tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post3797167565122710172..comments2024-03-28T13:35:16.194-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: Creating a Book Readers Can’t Put DownJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-14168728573265108582013-07-30T09:05:37.781-04:002013-07-30T09:05:37.781-04:00I love the braiding metaphor in the "Increase...I love the braiding metaphor in the "Increase Conflict" section!SFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05126306619182458823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-51710213052301005712011-01-05T10:16:24.369-05:002011-01-05T10:16:24.369-05:00This is a really helpful post, Jody. it has helped...This is a really helpful post, Jody. it has helped me frame criticism I have for a critique group member's manuscript, and I will take these elements to my own work as well. Thanks!Tina Hoggatthttp://tinahoggatt.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-31296025870856056802010-12-07T21:36:22.358-05:002010-12-07T21:36:22.358-05:00Hey, Corey! Glad you're finding the Character ...Hey, Corey! Glad you're finding the Character Worksheet helpful! And thanks for reading my blog! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-91173782389358906932010-12-07T19:53:26.820-05:002010-12-07T19:53:26.820-05:00Jody, I really enjoy your blog. Also, I just stole...Jody, I really enjoy your blog. Also, I just stole your character worksheet! Thank you for sharing tools like these. They are so helpful to beginners.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023703420345448413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-55745225716865403052010-12-04T21:55:21.636-05:002010-12-04T21:55:21.636-05:00These are all such great tips. Even though The Pr...These are all such great tips. Even though The Preacher's Bride wasn't a suspense novel, you did a great job of creating suspense! The tension was great, and it provided me with a great example of layering.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-74384591436483131682010-12-04T11:37:48.188-05:002010-12-04T11:37:48.188-05:00Great advice as usual, Jody, thank you!
LorenaGreat advice as usual, Jody, thank you!<br /><br />LorenaThe Sisterhoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09889577041903181315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-89131148390205520912010-12-04T11:28:14.824-05:002010-12-04T11:28:14.824-05:00Let's hope mine do some or all or even a coupl...Let's hope mine do some or all or even a couple'a them :-DKathryn Magendiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12863595228298349863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-40954496078183639572010-12-03T23:39:46.205-05:002010-12-03T23:39:46.205-05:00You covered them each beautifully. However, I woul...You covered them each beautifully. However, I would love to add setting the scene in a way that in your minds eye as a reader you are actually there. I'm a character writer and I just love my characters.Nevertheless, finding the balance of just enough description is an important aspect to me.<br /><br />BriAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07707709087040036470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-29624737854128519942010-12-03T22:40:17.874-05:002010-12-03T22:40:17.874-05:00Great tips. That very last point you made is cover...Great tips. That very last point you made is covered in Jack Bickham's book Scene and Structure. He talks a lot about stimulus and response and having a problem before you've finished the response therefore leading into the next stimulus. <br /><br />You put it really well and give us all something to work with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-78961074453039485382010-12-03T21:15:37.709-05:002010-12-03T21:15:37.709-05:00Excellent information! Thank you for sharing what ...Excellent information! Thank you for sharing what you have learned with all of us, Jody.Linda Hoyehttp://lindahoye.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12659069905565869562010-12-03T19:37:34.021-05:002010-12-03T19:37:34.021-05:00Thanks for your answer regarding romanic conflict;...Thanks for your answer regarding romanic conflict; not sure why I showed up as "Anonymous." :)<br /><br />My manuscripts aren't romances (obviously)- one is black humor and one is satire. But I do have plenty of relationship conficts in both.<br /><br />CMStewartAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-22504448769804757062010-12-03T19:36:07.908-05:002010-12-03T19:36:07.908-05:00Great tips. :DGreat tips. :DM Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-19447261276761125782010-12-03T18:48:49.383-05:002010-12-03T18:48:49.383-05:00Sometimes it seems that a lot of people become dis...Sometimes it seems that a lot of people become discouraged in their writing by the modern reader's short attention span. It's good to find ways of keeping the story interesting without it sounding like a Michael Bay script. Thanks for the post!Hannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936315047570120258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-46464195581044142912010-12-03T18:31:16.939-05:002010-12-03T18:31:16.939-05:00Anonymous asked: You mentioned some romantic confl...Anonymous asked: You mentioned some romantic conflict is essential to hook readers. Must all genres have at least a hint of romance?<br /><br />My Answer: No--not necessarily a romantic strand. But I do think readers like relational elements of some kind. Perhaps a relational strand could take the form of a relationship between a father-son, friend-friend, or brother-sister. <br /><br />I write historical romance, so the relational thread is most definitely a romantic relationship. It's incredibly important and has to be woven in as strongly as the other two (external and interal conflicts).Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-81827309337231786512010-12-03T16:12:06.706-05:002010-12-03T16:12:06.706-05:00Suspense definitely keeps me turning the page--tha...Suspense definitely keeps me turning the page--that breathless wonder of what comes next! I also think a tight pace helps. I write sweet romances, but I try to keep the pace tight. <br /><br />Great round-up, Jody!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-30843351328298634852010-12-03T14:53:30.557-05:002010-12-03T14:53:30.557-05:00All super points. One of the most important is cha...All super points. One of the most important is character; if the reader doesn't care about or identify emotionally with what's going on with the MC, they won't keep reading. <br /><br />One thing I do is try to keep surprises in my scenes. If I think the reader expects something to go a certain way, sometimes I comply, and sometimes I veer off. Unpredictability!Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-47584149771955945132010-12-03T14:10:37.810-05:002010-12-03T14:10:37.810-05:00These are all great points! Thanks for sharing. I ...These are all great points! Thanks for sharing. I am definitely bookmarking this post. =)<br /><br />I wrote a post similar to this subject a while ago if you'd like to read my opinion: http://christiswrite.blogspot.com/2010/03/write-story-not-words.html<br /><br />Basically, the six points that I mentioned in the above post were:<br />1. 3-dimensional characters<br />2. An appealing setting<br />3. Symbolism (I believe symbolism is a powerful tool to attract readers and bring out a spiritual meaning without having to seem "preachy".)<br />4. Real problems, real conflict<br />5. A journey<br />6. Positivity<br />7. Create a story that is different but the same (uses familiar elements of other treasured stories in a new way).Tessa Emily Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08625256104634830104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-77210962323243704822010-12-03T13:30:50.103-05:002010-12-03T13:30:50.103-05:00Great advice! :)
Things that make me not finish a...Great advice! :)<br /><br />Things that make me not finish a book:<br /><br />1. Setting descriptions which go on and on . . I like to be immediately privy to the most important setting details, but beyond that, I prefer to "see" the rest of the details pop out of my imagination as I read.<br /><br />2. Bumbling characters that bumble through the first few chapters without really doing anything interesting or important. Even if they save the world mid-way through the book, I won't know, because I will have moved on to another book before reading to that point.<br /><br />Things that make me finish a book:<br /><br />1. Real, palpable characters with traits I see in myself and the people I know in my life. I like to easily imagine myself as the hero, or sometimes, the villain. <br /><br />2. Subtext. Yes, saving the world and destroying the world is exciting, but what is the hero and villain REALLY trying to do at the end of the day? But I don't like to be bonked over the head with that info. I like it to flow subtly and naturally.<br /><br />You mentioned some romantic conflict is essential to hook readers. Must all genres have at least a hint of romance? My 2 un-shopped manuscripts have none. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33823603752984346702010-12-03T13:21:43.642-05:002010-12-03T13:21:43.642-05:00Hi Jody,
I love your point on conflict. I've ...Hi Jody,<br /><br />I love your point on conflict. I've never categorised or considered conflict in the way you've mentioned: <br /><br />physical, emotional and relational.<br /><br />That's definitely something I'll be taking away to use in my own writing and character development.<br /><br />Thanks for that,<br /><br />NateNathan A Smithhttp://www.worldbuildingschool.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-80157989463243206762010-12-03T13:05:02.047-05:002010-12-03T13:05:02.047-05:00As a reader, I want to be able to cheer for a char...As a reader, I want to be able to cheer for a character, to relate to them and feel their feelings. I also want payoff at the end of the book in terms of resolution and a feeling of fairness. I never like books that end suddenly or without resolution, but that's just me.<br /><br />Great post and thanks for sharing the character worksheet.Robinhttp://uncommonhumanity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-72841874399449217552010-12-03T12:25:41.481-05:002010-12-03T12:25:41.481-05:00Great post - and congrats on the good reviews for ...Great post - and congrats on the good reviews for <i>The Preacher's Bride</i>! As a reader, I've found that the single most important element in keeping me turning the pages is an unanswered question. If the author has hooked me with a tantalizing clue, but hasn't yet solved the mystery, I'm going to be reading as fast as I can to satisfy my curiosity.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13832782604769370695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-25877131548329566602010-12-03T12:17:46.409-05:002010-12-03T12:17:46.409-05:00I think I need to work on my read-on-prompts. Beca...I think I need to work on my read-on-prompts. Because I am a person who loves closure. I think I write each chapter towards closure -- it's just the way I think. <br /><br />And you're right, these need to be built into our work in a way that is natural and not contrived. <br /><br />Today, I posted an excerpt from the book I'm writing. I've never done that before. If you're curious, you can take a peek (wink, wink)<br /><br />Now that was a read-on-prompt right here in my comment. . . See? I'm practicing already!Cassandra Frearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16564236561567663914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-46807157531898418002010-12-03T12:12:38.142-05:002010-12-03T12:12:38.142-05:00Great advice! I'm currently reading a book tha...Great advice! I'm currently reading a book that has infiltrated my mind - it's all I can't think of. I don't know what it is about it. Maybe it's the ridiculous situations that I just need to know what happens, or my investment in the characters. I hope I can write something so enticing someday!Chantalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543581308363689982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-14972570851501595782010-12-03T12:08:21.136-05:002010-12-03T12:08:21.136-05:00Jody, this is great. And thanks for sharing your C...Jody, this is great. And thanks for sharing your Character Worksheet. I'm preparing to dive in deep with the characters for my story, and this is very helpful.Brock S. Henninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718214541048130039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-51684061494396619292010-12-03T11:55:54.105-05:002010-12-03T11:55:54.105-05:00I like what you said about creating and prolonging...I like what you said about creating and prolonging suspense. This can be done with every genre but it's necessary if you want to make the reader keep reading. Thanks for the tips!Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.com