Translating Reading to Fine Writing

As writers, we're admonished to read excellent books in our genre. Many post about how they analyze an author's style, plot, characters, and setting. As a Seat-of-the-Pants writer, this comes about as naturally as standing on my head.

So, how do I translate what I'm reading into principles I can integrate into my writing?

1) I read the story for pure enjoyment. If it grabs me and takes me on a breathtaking ride, I go with it.

2) After I finish, I evaluate how the book affected me. Did I keep getting pulled out of the story or was I engaged the entire time? Did the author create characters that were sympathetic or did I want to slap them silly? Was the ending satisfying or did it leave me feeling cheated?

3) When I narrow down the aspects of the book I liked and the ones I found unsatisfactory, I ask myself, "how did she/he do it?" Did the author make all those historical references a natural part of the story or did they pound me over the head with facts? What techniques did the author use to evoke an emotional response in me, the reader?

4) I then compare the methods against my WIP. I'll re-read sections and see if they're effective or need more work.

5) If I were reading my book, would I want to have a sequel or be disappointed at the end?

Writers: How do you translate what you read into tips for your own writing?

Readers: What makes a book go from so-so to so awesome?

Friday Round-Up - #160

Janalyn Voight, at Author Haven, interviews Marc Schooley. They talk about a subject near and dear to my heart: Seat-of-the-Pants writing.

If you're a plotter, have you ever tried SOTP writing.

All of you SOTP writers, do you have any insights to share on how you write?

Janalyn Voight, at Author Haven, gives 7 tips on writing tense crisis scenes.

#4 got me. I should do a search for words like "nodded" and "shrugged." I'm sure I use them too often.

How about you? Is there a particular point on her list that nailed your shoes to the floor?









A few weeks ago, we had a Laurel Garver week. This is officially "Janalyn Voight" week. :) Congrats, Janalyn. Your posts keep me thinking.

Happy weekend!