For some of you who have written pieces that exceed 20 pages, here's a question...If I am bored with writing a section of this so-called novel, can it possibly NOT being boring to read it? I mean-- do you ever get bored with a section of your novel. Should every chapter knock the reader off his feet?
In a short story, you can keep the flags flying at full mast, but should you expect it in a novel?
You get what I'm saying now that I've bored myself and you saying it six different yet exactly the same ways. When do you hit delete?
Thanks.
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4 comments:
Tough question Patti. I think that if a novel is absolutely relentless in its pace it can be exhausting. And sometimes unbelievable.
But it depends on the type of book you're writing. I would say thrillers pretty much must be relentless. If you're writing crime fiction you have more leeway there. Character is as important as the plot twists.
There are always going to be parts of the book you enjoy reading more, and it isn't because other parts aren't good or necessary. But if you think it lags - and that's a different question really - then you can look at tightening it up or dispersing the necessary information in another manner.
Just my 2 cents. I have to say at this stage of the game, pretty much my whole first novel bores me to tears. I've just read it too many times. Now that it's out, someone asked if I'd read it and I said, "NO!"
Personally, this happens to me all the time. Still, for this situation (not having read the pages) I'd say press on, finish that section and go to the next. Don't hit delete till you've gotten to the end or near to it and know that the section won't be missed.
You're a good writer (I've read some of the short short) so I've no doubt that the section in question is good. Now, is it great? We'll see.
Patti, just keep going. You're tough on yourself, and that's part of why your short stories gleam and you've been so sucessful, but I have to think a novel is a different critter. Give yourself some breathing room. I really doubt it's boring. But in any case, don't worry about it now--just press forward.
I did end up going to see Music & Lyrics yesterday and I just loved it. But I'm class of '86 and will always have a teriffic soft spot for music of that era. They had me from the opening credits with the faux music video!
Thanks for the enocouragement. It's reassuring to know this section might seem better down the road--maybe when I've written an even duller section.
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