Happy Spring 2020.... such as it is! I truly hope you're all healthy and staying self-isolated as is the buzzword of the year. In any case, welcome back to yet another Round Robin Blog Fest!
I've been away for a
while with work and writerly type things as well as picking up my youngest from
college due to the Covid 19 virus. Since the world seems to be coming to a
standstill, this is great time to catch up on some blog posts!
This month's
question is: What draws you into a story?
With all the uncertainty and surrealism in the world right now, a good story is anything that takes our minds off the craziness!
I enjoy a strong opening that makes me curious about what comes next. The story should not only make a reader ask questions, but give them tidbits of information about the characters without overwhelming them with information. I don't mean the laundry list of height, weight, appearance and full backstory all in one lump. Those sorts of long, rambling paragraphs can make a reader's eyes glaze over! For me, I prefer to learn that sort of information along the journey as I read.
A well-written story should flow. Not only with a solid story with a timeline that makes sense to the readers from start to finish, but also one that moves along well from scene to scene. Writing with long, slow sections then dialogue with no tags tends to be confusing and jarring. A smooth blend of dialogue woven with description and action makes for a nicer read.
One of the best ways to draw me into a story, is to have a strong main character with a compelling plot. Whether it's a plot that's overdone or not, there can always be fresh elements or great lines.
I'm a sucker for good humor. Not so much the slapstick and inane, but clever one-liners and puns. I enjoy characters (and writers) who don't take themselves too seriously. But enough about me!
Stop by and visit my fellow writers. They're a talented bunch with a lot of great humor and amazing stories to tell!
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.comWith all the uncertainty and surrealism in the world right now, a good story is anything that takes our minds off the craziness!
I enjoy a strong opening that makes me curious about what comes next. The story should not only make a reader ask questions, but give them tidbits of information about the characters without overwhelming them with information. I don't mean the laundry list of height, weight, appearance and full backstory all in one lump. Those sorts of long, rambling paragraphs can make a reader's eyes glaze over! For me, I prefer to learn that sort of information along the journey as I read.
A well-written story should flow. Not only with a solid story with a timeline that makes sense to the readers from start to finish, but also one that moves along well from scene to scene. Writing with long, slow sections then dialogue with no tags tends to be confusing and jarring. A smooth blend of dialogue woven with description and action makes for a nicer read.
One of the best ways to draw me into a story, is to have a strong main character with a compelling plot. Whether it's a plot that's overdone or not, there can always be fresh elements or great lines.
I'm a sucker for good humor. Not so much the slapstick and inane, but clever one-liners and puns. I enjoy characters (and writers) who don't take themselves too seriously. But enough about me!
Stop by and visit my fellow writers. They're a talented bunch with a lot of great humor and amazing stories to tell!
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1RR
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
Enjoyed your post. We all seem to have similar viewpoints, but we're probably all extensive readers. And you are right. This is one of the most surreal times I've ever experienced.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head when you say "not with a laundry list of height weight eye color etc" but with some intriguing bit of their character. The kind of tidbit that makes the reader ask a question.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right about not giving a "dump" of information about the characters. Learning about what they look like, what they think and feel, should be an organic part of the story. That's when my attention gets grabbed, and I feel I'm in the hands of a good writer. Then I'll make the journey along with their characters.
ReplyDeleteI am editing a book at the moment. It is stuffed full of information, at all the wrong places. I shall refer the writer (not yet author!) to your post for instruction.
ReplyDelete:)
Bob
I find it almost impossible to describe my H&H. This is a drawback with younger editors who want it spelled out. Strong main character and compelling plot sound good to me. I also like humour (Brit spelling, sorry) and avoid slapstick.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to write humour is a gift. Any book that can make me laugh out loud is a good book.
ReplyDeleteNice Blog . Thanks You For Sharing Such Information.
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