk to me – I love reading your comments.

Image Source Pixabay.com

Do you need help with your latest writing project?

Published on April 12, 2017April 10, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

Search no further!

I’ve found a site that might have just what you’re looking for.

Check out the following website that contains 18 tips, and PDF documents on topics related to writing fiction.

Write a Novel, a resource created by Crawford Kilian starts off with hard truths for writers but don’t be discouraged, there is something for every writer. He even touches on understanding contracts.

My favorites:

#4. Storyboarding.
- Storyboarding is something I struggle with. Putting my scenes onto small cards is a big challenge.
#5. Style Checklist
- Question asked, “Are you telegraphing your punches.” Now, this really got me to thinking. And anything that challenges me is great.
#7. Ten points plots
- The plot begins long before the story starts. The story begins at the latest possible moment before the climax. Gonna have to work on my beginning, again.
#9. Scene construction.
- When a scene ends the reader should know more about the characters and the characters problems should have increased.