We are bundled. News of snow everywhere. A blanket of white. It's time to brace ourselves. And when it's cold, and there is major snow and you are stuck inside what do you like to do?
READ BAKE COOK WRITE MAKE CALLS PLAY FACETIME ABOUT SNOW HAVE NEIGHBORS OVER However you spend this snowy weekend, enjoy it. And hopefully it doesn't cause too much of a headache...stay tuned.
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Just wanted to write a quick THANK YOU for reading the book. People have written me the kindest e-mails. Your feedback and insight about the book mean so much to me. When people tell me how the book brightened their day or gave them something to look forward to, I truly beam. For me, that's what it's all about. If I've helped your day, week, or month along then I feel happy. Sometimes we all need to get lost in a story and live vicariously through someone else's drama. ;) It's freezing in my area. If it's cold where you are, I'm wishing you warm thoughts. And if you're out enjoying sunshine and reading this, save a little sun for me. Happy Tuesday, all! (ie. 3 more days until it's FRIDAY again). Jessica Welcome to Walsh Wednesdays! Happy Wednesday. If today is Wednesday then that means tomorrow is THURSDAY, aka the gateway to Friday. Hope everyone is having a good week and if you're not it is almost OVER.
Speaking of over, this is the last installment of Walsh Wednesdays. I set out to do it until October 28 per this first post introducing Walsh Wednesdays. I can't believe it has been exactly one month. Wow. Time is certainly speeding by. I will miss our chats, but I will try to keep in touch as much as I can. In the meantime, enjoy this final WW post and the book and as always, please feel free to reach out with any thoughts on the Walshes. You can reach me at any time: jessica@jessica-gordon.com. Alright, now…for tonight's post: Behind closed doors…and masks. That's right, Halloween is this Saturday so this post is all about 'behind closed doors,' what goes on behind the disguise, or the mask. I see Halloween and fiction writing as related. You have characters presenting themselves as one way on the page and then you see them behind the scenes. Authors get the unique privilege of writing what happens once the characters are out of the public eye and what happened to the characters before the public eye. Specifically, if you have a character going to a party. You get to read about the character getting ready for the party, the character's thoughts on who will be there, then the scene at the party, and then what happens when the character and let's say fiancé come home from the party. You get to hear the elusive "behind closed doors" conversation that we are not privy to in real life. I love that I can see the inside of a character's mind, their raw emotions, conflicts, thoughts, wants, and desires. It's all there but what they present in public is so different than what is going on in their heads. Halloween is the act of literally disguising yourself, pretending to be someone you're not for a day. But, how often are we disguising our true selves to be someone we aspire to be or think we are or hope others think that we are. We don't have someone writing the very internal dialogues that go on in our heads down on paper for anyone to read. It's interesting to think about how many times you've answered someone calmly but thought something wildly different in your head, or pretended to be engaged or interested in someone or something that was boring, or tried to be friendly with someone only to feel rejected. The list can go on…the point is who are you in public and who are you in private? This concept of a public and private self is so unique to fiction writing because you get to see the main character in both spheres. And as the author, I get to control it. :) A powerful position, but also a stressful one. You want your main character to be likable and relatable but you're reading the very thoughts that go in this person's mind and those thoughts aren't always appreciated or well liked. Then the character has a responsibility to right a wronged situation or try harder or change course under the microscope of the reader. Think of a main character you are reading about now. Do you like the person if they existed in real life? Or do you not like them but understand them and why they did what they did. When you're out on Halloween whether you're donning a full on costume or just being 'yourself' are you being the 'you' you want to be or the one that you know you are? Have a good night and Happy Halloween! Jessica Walsh Wednesday, Post #4 SO sorry for the major DELAY in posting Walsh Wednesday. This is still WW, Walsh Weekend? Does that work? Happy Walsh Weekend!
Today's topic: Enjoying the ordinary while experiencing the extraordinary. Storytelling is one of the oldest and simplest art forms. I believe that all great authors are great storytellers. At the heart of every good book is an even better story. What makes a story compelling? I think there are two things to think about. 1) What is the story actually about? Are we drawn to the story because it is something relatable to our own lives? If you're a new mom, bride, single, etc. Is the main character going through something you recently went or are going through? Or is it a story that involves a fantasy type of element? Something so far remote and exciting that it distracts you from the everyday. Or do you want to read about characters in a familiar situation? For Becoming Mrs. Walsh, I love that it is extraordinary people with ordinary problems. I want both. I want relatable issues but a backdrop that is outrageously unfamiliar and where the people are as glamorous and interesting as the Walshes. And now for point 2) How you tell the story. This brings me back to storytelling. To be a successful author you have to tell a great story and tell it well. The 'well' is the most important part. You could have a super interesting story but if you tell it in a boring way it will not translate. That's why I truly believe the best authors are the best storytellers because they can craft something in a way that really resonates. They build the excitement accordingly and drop in the plot points at the perfect moment. They allow you to 'be on the edge of your seat' and know how to set the pace of the story while highlighting the important parts but easing you through the background layers. Think about your friends or family, is there one person who is particularly funny or exciting or both? They are the people who start off a coffee date by saying, "Do I have a story for you?" Or "You will not believe this." And then they continue to hold your attention. Natural storytellers, you know them when you hear them. The best part about storytelling is that you could be anywhere at any time and be entertained by the simple elegance of a fantastic story told well. Think about that this weekend. Anyone you are seeing that is particularly entertaining? Do you have an exciting story to share? Sometimes the ordinary cadence of life takes over and nothing particularly extraordinary happens but that's why we rely on good books, with stories told well. Happy weekend, all! Jessica Walsh Wednesday, post #3 |
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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