Monday, February 3, 2014

Blending My Words



I sometimes make sweet and sour meatballs. Three of the ingredients, pineapple juice, BBQ sauce, and cranberry sauce, require mixing to achieve the right consistency. If I don't mash the jellied cranberry sauce into small enough chunks, it won't merge with the other flavors.

As I work on my book, I blend words together. Does this sentence stir my heart or intrigue my mind? If I add a bit more dialogue, will it improve the flow of the story? Is there enough setting detail to ground the reader or so much that it stops the action?

I allow the plot to simmer. My heart and mind travel down different paths to see where they will lead. This direction will add tension, while another resolves a problem. I return to season my tale with the fresh insights I've gained.

Writers: What are some of the ways you "cook" your stories?

Readers: What makes a book go from good to awesome for you?


Photo Credit: Duchessa


5 comments:

Rhonda Schrock said...

Some columns and posts flow quickly and spring up spontaneously. Others simmer for a long time, like stew.

Odd, how it works. But I'm glad it does. :)

Karen Lange said...

I like this analogy! And now I am hungry...:)

Happy blending and writing,
Karen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Rhonda - Different foods require different cooking times. So it is with stories. :)

Hi Karen - Yes, I'd better go make dinner.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

I have to think about that one Susan, I like the analogy you use... kind of like sweet-n-sour writing :)

Jeanette Levellie said...

What a great analogy, Suze!

As a writer, I love using snappy dialog to add fun to my stories.

As a reader, I love action that moves the story along. Too much narrative or description makes me yawn.

Please share your recipe--it sounds great!

Love, Jen