Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Dem Bones
Anyone remember this song?
The toe bone connected to the heel bone,
The heel bone connected to the foot bone,
The foot bone connected to the leg bone,
The leg bone connected to the knee bone,
The knee bone connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone connected to the back bone,
The back bone connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone connected to the head bone,
What does this have to do with writing?
Well, about a week or so ago, a friend complimented me on the structure of my stories. At first glance, that sounds a little dry, but it's actually tremendously positive. It means all parts are well-done to present a cohesive story that is effortless and enjoyable to read.
Isn't that what we writers want?
Ah, but to get to "effortless" takes plenty of work. Characters must be three-dimensional and "sound" different from each other. Plot must be tightly woven, with no loose ends or sagging spots. Dialogue must be smooth. Back story must be effectively sprinkled amongst the story. Chapters need purpose and containment, and yet somehow flow into the subsequent ones and push the story forward.
A great read is like a beautiful house.
We walk through and admire its elegance, rarely stopping to think of architects, blueprints, electrical contractors, concrete, faux paus, color schemes, etc. You know. The boring stuff.
Well, not boring to interior designers. And that's what you are to your book: the architect, the contractor, the builder, the interior designer.
So that's it. Just some random thoughts of mine to get you thinking. As for me, I've got 30 minutes to spend on Before the Blood before I switch to work. Gonna take it.
The toe bone connected to the heel bone,
The heel bone connected to the foot bone,
The foot bone connected to the leg bone,
The leg bone connected to the knee bone,
The knee bone connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone connected to the back bone,
The back bone connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone connected to the head bone,
What does this have to do with writing?
Well, about a week or so ago, a friend complimented me on the structure of my stories. At first glance, that sounds a little dry, but it's actually tremendously positive. It means all parts are well-done to present a cohesive story that is effortless and enjoyable to read.
Isn't that what we writers want?
Ah, but to get to "effortless" takes plenty of work. Characters must be three-dimensional and "sound" different from each other. Plot must be tightly woven, with no loose ends or sagging spots. Dialogue must be smooth. Back story must be effectively sprinkled amongst the story. Chapters need purpose and containment, and yet somehow flow into the subsequent ones and push the story forward.
A great read is like a beautiful house.
We walk through and admire its elegance, rarely stopping to think of architects, blueprints, electrical contractors, concrete, faux paus, color schemes, etc. You know. The boring stuff.
Well, not boring to interior designers. And that's what you are to your book: the architect, the contractor, the builder, the interior designer.
So that's it. Just some random thoughts of mine to get you thinking. As for me, I've got 30 minutes to spend on Before the Blood before I switch to work. Gonna take it.
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