Category: Reading

Five Words

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This state is sometimes called the fictional daydream or, in German, Kopfkino, literally “cinema in the head”.

The challenge for the writer is writing five words that will ‘hook’ or immerse the reader in the story. Then keeping the reader immersed. Entire books have been written on how to do this and “Deep Point of View” so I won’t try to cover all of that here. Your editor will work with you to assist you in this.

However, I thought it was fascinating to read about what happens when readers read here: https://lithub.com/what-does-immersing-yourself-in-a-book-do-to-your-brain/

The only secret

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Often, the purpose of writing the first draft is to tell yourself the story. By the time you finish, you should have a very good idea of what you want to say in your story. Rewriting is the time for clarifying your message.

Some of the best writing advice I’ve heard is to “Mean what you say, and say what you mean.” Using the correct words to convey your message as clearly and effectively as possible is important because it gives your reader the best reading experience.

One Single Fact

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The one single fact which can give significance to an entire story is sometimes called a ‘significant detail’. This can convince the reader that the story is plausible, could actually happen.

Show rather than tell the significant detail in vivid and realistic detail to spark in the reader’s imagination, the cinematic or fictive dream.

The last sentence is comforting. Your wildest ideas are fine, so long as you can find that one fact that makes them believable. You can do anything!

Are You Funny Yet?

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Funny

Life happens to all of us. For writers, all of it is grist for the mill: the good the bad and the downright ugly. Don’t you love Marian Keye’s attitude?

I have a beloved aunt who has one of the funniest people I know. I asked her about it once and she said that, for her, it’s a nervous reaction. I sometimes wish I and certain others would develop that reaction. It would be a lot more socially acceptable!

Sometimes the funny side of a situation takes a while for us to see, but writing about it helps. I think I’m going to try seeing the funny side a lot sooner.

The Power of Empathy

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In my humble opinion, empathy is very important for a writer. Being able to put yourself in the shoes of each of your characters. The ability to ‘be’ them, one after the other, is a definite advantage when it comes to writing down convincing descriptions of the internal workings of those characters and eliciting the emotions you want from readers.

Readers love well rounded characters, realistically flawed, motivated and human. We love to see them overcome impossible odds and get their well deserved just deserts. It gives us hope that we too can fine our happily ever after.