I think established writers have a lot more wiggle room than novices like myself. So I sometimes become more rigid than I should. Knowing what rules are important is paramount.
Ryan Lanz always manages to post great information for writers and this post hit it out of the park. A Guest post contributed by Kate Fosteron 7 Writing Rules For Fiction is so on the money.
I’m reblogging this post as a reminder to myself to not stifle let my voice shine through in my writing.
I hope my readers enjoy!
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The magic that flies through your fingers as your imagination takes flight…
So do I! But writing isn’t magic. Writing is hard work. However, there are days when it seems almost magical. When all the letters line up to form the perfect words and great sentences to tell a good story. Too bad that doesn’t happen every day.
Why? Because I would no more tell a writer their book is flawed, than a new mother her baby is ugly.
And I do not plan to give a bad review today. However, I learned something very important this weekend and I wanted to share it with y’all.
I’m sure, you like myself you have an arsenal of “how to” books on writing. Books on the plotting or writing by the seat of your pants. I’ve been reading a lot about structure and plotting but this weekend I figured out something.
I figured out why some books with no structure, less than perfect grammar, without a plot to play in, is often times loved by readers.
After spending the entire weekend reading a long fiction book, with a lot of 5 star review from Amazon readers. I discovered why some books make it when they are about as structurally sound as a beach house after a hurricane.
This book did not live up to the 5 star hype. About 70% through the book I stopped and wondered why I didn’t care for the book.
Story? Nope, I’ve read about abuse and survival before. Subject didn’t bother me.
Missing plot? No good plot thread, could see the reflector stripes leading the way.
Editing? No problem I could find. Well written.
Characters? No, they were 3D easy to picture, but…
Then it hit me, it was the characters.The characters were not likable! They were sweet, handsome, loving, scary, nasty pick an adjective but I could not root for either of them much less the MC. I even found it hard to hate the nasty, bad guy. By the time I finished the book I was relieved to reach the end. I had no satisfied feeling, no ah ha moment, no happiness for the MC, just glad the ordeal was over.
So my take-away from all of this is the most important thing in a book or story is:
A character the reader can love or hate!
If we love a character we will forgive a bunch of faults. Just like that crazy on Aunt who ruins the holidays, but God life would be boring as hell without her.
It’s important to give our readers someone to love, or hate. But never, For the Love of God, never give the reader someone to feel ambivalent about.
Make the villain so nasty the reader needs to take a shower, the lover so hot the reader is frustrated, the damsel in distress that the reader cries for her. Tough job. Here are some links to help.
My excerpt might not make you cry but I hope it makes you smile.
“Thanks,” I said, “I’m lucky you came along.”
I pushed the wet hair from my eyes and looked into his. That crooked grin stopped my heart. I cleared my throat not trusting myself to say anything else, afraid I’d sound like a blubbering idiot.
“Glad to help. Here.” Mitch said, “Not sure how clean it is but I guess it’s better than nothing.”
I took the small towel he offered. Our fingers touched and thoughts of that strong hand wiping the rain from my body sent shivers down my spine.
“T t thanks,” I stammered. God I sounded like a simpering teenager.
Mitch turned the heat up and pulled back on to the highway. I dabbed at my hair with the dirty towel covered in grime and the smell of man. This was one towel I had no intention of returning.
Give a try at writing something emotional and post it in the comments section. (50-150 words)
Jean's Writing 