Tension in Writing

I was reading a “Sweet” romance, which I enjoy as a whole. I like the gamut of the romance genre, but I cut my reading teeth on sweet romances as a young one.

I recently read one where the heroine and hero were alright, but there wasn’t that tension. The electricity a reader feels when they catch each other’s gaze from across the room. The story itself, and the writing was ok, it kept me reading through out the 250ish pages…

Which is short for a historical romance. Or maybe I’m just used to reading mammoth books. But if the reader is feeling the lack of chemistry, maybe it should have been lengthened.

At one point, the reader is told the heroine’s stomache fluttered at the sight of the hero. That was it. All the tension in that should have been dripping in that scene, the longing…. And all the reader received was being told about a flutter.

I used to be a less is more kind of writer. I know that description is one of my weaknesses. Being honest, I was being a lazy writer. Still am, but I’m getting better at making passes on my work as I go, adding details. Glances. A shiver down the spine. Or a golden candlestick on a mantle handed down by generations.

It’s interesting reading as both a reader and a writer. I’m learning a lot, and also enjoying myself quite a lot.

Ta, my lovelies. I’m off to find my next book.

Or maybe I should pick up the pen and write a bit in one of the two I have going on right now.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert is a romance novel that opened my eyes up in regards to writing in the characters viewpoint.

We all know about POV and perspective. At least I assume we do (if not, as with my last post, ask your question! Well get it answered! No fuss, no miss, no hate).

The male lead in the HEA is Red. Red has long, red hair, tattoos and relationship baggage. He also has an artistic talent that permeates his character. We know he’s an artist not just by the paint under his nails, but how he thinks of Chloe. He thinks of her in color and texture and warmth and light. It’s not just Chloe, either. Somehow Hibbert just slips us into an artists mind and it feels great.

But it also reminds us writers that there is more to writing in a charters perspective than just the nuts and bolts. We need to take the time to think through what a character’s passions will do to the way they think of the world. It’s both terrifying and liberating as a writer.

As one who isn’t that great as fleshing out details it’s scary. As one who loves a puzzle, it’s kind of intriguing and exciting.

Ta, my lovelies. I have a villainous hero who I need to flesh out.

It’s going to be so fun!

Libby, the Library & Me

Hello my lovelies, it’s been a while. I’ve been… Going through some stuff, both emotionally and, well, physically. Lots of changes in my life. Most of them not so great, but a natural part of life.

I hadn’t been to the local public library in a long time. I remember going last year, right before I got Covid. So August-ish. I may have gone since then, but that is the last time I remember. And I remember because.one of the books, a collection of 4 essays by Oliver Sachs, I sat in the hallway way more than 6 feet away from my dad who sat in his recliner, and read them aloud to him. That started a habit– we read poetry, a Zane Grey, and a few other books together that way. I treasure those memories.

But between responsibilities at home and time crunch from work, I didn’t go very much. But I still wanted to read and didn’t have a whole lotta money to always be feeding my addiction to reading.

Libby is a reading life saver. A little app that connects you with library books to read on your phone or kindle or other device. I love Libby. Have several books on my Libby app right now and am enjoying them greatly (and 2 that I’m ready to review and will be doing so soon).

Since I have time and space to myself currently, I went to the Library on Saturday. Yes, I am lucky enough to have a Public Library open on the weekends!

It’s easy to forget, or to push to the back of your mind, exactly WHY Libraries are so important. Not only  for the community as a whole but also on a personal level. Even for someone who does read on a device.

Now, my lovelies I’m going to go ahead and make the assumption right now that you know the arguments for WHY Libraries are important at the public level, but if not drop a comment below and we’ll talk about it. No hate, no making fun, just a grown up discussion on the importance of libraries to their communities.

We’re on to the personal, the reader perspective or at least THIS readers perspective. And here we go….my reasons why the library is important to me.

DISCOVERY. Much like how going into a bookstore allows more organic discovery of new authors than shopping online, it’s easy and cost effective to find new authors or genres or just things that catch your eye. I just read my first Brandon Sanderson story and loved it! (Oh wow I actually have 3 book reviews to do! I’d better hurry up and get cracking!)

COMMUNITY. Reading is a solitary hobby, even if we are living with all these characters in our head. We need hits of community, of being social even while being solitary. When I was in the library last Saturday, I saw a table that had a sign that said something along the lines of Sit for a while and Relax. There were adult coloring pages and pencils. One was a sea horse. I love sea horses so I sat. And colored. All by myself, but still feeling like I was part of the community. Surrounded by other book lovers.

And my favorite part of the community aspect is they’re doing a Summer Reading Program for grown ups that is… BOOK BINGO! I was so dang excited you know I’m gonna play! I get to play a game! Using the books I read! And it’s so awesome!!!! I may not take one of the classes. Or be able to show up for the people they bring in to talk about gardening. But a Book Bingo card? I can do that!!!!! I’ve already got 3 books to put on the card! (Yes the three I need to review and/or just talk about.)

So. Go to your library. Poke around. Get books or do classes or go on a computer or just do you. But go.

And also use Libby if you’re able to. It’s worth it.