My writing output seems to drop in direct correlation to any increase in blog reading. That’s a problem, I know — but if I don’t take the time to read a few blogs, how can I expect anyone to read mine?
Besides, if I stopped reading, I’d miss out on gems like this one from Janice Hardy’s blog, The Other Side of the Story. She writes:
Choices that don’t cause trouble are wasted opportunity. The whole point of a book is to show someone overcoming adversity to win. If there’s nothing to overcome, there’s no point in the winning.”
What a way to put it!
It’s no secret that I struggle with conflict. (I blame it on being a Libra. Libras strive for fairness and avoid conflict.) Judges’ comments I got on my first completed MS — even after several new drafts — consistently said “not enough conflict to sustain the story.”
What? You mean a girl falling for one guy when she’s trying to “snag” another one altogether isn’t conflict?
Not according to Hardy. She writes, “A choice between two good things with no consequences for making that choice is probably not going to hold your reader’s interest.”
Well, I already knew Brad and Erin’s story needed help. I tried to remedy it in subsequent drafts by casting suspicion on him … I even hacked out their original “black moment” (such as it was. The “Battle of the Birth Control” was pretty silly when I look back at it with a more experienced eye.)
The key for me is to remember that my hero and heroine have to make choices. And those choices have to mean something. The potential for disaster should loom around every corner.
I think that is the case in my more recent stories. Bethany’s decision to talk Cody into applying for the TV show lands them in a heap of trouble. When Kenny asks Kristi to pretend to be his fiancee, things get out of hand quickly.
Hmm. All my blog reading must be teaching me something about the craft.
I loved that post by Janice Hardy. Her blog is amazing! I do learn a lot from reading blogs but I also spend more time than I probably should. I need to find more balance!
I feel guilty when I read blogs and don’t write, too. Oy, I remember when I used to read blogs on how to write a query letter or synopsis. Talk about too much information!
I loved that post by Janice Hardy. Her blog is amazing! I do learn a lot from reading blogs but I also spend more time than I probably should. I need to find more balance!
Ah, that elusive balance. When you find it, will you send some my way?
I think I’m going to have to add Janice Hardy to my Google Reader. I blame you. 😉 (I think it was your link I followed to find her.)
I feel guilty when I read blogs and don’t write, too. Oy, I remember when I used to read blogs on how to write a query letter or synopsis. Talk about too much information!