tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post5903838638460704037..comments2023-11-02T02:40:48.410-07:00Comments on Crime Fiction Collective: Tips for Picking up the Pace in Your FictionL.J. Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-36913666591022247592012-03-26T22:13:57.748-07:002012-03-26T22:13:57.748-07:00All very good advice, Jodie. It's so important...All very good advice, Jodie. It's so important to keep things moving. Not too fast, but not too slow, either. One thing I've learned to do--and trust me, it didn't come easily--is to give the readers just enough info so they can let their imaginations run wild. I set the scene with a few key sensory impressions--the smell of things, the mood of the surroundings, but I keep them brief and let the readers fill in the blanks. <br /><br />I also make it a point never to describe my main characters in vivid detail. I may drop one or two hints, but I don't want to interfere with the readers' imagination or impressions. I think it's often what you don't say that's important, rather than what you do.ANDREW E. KAUFMANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835920472268730244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-8052118286652997372012-03-26T14:50:21.888-07:002012-03-26T14:50:21.888-07:00Thanks, Tom! :-)
Gayle, great advice about not en...Thanks, Tom! :-)<br /><br />Gayle, great advice about not ending a chapter with a character going to sleep! Also, don't start a book or a chapter with a character waking up, then showering, getting dressed, having breakfast, etc. Yawn.<br /><br />I think there will always be literary novels where you can enjoy every word and turn of phrase. Readers of popular commercial fiction expect to be entertained more, though - they want things to move along at a faster clip. They want their adrenaline to flow!Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-20060326175414603462012-03-26T14:30:23.911-07:002012-03-26T14:30:23.911-07:00A wise editor once told me, "Never end a chap...A wise editor once told me, "Never end a chapter with your character going to sleep. Your reader will put the book down and follow their lead."<br /><br />I like to write fast-paced books, and typically see them unfold like a movie in my head. It's part of the genre. <br /><br />HOWEVER... I do feel sad for the days when our attention spans were longer and we could linger over beautifully-worded descriptions of setting and people. At the end of the day, I just love words and love to find them put together in unique and eloquent ways. <br /><br />Man, I feel old.Gayle Carlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783449240138097315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-48922358363387894172012-03-26T09:12:46.605-07:002012-03-26T09:12:46.605-07:00Great post Jodie, I can see why so many writers hi...Great post Jodie, I can see why so many writers hire you!Tom Adairhttp://authortomadair.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-71381533209944126912012-03-26T08:49:39.617-07:002012-03-26T08:49:39.617-07:00Thanks for your comments, CJ. I agree that showing...Thanks for your comments, CJ. I agree that showing the character's transition from point A to point B is a lull in the action and should be left out as it doesn't advance the plot, contribute to character development, or add tension - unless he/she has an accident along the way or is being followed or chased, of course!Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-90356071158272652262012-03-26T08:17:38.139-07:002012-03-26T08:17:38.139-07:00Great post Jodie.
I agree with you and LJ on the ...Great post Jodie.<br /><br />I agree with you and LJ on the need to make description active. Those long passages of description really don't work for me as a reader or writer, so whenever I describe something I also work to move the story at the same time.<br /><br />You made another great point about "moving people around". So often new writers focus on how characters get from place to place. Sometimes it is necessary, but we all know how to drive and take the bus and a lot of that can be left out.CJ Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13520787721959143183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-86832813690235938672012-03-26T07:35:18.017-07:002012-03-26T07:35:18.017-07:00I agree completely, LJ. I really like how you weav...I agree completely, LJ. I really like how you weave the descriptions of the setting into your stories, as they go along. <br /><br />The thing for aspiring authors to avoid is using the first several paragraphs of the book just to set the scene. You need to hook your readers in first, with some action and dialogue. But then quickly tell us where they are, so we can get situated. And add more details of the setting as you go along, with the occasional descriptive paragraph thrown in, for a nice respite for the readers.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-66665649327143032562012-03-26T07:29:41.060-07:002012-03-26T07:29:41.060-07:00Great advice! But some readers want to get a feel ...Great advice! But some readers want to get a feel for setting, especially in a series, so some description is necessary. The trick is to weave it into the action, such as occasionally driving/racing across town.L.J. Sellershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-46122309997839799342012-03-26T07:27:32.131-07:002012-03-26T07:27:32.131-07:00Peg, you're so right about starting each scene...Peg, you're so right about starting each scene as late as possible, without all the warm-up, and ending it early, rather than dragging on and rehashing what went on. I forgot to add that one. I think I will right now! Thanks for that!Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-91547610937366220632012-03-26T07:13:05.146-07:002012-03-26T07:13:05.146-07:00Jodie, a terrific post as usual! The more I learn,...Jodie, a terrific post as usual! The more I learn, the more I discover I don't know.<br /><br />Along with the skipping ahead and jump-cutting, someone once told me to come in to each scene late and leave early.<br /><br />I love your advice to "just leave out the boring bits."Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.com