Posts Tagged With: writing

Add “spice,” please, to whatever you’re writing, for sales and your own satisfaction.

When is your writing and work enough? Done? For character and plot? For editing?

I sometimes read published books where the character doesn’t seem to express much beyond what they want in the moment. I don’t know much about them after I’ve read the book or pages of a manuscript. The plot is linear:  get something or someone. The plot gets repetitive with one action after another of equal value.

What’s wrong with a book like that? Spice is missing, and it’s so easy to develop!

Spice can also refer to punctuation, which has to be correct. Don’t let people whisper “this novel needed another draft and editor.”

Of course in our unpublished manuscript we get the luxury of typos for a while. Now let’s think ahead to story pride, sales and good reviews.

Solutions to “thinness” of plot and editing seem apparent, such as “hire somebody” or “go over it one more time.” Those are options, but there is one other option: HIRE YOURSELF. Please don’t be so eager and anxiety-ridden about time passing in your life that you must rush to publish.

Consider that you are an expert at many things. Take pride in that.

You have talent and time—at any age! For extra pride, focus on being a “spice expert.” Spice is about adding texture.

I usually step back and look at my own work to add texture to scenes, and that exercise works with clients or students.

If you’re at a loss about this, look for ONE to THREE fascinating facts about something you mention on page one or page 20 and 50. Did we learn anything? Did you add any fun item? Go back and add something interesting. Keep it short.

Insert information to not just pique our interest but to show what your character cares about, what knowledge they might have to rely on to solve the plot or problems at hand or coming at them in the next 50 pages.

Bestselling authors set up scenes early with spice and at major plot point areas for plot possibilities and character enhancement. A character goes into the scene with a goal, meets with conflict, and ends with any form of cliffhanger. That pattern is basic stuff; now add one interesting “spice” element. Don’t rush to publish just because you have formula in place. Add the spice.

Is there a fact that might help? That’s spice.

A reaction that is personal to the character (or you in memoir)?

A color or temperature or other five-senses fact that might help give this scene texture?

An interesting or even goofy secondary character to help add spice?

Is there an object that could be noted or used? (Plumb your life!)

Is there a background fact to come into play to support character action or decision? (Use your background!)

What about a location detail that matters more than you think at first?

Not every scene will be loaded with answers to those questions. Please don’t load us down. “Spice” is about creating highs and lows, intriguing facts, the galloping feel of a good novel and YOUR OWN STYLE!

Consider:  As we walk away after reading your manuscript, what are you known for? How did you give us fun or memorable information or attitude?

Start with a simple task:  What’s the true SPICE in your first few pages or within a key, memorable scene anywhere? Can you add something? Even an interesting word that matters to character or plot?

When a writer I’m working with (including myself!) gets bogged down, I often suggest they step back and do this:

DELIGHT readers.

Why care about that? Too often we get mired in “seriousness.” We worry about plotting, or plotting dire deeds and cliffhangers, maybe murder, or a sad person moving to a small town to start over, war, galaxies torn apart, romance not working, and so on. Memoirs also might bog down.

Stories are serious, but readers also need relief amid the seriousness.

“Delight” is subjective, of course.

Delight operates in all genres, though.

Giving a character a moment of delight can “illuminate” your character in a way that makes them memorable, a much talked-about character.

Delight means to give joy or pleasure. Even for a moment. We sometimes describe the feeling as “delicious.”

For a project that’s not working to your satisfaction, look for your “delight quotient.” It operates in EVERY GENRE or type of story, novels, memoir, scripts, etc.

What can help a reader ENJOY your first page? Scene? Chapter? The other pages?

Delight can surprise you. Know your genre. Delight might be a bloody fight or a quiet kiss, depending on genre.

Many authors bring animals into a manuscript to provide delight. Cute children and lovable older characters also get hauled into usage, and that’s okay because readers “delight” in those things if not overdrawn to the point of clichéd. Strive for originality to deliver “delight.”

A fun word or phrase can deliver delight. Most of us might recall a movie’s tough Indiana Jones saying “I hate snakes” after he encounters the huge pit of snakes.

Being able to IDENTIFY with “delight” makes it work for readers.

Delight is a feeling and a reaction, therefore often based on what YOU have experienced. Trust yourself and include it.

Will every reader “get it”? Maybe not and that doesn’t always matter. You’ll find your readers if you do a good job satisfying the overall need for “Emotion and Entertainment” in any writing project.

Delight can be contagious even when we have not shared the same experience. I don’t play major-league baseball but when a player hits a grand slam and jumps up and down like a little kid, I also experience the feeling of delight.

Delight with earned success is a common reaction no matter the subject. We enjoy watching someone in a first recital, and we clap heartily at a graduation. I also cheer after I finish writing a good chapter or scene.

A “reversal” of fortune can delight readers, too.

Delight need not be funny.

Delight readers with daring danger. Car chases and going into dark caves often do it for readers.

Appeal to our five senses. Hearing a baby’s giggle delights us, for example. Spotting a rainbow makes us pause and point it out. A tasty, unique description of eating chocolate cake can delight readers. 

Being original instead of clichéd will bring delight, almost guaranteed.

Delighting readers is a seduction. What does your reader like? Give it to them!

Caution:  Over-doing anything can kill the feeling of delight, though that depends on genre sometimes. 

“Delight” usually needs a spotlight and simplicity. Piling on actions, objects, characters, and sensory images in a short space can overwhelm readers and not feel delightful at all.

How would your character experience true delight? Have you shown the readers that on the page? Where? Soon enough?

Give your readers the OPPORTUNITY to feel delight. Reward will follow.