Happy Wednesday, everyone! Sorry for the late post. I suppose it's Happy Almost Thursday.
Today's post: Previews If last week we discussed endings, I figured this week could be a discussion of beginnings. Not "beginning" beginnings, but previews. The "Look Inside" feature on Amazon, for example. Or really any place that allows you to preview a book on your e-reader. Even the blurb of a book I suppose is applicable. I always marvel at what draws me into a book. Is it the subject matter? The dialogue? The characters? What grabbed me and didn't let me go and made me tempted to "click and buy." What exactly was IT? There are so many reasons to read a book. Some may even just read one because a good friend or family member mentioned to do so. Perhaps a recommendation from another trusted reader or a mention on media of some form led you to a book...but what caused you to purchase it? I notice when I am poking around on Amazon specifically (though this can happen on any book selling site), I do a lot of "Looking Inside." Those first few chapters or chapter or whatever is posted is fascinating. Some of the previews draw me in completely and I am hanging on every word. Others start to seem interesting and then lose steam for me. Not because it is a bad book (I don't believe in 'bad' books...authors work way too hard), but because the book didn't go where I wanted it to or where I thought it was going. Reading is so subjective and I think different things make people more or less interested. There are so many cases of one person loving a book and another hating it. So in answer to the question of :"What causes you to buy a book?" My answer is DIALOGUE. Yes, I'm using caps. It's obnoxious. I CAN'T help it. :) I love reading dialogue and for me it has to be fast-paced. I don't like long paragraphs between speakers. I want to read (and hear in my head), short, snappy dialogue. When the novel begins with dialogue and it's good dialogue I am instantly attracted. It's like you're jumping into the action, you're a fly on the wall in an instant scene and in someone else's life. People talking. That's it, I love eavesdropping. This is cheesy to admit, let alone publish for people to read, but these Walsh Wednesday posts are for you, so here it is. I love eavesdropping. If I'm out and something sounds juicy, I may be trying to listen a little closer or coming up with a story as to what is going with those people, their backstory, where they are from, where they are headed...and then I get back to work, (on the Walsh family, promise!). Conversations are so fun to create between characters, a character's personality really shines through in the way he speaks. When you have a charismatic charmer (insert loud cough...MARK), it is really fun to write and then read back. Sometimes aloud. Yes, I talk to myself when I'm writing. And I guess blogging. I am reading this aloud as I type. :) Alright, I better go before this conversation leads astray. But pay attention to Previews and see why you picked up your next book to read, it's a fun exercise. If you're curious about the Becoming Mrs. Walsh preview, check it out here. Have a great night and see you next week! Jessica Walsh Wednesday, Post #1
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JeSSICA GORDONBecoming Mrs. Walsh I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Xo. Archives
February 2016
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