This woman (“Annie”) in my critique group is struggling with a big story. It’s her first book and she may have bitten off more than she can chew, but there’s a lot of good stuff in there, if she can get it organized. The rest of us have encouraged her to read a popular multigenerational saga, maybe just thumb through one at the library (free, not far from the house). In this way she could see how a skillful writer handled the challenges that Annie is facing. Annie is resisting, which seems mindless to me but that’s not my topic.
At the writing blog Parking Lot Confidential, Amy McLane describes the many useful ways writers can learn from active reading. As a new writer I sometimes struggle with, say, getting my main character, Kristen, out of her car and into the house without belaboring the journey. (“She turned off the ignition, pushed open the door, and stood up. Closing the car door…”) You see what I mean? Bleah. Whereas an experienced writer will have Kristen inside that house with the speed and beauty of astral travel. Once I see how that’s done, I can steal the technique. How to get a bunch of Czechoslovakians to America and follow them for three generations? Might be harder.
Thanks, Kathy and Debbie. It’s good to know I’m not alone!
Once again, I think we must be related! Perhaps because of my journalism background (reporting on every little thing that happened), I, too, have to watch out for “belaboring the journey.” I think your solution about reading, reading, and more reading hits the nail on the head!
HI Lynne,
Great post! Couldn’t agree with you more!Now that I’m, writing, I am reading(devouring) much more to the point that I have towers of books on my bedside table and coffee table. Just finished a memoir, “If I Am Dead or Missing” by Janine Latus and felt tuned in to her style, her pace, something I would not have done before I started writing. I am always looking for ideas for my own book and the best way to do that is to keep reading other books and of course to keep writing! Thanks for the interesting link,too!