Ira Rozzini
asked
Penelope Douglas:
How can you make the story look so "alive"? I love the way we can see, hear and feel the same things as the characters. Once I tried to put into words a story that was running through my mind, but no matter how many times I tried, the whole thing felt flat, emotionless. Thank you
Penelope Douglas
Hey, Ira! Thanks for the question!
First of all, we're our own worst judges. Every book I write, there comes a point where I'm like "This is crap. It sucks. I hate it." We're very good at talking ourselves into believing we're not doing a good job, so don't beat yourself up. Get other perspectives.
And second, as far as the writing goes, the best piece of advice I ever got was "stay in their head." My editor told me that on note after note she sent back to me every time I had to edit Bully--again, and again, and again. Don't tell us what their thinking or doing. Show us.
Instead of saying, "I was so angry! The jerk wouldn't leave me alone."
Say "My jaw ached, because I was biting down so hard. What an asshole!"
When you're mad, you don't narrate what's happening to you or what you're feeling. You have to put yourself in the skin of the character and show me what's happening to you. Stay in their head and stay in the moment.
You should be emotionally drained after writing, because you just lived through what you're character did. If you're not, then your reader won't be, and that's not a good thing. So during edits, take time to evaluate your sentences and scenes to make them more "in the moment" with a sense of urgency.
I hope that helps, and definitely get editors who either aren't your friends or aren't afraid to tell you the truth. I'm scared shitless of mine, but I know she's going to tell me what I don't want to hear. It's better to hear it from her BEFORE I publish and have time to change it before it goes to the readers ;)
Good luck!!
First of all, we're our own worst judges. Every book I write, there comes a point where I'm like "This is crap. It sucks. I hate it." We're very good at talking ourselves into believing we're not doing a good job, so don't beat yourself up. Get other perspectives.
And second, as far as the writing goes, the best piece of advice I ever got was "stay in their head." My editor told me that on note after note she sent back to me every time I had to edit Bully--again, and again, and again. Don't tell us what their thinking or doing. Show us.
Instead of saying, "I was so angry! The jerk wouldn't leave me alone."
Say "My jaw ached, because I was biting down so hard. What an asshole!"
When you're mad, you don't narrate what's happening to you or what you're feeling. You have to put yourself in the skin of the character and show me what's happening to you. Stay in their head and stay in the moment.
You should be emotionally drained after writing, because you just lived through what you're character did. If you're not, then your reader won't be, and that's not a good thing. So during edits, take time to evaluate your sentences and scenes to make them more "in the moment" with a sense of urgency.
I hope that helps, and definitely get editors who either aren't your friends or aren't afraid to tell you the truth. I'm scared shitless of mine, but I know she's going to tell me what I don't want to hear. It's better to hear it from her BEFORE I publish and have time to change it before it goes to the readers ;)
Good luck!!
More Answered Questions
Crystal Logan
asked
Penelope Douglas:
Hi Penelope! First i would just like to say that i LOVE your books! Jared Trent is and will always be my favorite book bf lol. Is Falling Away the final book in the series? If so any idea on what you'll be writing next? I'm hooked if i had my way you would never stop writing lol.
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