Writing Tips Archives

Why I Read and Write Fiction – Confessions of a Bookworm

Posted by NormaGail on Jun 19, 2020 | Comments Off on Why I Read and Write Fiction – Confessions of a Bookworm

I read and write fiction because I am curious about the world. Fiction increases our awareness of the world around us and broadens our horizons beyond the confines of our daily life.

Fabulous Fridays

Why I Read and Write Fiction – Confessions of a Bookworm

I read and write fiction because I am curious about the world. Whether contemporary or historical, fiction transports the reader to another place and time. A well-written novel invites the reader to become part of the story. Fiction increases our awareness of the world around us and broadens our horizons beyond the confines of our daily life.

Fiction vs. Non-fiction

Why I Read & Write Fiction 1

Non-fiction teaches facts. We learn about one topic in detail with little stimulus of our imagination. One problem in our world today is people’s desire to be heard above news media rhetoric. Talking heads with a set agenda tell us what to think.

A well-written novel invites the reader to become part of the story... #amwriting #amreading #fiction Share on X

Fiction, on the other hand, covers a broad range of experiences through the eyes of many different characters. One book enables us to enter the minds of a variety of people from different levels of society: rich and poor, educated and uneducated, management and employee, husband and wife. Points of view are expressed in a non-confrontational way. Readers experience what someone thinks, why they think that way, and develop empathy. Fiction opens us up to new ideas while stimulating pleasure areas in the brain.

Fiction and the Real World

Why I Read & Write Fiction 2

For example, in my new romantic suspense, Within Golden Bands, the reader experiences the hurt and longing of a woman who craves motherhood but cannot become pregnant. I wrote from the heart about longings I experienced. My husband gave input on passages about the husband’s reactions. The story isn’t ours but we dealt with the emotions in real life.

In our world today, fearful of the COVID-19 pandemic, torn by protests over racial inequality, stress and anxiety run rampant. Fiction transports us away from the tension of non-stop news to a place where our brains can rest. Stimulating the imagination is therapeutic.

Fiction transports us to a place where our brains can rest... #anxiety #relaxation #bookworm Share on X

Works of fiction contain the truth about life, history, current events, and even faith. Christian fiction reveals how others might respond to personal crises, relationships, and world events from the standpoint of their faith. I watched my mother-in-law grow in her relationship to Christ through the fiction she read.

Benefits of Reading Fiction

Why I Read & Write Fiction 3

All the best and worst of life is contained in fictional worlds. As we watch characters react to life events, we grow our minds with new possibilities. When based in fact and experience, the author’s imaginings can demonstrate scriptural truth.

Novels open our eyes to fresh perspectives by transporting us into an imaginary world... #amwriting #imagination #escape Share on X

All in all, fiction provides escape from stress and reveals new ways to respond to the world around us. Novels open our eyes to fresh perspectives by transporting us into an imaginary world. We escape everyday turmoil, satisfy our curiosity, expand our thinking, and rest our minds through the pages of a book.

Fiction transports the reader to another place and time... #booklover #novels #readingrocks Share on X

About the author:

Norma Gail - Author Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.

Two cover images

Kill Your Darlings: The Plague of Novelists

Posted by NormaGail on May 22, 2020 | Comments Off on Kill Your Darlings: The Plague of Novelists

“Kill your darlings” is a phrase dreaded by every fiction writer. To cut scenes, which bring readers to our level of knowledge about the characters is painful. However, a book is often stronger if some aspects of the past remain hidden.

Kill Your Darlings: The Plague of Novelists

“Kill your darlings” is a phrase dreaded by every fiction writer. The story that exists in our mind pours forth like water over a breached dam when we begin to write. To cut scenes, which bring readers to our level of knowledge about the characters is painful. However, a book is often stronger if some aspects of the past remain hidden.

Kill your darlings is a phrase dreaded by every fiction writer... #editing #amwriting #authorlife Share on X

To Kill Your Darlings Increases Action

Two favorite scenes from my most recent book, Within Golden Bands, never made it to the book. I still feel the lack. After all, those who love my characters would enjoy these scenes as much as I do. They were written well, explained the inner workings of my character’s minds, and filled in some blanks. So why cut them?

In the first place, as fiction writers, we must draw readers in from the first word. It’s called beginning in media res, in the middle of the action. Begin too slow and lose the interest of readers, editors, and publishers. Start with the action. To know all the whys and how’s won’t make readers turn pages.

For example, my newlywed characters, believe they will never have children. Her diagnosis created turmoil in their dating relationship in Land of My Dreams. It’s no spoiler to say that she became pregnant. The back cover copy gives it away. I longed to share the honeymoon scene where their prayers for a child are answered. However, a sweet, sentimental scene doesn’t drive people to discover what happens next. I wrote it. Loved it. And cut it.

I wrote it. Loved it. And cut it. #amediting #writers #fiction Share on X

To Kill Your Darlings Moves the Story Forward

The second reason to slash scenes is a nasty element called word count. Every word matters. Each scene must move the story forward.

Readers wanted characters from the first book to return in the sequel. I relished a reunion. When my newly married lovebirds, filled with the joy of a miracle pregnancy, met her former fiancé sparks flew. Animosity leaped from the page. In the analysis, it satisfied me but pulled readers backward. My word count fell. I had more words to use where they counted the most.

Sometimes a glimpse into the past works. Save your cuts in a file. I sprinkled bits of my beloved scenes in where a little reminiscing fit well.

In conclusion, the key to a fast-paced story is to start with action, move it forward with every scene, and don’t look back too much. Be willing to kill your darlings to make a better book.

Start with action, move it forward with every scene, and don’t look back too much. Be willing to kill your darlings to make a better book. #books #amwriting #writingtips Share on X

About the author:

Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.