Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Co-hosts for the March 1st are
Question: Have you ever read a line in novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?
What a good question! I think Jo Rowling with the Harry Potter actually trained me to really appreciate it when I see authors who do this. Having been a moderator for The Leaky Cauldron's forum The Leaky Lounge in the heyday before the release of the last book, I really delved deeply into the books. And the hints she gave were things we called THiPS (Things Hidden in Plain Sight).
She actually spoiled me for books I've read since, thinking everyone crafted their stories so carefully.
What about you?
Do you ever feel jealous or does it inspire you to up your game?
Preston and Child did that for me with their Agent Pendergast series. Sorry, never read Harry Potter although I liked the movies and certainly enjoy those sections of Universal Studios. When I have a bit more time, I will though.
ReplyDeleteThe key with the Potter series is the things you don't pick up in the first read. It's in subsequent readings that you realize you're on a treasure hunt.
DeleteI'm not bragging (right), but there were some fellow translators of mine who got envious of some of my translation solutions especially of the way I translated some book titles LOL I also had college students telling me I am their inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThat would be so frustrating! And the second part awesome!
DeleteOh sure. I been a bit envious of authors who blew my socks off. But it's a good kind of envy that only made me want to try harder to be a better writer.
ReplyDeleteRight! Inspire us to up our game.
DeleteWhat a lovely writing prompt -- THiPS! Could be a prompt for revision as well. I do wonder how this might apply to our own writing.
ReplyDeleteIt's helped me to always think about foreshadowing.
DeleteInteresting. This reminds me of Adrienne Rich's work, "When We Dead Awaken: Writing as an Act of Revision." I'm not sure where THiPS will take me, as I usually revise and revise and revise. I really just like the image of THiPS.
DeleteI really appreciate J.K. Rowling's writing talent too and authors who can write surprise twists.
ReplyDeleteBeing surprised but also struck by the rightness of a plot twist is so fun!
DeleteYeah, J.K. Rowling is a good example. No surprise she got all those millions of fans.
ReplyDeleteRight? And she put a ton of work into it, working on it for five years before beginning the first book. That takes dedication.
DeleteShe is a master of the craft. Truly deserving of writer envy!
ReplyDeleteHear hear!
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