An author mistakes hiding facts for suspense. When we don’t yet know the protagonist and can’t imagine what is causing her anguish, we aren't invested. The longer this ‘suspense’ goes on, the more the novel drags.
I get some of my best tips second hand. A friend took a class in which Allison K Williams said, “give someone page 51 of your manuscript. If they know what’s going on, you don’t need the first 50 pages.” I think she’s probably right. So far it takes me to about draft 4 to see it at play in my own work.
I’m on exercise 16 of Donald Maass’ Breakout Novel Workbook. I keep telling people it’s like taking my novel to therapy. He’s forcing me to make characters experience the consequences of their baggage and take away their back-up options. Thank god there’s a ‘note’ at the end of Exercise 16 that says, “listen, if it seems like your novel has come unraveled- don’t worry! It’s gonna be fine.” I found this reassuring.
I dedicated my Friday evening reading binge to The Mortality of Dogs and Humans. Time spent in good company! Well done. 🐶🐾
Thank you for reading my little ‘love letter’ to dogs! I love that idea of turning to page 51. Unfortunately, the book I discuss in this post has that problem, exactly!
Donald Maass has so much good advice. I have his “Emotional Craft of Fiction” in my TBR pile. Do you subscribe to “Writer Unboxed?” He is one of many writers/agents who blog there. His posts are always helpful.
Bans are insanely politicized, with books that are nothing more than open provocations, followed by predictable results. This should not be a partisan issue
I can’t think of any books that are nothing more than open provocations that would be in the library. Generally, they have a purpose that meets the mission of the organization. In public libraries that might just be providing what interests the reader. School libraries have more well-defined missions, I think.
I read the article (thanks for the link). I don’t se this book as nothing mor than an open provocation., but I can see how it would make people uncomfortable. (I liked what the author of the article had to say about that.) I will post the link in the coming week’s post. It would be interesting to get some thoughts on it.
Thanks Victoria. This book may not be exactly what I saw. But the article is a rare attempt to de-politicize and rationally examine the issue. What I meant was anyone can find very sketchy and poorly-written sex or alternative lifestyle books for minors, just like very sketchy and poorly-written political books for adults. These will never advance an issue, but are meant as a middle finger to the other side.
I get some of my best tips second hand. A friend took a class in which Allison K Williams said, “give someone page 51 of your manuscript. If they know what’s going on, you don’t need the first 50 pages.” I think she’s probably right. So far it takes me to about draft 4 to see it at play in my own work.
I’m on exercise 16 of Donald Maass’ Breakout Novel Workbook. I keep telling people it’s like taking my novel to therapy. He’s forcing me to make characters experience the consequences of their baggage and take away their back-up options. Thank god there’s a ‘note’ at the end of Exercise 16 that says, “listen, if it seems like your novel has come unraveled- don’t worry! It’s gonna be fine.” I found this reassuring.
I dedicated my Friday evening reading binge to The Mortality of Dogs and Humans. Time spent in good company! Well done. 🐶🐾
Thank you for reading my little ‘love letter’ to dogs! I love that idea of turning to page 51. Unfortunately, the book I discuss in this post has that problem, exactly!
Donald Maass has so much good advice. I have his “Emotional Craft of Fiction” in my TBR pile. Do you subscribe to “Writer Unboxed?” He is one of many writers/agents who blog there. His posts are always helpful.
Strong characters create the most tension. Something's always gonna happen. I want to know why
I want to know why, but I want to know at the right time. :-)
John Oliver's 27 minute profile of attacks on libraries and librarians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42xZB80sZaI
I included that last week. It is really great! If people haven’t watched it, they should! Thanks for the reminder.
Bans are insanely politicized, with books that are nothing more than open provocations, followed by predictable results. This should not be a partisan issue
I can’t think of any books that are nothing more than open provocations that would be in the library. Generally, they have a purpose that meets the mission of the organization. In public libraries that might just be providing what interests the reader. School libraries have more well-defined missions, I think.
This is a politicized issue, one meant to browbeat the opposition, not advance the interests of children. Pretty disgusting, but that's our era. https://slate.com/human-interest/2023/09/banned-books-list-its-perfectly-normal-facebook.html
I read the article (thanks for the link). I don’t se this book as nothing mor than an open provocation., but I can see how it would make people uncomfortable. (I liked what the author of the article had to say about that.) I will post the link in the coming week’s post. It would be interesting to get some thoughts on it.
Thanks Victoria. This book may not be exactly what I saw. But the article is a rare attempt to de-politicize and rationally examine the issue. What I meant was anyone can find very sketchy and poorly-written sex or alternative lifestyle books for minors, just like very sketchy and poorly-written political books for adults. These will never advance an issue, but are meant as a middle finger to the other side.
Terrific writing advice, Victoria! Also those blooms are gorgeous!
Thanks. I’m glad I had someone with me who reminded me to look!