tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post1660778482970034387..comments2024-03-28T12:40:14.627+00:00Comments on MOODY WRITING: Readers Have Needsmooderinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-35184584337187111732013-02-18T18:29:09.585+00:002013-02-18T18:29:09.585+00:00@Hart - I think once you're aware of these thi...@Hart - I think once you're aware of these things and keep them in mind, that's enough to guide your writing. There are lots of ways to do it, once you pay attention to it.<br /><br />@Donna - so many people I tolerate in real life who I so wouldn't in fiction.<br /><br />@Lydia - I love reading books by people who know stuff I don't.<br /><br />mooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-25440755316288448342013-02-18T16:58:46.928+00:002013-02-18T16:58:46.928+00:00Well said. I also agree with the need for new info...Well said. I also agree with the need for new information--you can have all the drama in the world but without learning something that changes the game, it gets very tired.Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-52463391753562960422013-02-18T14:07:51.893+00:002013-02-18T14:07:51.893+00:00Yes. Great observations. I had to smile when you w...Yes. Great observations. I had to smile when you were talking about the whiny character because I've got a needy friend who does that a lot. I can only spend so much time with her as a result. <br /><br />People may roll their eyes a lot in real life, but it gets old fast in a book. Donna K. Weaverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15763832177263927311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-70672855829500433802013-02-18T14:03:52.215+00:002013-02-18T14:03:52.215+00:00I think on most of these fronts writing mysteries ...I think on most of these fronts writing mysteries has improved my focus. There are just enough things that HAVE to makes sense and fit together. The rules require that the READER in retrospect, should be able to connect the clues and think 'ha! I should have seen that' but it shouldn't be too easy initially.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-69303483469772547682013-02-17T22:30:10.913+00:002013-02-17T22:30:10.913+00:00Fair enough.Fair enough.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-64013027649969207202013-02-17T22:20:14.301+00:002013-02-17T22:20:14.301+00:00@Squid - I don't think answering questions aut...@Squid - I don't think answering questions automatically provides satisfaction, and equally leaving stuff out won't always intrigue the reader/viewer. But it's important to recognise that the need for resolution is there in the audience. How you choose to use it will vary from writer to writer and story to story. <br /><br />I'm with your wife on Lost. Started well, went nowhere.mooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-82911509623052234512013-02-17T15:44:25.257+00:002013-02-17T15:44:25.257+00:00Alright, I'm going to challenge you on one poi...Alright, I'm going to challenge you on one point. I'm not sure all problems need to be resolved for a story to succeed. Sometimes it's best to leave a few questions unanswered. <br /><br />I'm a big (make that HUGE) fan of the Italian film "Cinema Paradiso." Do you know the movie? In the original theatrical release, quite a lot of loose ends are left untied by the end. It's frustrating, true, but the yearning for their resolution is essential to the viewer's connection to the protagonist. We share in his heartache.<br /><br />Years later, a director's cut was released in which all of the questions are answered. While as a lover of the story, my curiosity is satisfied, I think that overall, the film is weaker as a result. While I could happily watch the original over and over again, I don't feel I ever need to watch the director's cut again. The sense of mystery is gone.<br /><br />On the other hand, in support of your point, I think of the TV series "Lost" in which writers introduced all sorts of ridiculous tangents (polar bears?) that were never explored. Viewers (by which I mean people like my wife) were ready to mutiny by the end.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-21002106861360397522013-02-16T14:54:20.330+00:002013-02-16T14:54:20.330+00:00@Rusty - I find it better to go the TMI route and ...@Rusty - I find it better to go the TMI route and then cut back. Easier to see the shape emerge.mooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-28472333139810098392013-02-16T14:05:13.814+00:002013-02-16T14:05:13.814+00:00If I could only take out of this article what I wa...If I could only take out of this article what I wanted to, I'd be tempted to think of myself as the greatest writer in the history of the world, as I tend to info dump like you wouldn't believe. I have to weed that stuff out in revisions and edits... but the early versions of my stories, they can be tough to slog through.Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-45567128896736776342013-02-16T10:11:35.101+00:002013-02-16T10:11:35.101+00:00@Elizabeth - if the ideas are interesting enough y...@Elizabeth - if the ideas are interesting enough you can lay them out or hold stuff back and it will entertain either way. It's a choice. When a writer feels the only way to keep the reader hooked is not to tell them the whole story, it usually means they don't have faith in what happens and are delaying out of insecurity.<br /><br />@Golden - Cheers!mooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-49392348662581583602013-02-16T02:41:34.912+00:002013-02-16T02:41:34.912+00:00Comprehensive list. I like your explanation of the...Comprehensive list. I like your explanation of the need for new information, especially!Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-61161764767689725652013-02-15T23:27:18.867+00:002013-02-15T23:27:18.867+00:00I've seen some great storytelling done with ma...I've seen some great storytelling done with main characters that are absolutely reprehensible. There's a different draw to that kind of story, I guess? Schadenfreude?<br /><br />I'd love to see a future post elaborating on the need for understanding. Totally agreed that logical consistency is absolutely important, but I think a story draws a reader in if everything isn't all laid out, and we all know the joy-killing effects of the info dump. There's a balance point there, I guess? Elizabeth Twisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133959633383307056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-48676811057756936262013-02-15T16:51:07.014+00:002013-02-15T16:51:07.014+00:00@Rachna - Entertainment first!
@Beverly - Ah, Fre...@Rachna - Entertainment first!<br /><br />@Beverly - Ah, French sewers, what could be more romantic...mooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-20703784378803677702013-02-15T15:45:23.073+00:002013-02-15T15:45:23.073+00:00All excellent points. Re: new information - make i...All excellent points. Re: new information - make it relevant to the plot, and make sure it is not one big info-dump. Last year I read Les Mis, the unabridged version (kids, don't try this at home) and while the sewers of Paris WERE relevant to the storyline, I did NOT need 30+ pages of the way sewers were built, all the way back to Roman times.<br /><br />And yes, I want an ending, a REAL ending, not a War of the Worlds "and the aliens all caught cold and died."Beverly Diehlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00392288953821757887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-52422304491061431962013-02-15T13:08:27.115+00:002013-02-15T13:08:27.115+00:00I am all about entertainment and closure and ofcou...I am all about entertainment and closure and ofcourse the need for information.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-70546765340625368372013-02-15T11:55:34.331+00:002013-02-15T11:55:34.331+00:00@Carissa - Yes, satisfy my cravings!@Carissa - Yes, satisfy my cravings!mooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-23017126271851192142013-02-15T10:52:24.069+00:002013-02-15T10:52:24.069+00:00This is a great list, and a great way to frame it ...This is a great list, and a great way to frame it ... readers with cravings that we need to satisfy.Carissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10594436685900756259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-53007998493409641302013-02-14T23:57:22.652+00:002013-02-14T23:57:22.652+00:00@Elise - me too, although some people love to wall...@Elise - me too, although some people love to wallow in a bit of misery. Horses for courses.mooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-53432128664204145492013-02-14T23:56:13.442+00:002013-02-14T23:56:13.442+00:00@CS - no reason why you can't.
@Misha - too m...@CS - no reason why you can't.<br /><br />@Misha - too much free time, that's my problem.<br /><br />@Al - the secret of my refrigerator is not to trust the cheese.<br /><br />@Medeia - you don't necessarily have to use them, but it's good to know what they are.<br /><br />mooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-87180040108528541692013-02-14T23:42:36.713+00:002013-02-14T23:42:36.713+00:00The need to entertain is a big one for me. As a re...The need to entertain is a big one for me. As a reader I want to escape and a good book is my ticket to Anywhereelse. Elise Fallsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-53767201518552966782013-02-14T22:23:59.863+00:002013-02-14T22:23:59.863+00:00Great list. I agree that there are certain story t...Great list. I agree that there are certain story traits that people look for, no matter the genre. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-9327062886618863242013-02-14T21:01:49.317+00:002013-02-14T21:01:49.317+00:00Probaly I will have to reveal the secret of the re...Probaly I will have to reveal the secret of the refrigerator. :) Valuable information you give us here!Al Diazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08107619009321980764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-23062564522490982532013-02-14T20:12:42.829+00:002013-02-14T20:12:42.829+00:00Great post! You really did cover everything in it....Great post! You really did cover everything in it. :-DMisha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-26417905248497135252013-02-14T19:52:16.882+00:002013-02-14T19:52:16.882+00:00I'm currently writing a novel that centers aro...I'm currently writing a novel that centers around genetic manipulation. I've always been fascinated with genetics (majored in biology), and I hope I can bring that excitement to my readers without it being too lecture-y. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433372760860510949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061937348591302555.post-40276722562601634352013-02-14T18:34:14.315+00:002013-02-14T18:34:14.315+00:00@Alex - Teleportation is available now but Apple a...@Alex - Teleportation is available now but Apple are holding it back in case it impacts iPad 3 sales.mooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.com