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Monday (Mini Book Review) Madness
Monday (Mini Book Review) Madness
This week I read:
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Click the links to friend me on Litsy or Goodreads and unite our bookish communities!
Thursday’s Thoughts On Writing: Characters Who Make You Care
Think of a book that made you care, that had you so invested in the outcome that you wanted to cry or shout or throw the book when things didn’t go the right way. When you think of that book, what is it that you think about? The setting? The plot? Or the characters?
For me, a good plot keeps me hooked, but a good character makes me feel.
Anne Of Green Gables. The Hunger Games. The gang from Harry Potter.
Would any of these books have such lasting and widespread success if the characters didn’t feel so real to the readers? I don’t think they would. Because these characters feel like someone we know. A friend. An ally. Someone we care about.
So, what is it about these characters that draws us in? What makes them feel so real?
I believe it’s their quirks. Their vulnerability. Their flaws. They have insecurities, they doubt themselves, they feel anger and shame and sorrow. But they also feel happiness and joy – just like a real person would.
Making sure your characters are well-rounded is what brings them to life.
So give them flaws. Make them doubt themselves. Make them feel and think things we’ve all felt and thought before, something the reader can identify with and have an, “I’ve felt that way too,” moment.
Happy Writing!
Here are some articles to check out if you want to some writing tips:
Character Development: How To Write Characters Your Readers Won’t Forget
33 Ways To Write Stronger Characters by Kristen Kieffer
15 Ways To Make Your Characters Suffer (For The Good Of Your Novel)
ARC Review: The Scam List by Kurt Dinan
From Goodreads: Meet the best teen con artist team around.
Boone McReedy: high school conman, smooth-talking charmer, and the idiot who just got scammed out of $15,000 of his mom’s money.
Darby West: ass-kicker, straight-shooter, and Boone’s ex-girlfriend.
Now, they must team up to save their parents’ business, one con at a time.
That is if they don’t kill each other first.
Of course, they’re only going to scam people who deserve it.
That’s a promise.
Would they lie to you?
As he did in his award-winning debut, DON’T GET CAUGHT, Kurt Dinan brings laughs, twists, and heart to THE SCAM LISTS’ funny world of teen con artists, exes, and outrageous five-dollar bets.
Review: What a fun book! Sometimes you just need to read something lighthearted and enjoyable for sheer amusement, and this story is it! I read Don’t Get Caught by this author last year and thought it was a blast, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this one – and it didn’t disappoint! Engaging characters, an entertaining plot, and an easy read – this one is sure to appeal to even the most YA reluctant readers!
The subject matter might seem a bit risque to some – there is underaged drinking and, of course, scams, but there is a moral to the story and it’s all in good fun. Also, it’s written by an experienced high school teacher – when you consider what many teenage students are exposed to (remembering back to my own HS years) – this pales in comparison. However, if you are a parent with concerns I suggest you read it first.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Scam List is slated for release August 3, 2020!
Monday (Mini Book Review) Madness
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Thursday’s Thought On Writing: Character Consistency
When editing, character consistency is something that’s easy to overlook, but your character’s behavior and personality need to be true to who you’ve developed them to be. That’s not to say that the character can’t change and evolve over the course of the story, they can, but you need to include the reader in on the character’s inner journey.
For example, a character who is easy going and forgiving can’t suddenly have a wicked vendetta, and vice versa – a vengeful character can’t suddenly become forgiving – not without you showing the reader how the change came about.
I’m guilty of this myself.
Because sure, your MC is a kind, patient, wonderful human being except for that ONE person. And haven’t we all had that person in our life? That someone who just rubs us the wrong way, even if it’s for a reason we can’t quite pinpoint? It’s fine for your character to have that flaw too – you want your characters to be realistic. But just because YOU know that this is your character’s ONE person, it doesn’t mean your readers will know. If this is behavior that’s out of character for them, you need to address it somehow.
There are many ways this can be done, including internal dialogue or in discussion with another character, other characters discussing the MC’s uncharacteristic behavior, maybe even in conversation with that ONE person themselves – have them call the MC out!
Here are some articles to help you keep your character’s behavior and personality consistent:
5 Ways To Keep Characters Consistent by by Darcy Pattinson
Building Consistent Characters by M.L. Keller
Self Editing Advice: How To Tackle Character Consistency by Jessica Bell
Monday (Mini Book Review) Madness
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Thursday’s Thoughts On Writing: Creating Suspense
I have a love/hate relationship with books that keep me up most of the night reading: I love when a story is so good that I can’t put it down! I hate the gritty, tired eye feeling in the morning (even if it’s worth it!).
And I know I’m not alone here. I know there are other readers out there pulling late nights with a good book. But what is it that makes us sacrifice sleep?
For me, it’s not the bam-bam-bam of action that keeps me reading. It’s the tension of needing to find out what happens next. The slow burn as the flame travels up the wick, getting closer to the stick of the dynamite, keeping me in suspense.
And here’s the thing – it’s not just thrillers that need that steady draw. Don’t all writers want to keep their book clutched in a reader’s hand? This applies to all genres.
Here are some helpful articles to help you develop suspense in your writing:
Just Writerly Things: How To Create Suspense In Your Story
The Write Practice: 7 Steps To Creating Suspense by Joe Bunting
Writer’s Digest: 6 Secrets To Creating And Sustaining Suspense by Steven James
Keep your readers hooked! Happy Writing!
Monday (Mini Book Review) Madness
This week I read:
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