“Everything I’ve ever read of yours has glistened with your distinctive sparkle.” Probably more than 15 years ago and I think it was about the TV reviews I used to write rather than my fiction, but it’s stuck in my head ever since.
Hearing back from a friend and writer I admire, she went on about my dialogue and how it always made her feel like a) she knew these people, and b) she was actually in the room with them.
I had a teacher in a writing course comment about a piece I wrote with something like, "It shouldn't work but its working." It might not be the nicest thing anyone's ever said (though his tone was supportive), but it was impactful because it's encouraged me to follow my gut and go with what I think "works." As a recovering people pleaser I think about it often. At least sometimes, my personal style can click with people... so I try to stick to that all the time and make me happy first.
One of my beta readers said something similar. "It's definitely different from any fic I've read before, but I think that's what I like about it. I mean this following bit as a compliment but it's like you've taken something with all the potential of a crack!fic and gone nope I simply refuse to write it that way it will be a serious and well told story with an absurd concept and I kind of love that!"
Best one ever was on a fanfic story, a smaller chunk of a larger series. It ended with a bit of a twist, and someone commented, "I wanted to reach through the screen and strangle you at the end. When's the next part?"
Sorry all; long winded. (This is why Query letters and Synopsis’s are two evil words: it takes 500 words just to introduce myself!)
A little background. Back when I was actively writing; I was following author Jerry Jenkins’ advice and read the days work to my then husband and best friend,(we shared a house,[and apparently more….], and they were willing listeners.
Neither the husband or friend were good readers, he had less than an eighth grade education, and while she was a college graduate, her reading level was about ninth grade.
I’m reading a scene where the hero/heroine/and one of her friends, (the four ladies never left each other alone with the opposite sex), were preparing breakfast, and as I was reading I accidentally bummed my mouse and the screen moved about six pages, I popped off with, “Why you beotch!”
The friend’s mouth dropped open and she said, “Did you just call JM,(hero), a beotch?”
“No, I called the lap top a beotch, I bumped the mouse and now I’m about six pages down from where I was reading. Let me find my place.
Here’s the answer to today’s question: the hubs says, “Yeah, that just jerked me straight out the story. Here I was, actually in the kitchen with your characters, picturing them bustling around with my mouth watering, and bam-beotch shows up!”
To have a non reader be so in the scene that his mouth was watering over the food just made my heart flutter. M
I had a reader tell me they were on chapter 22 of 24 of a WIP and didn't want to finish it because it had become their comfort read before bed each night.
“Everything I’ve ever read of yours has glistened with your distinctive sparkle.” Probably more than 15 years ago and I think it was about the TV reviews I used to write rather than my fiction, but it’s stuck in my head ever since.
If you’re making reviews sparkle you know you’re good 😊
Hearing back from a friend and writer I admire, she went on about my dialogue and how it always made her feel like a) she knew these people, and b) she was actually in the room with them.
Realistic dialogue! You have mad skills ☺️
Thank you. I love writing dialogue too.
I had a teacher in a writing course comment about a piece I wrote with something like, "It shouldn't work but its working." It might not be the nicest thing anyone's ever said (though his tone was supportive), but it was impactful because it's encouraged me to follow my gut and go with what I think "works." As a recovering people pleaser I think about it often. At least sometimes, my personal style can click with people... so I try to stick to that all the time and make me happy first.
One of my beta readers said something similar. "It's definitely different from any fic I've read before, but I think that's what I like about it. I mean this following bit as a compliment but it's like you've taken something with all the potential of a crack!fic and gone nope I simply refuse to write it that way it will be a serious and well told story with an absurd concept and I kind of love that!"
Haha, love that!
Best one ever was on a fanfic story, a smaller chunk of a larger series. It ended with a bit of a twist, and someone commented, "I wanted to reach through the screen and strangle you at the end. When's the next part?"
Oh that is awesome 😆
Oh fanfic comments can be so great!
A reader wrote to me and said my work made them feel not alone, because I wrote what they thought and felt.
That's a great compliment.
What a great connection to make!
Sorry all; long winded. (This is why Query letters and Synopsis’s are two evil words: it takes 500 words just to introduce myself!)
A little background. Back when I was actively writing; I was following author Jerry Jenkins’ advice and read the days work to my then husband and best friend,(we shared a house,[and apparently more….], and they were willing listeners.
Neither the husband or friend were good readers, he had less than an eighth grade education, and while she was a college graduate, her reading level was about ninth grade.
I’m reading a scene where the hero/heroine/and one of her friends, (the four ladies never left each other alone with the opposite sex), were preparing breakfast, and as I was reading I accidentally bummed my mouse and the screen moved about six pages, I popped off with, “Why you beotch!”
The friend’s mouth dropped open and she said, “Did you just call JM,(hero), a beotch?”
“No, I called the lap top a beotch, I bumped the mouse and now I’m about six pages down from where I was reading. Let me find my place.
Here’s the answer to today’s question: the hubs says, “Yeah, that just jerked me straight out the story. Here I was, actually in the kitchen with your characters, picturing them bustling around with my mouth watering, and bam-beotch shows up!”
To have a non reader be so in the scene that his mouth was watering over the food just made my heart flutter. M
What does Lani call it? When you loose yourself in a story? That is peak!
Narrative transport 😊
I let my husband read the first chapter of my book (in progress) and he keeps asking me when he can read the second chapter.
You know it’s a good first chapter when they’re asking for more!
I had a reader tell me they were on chapter 22 of 24 of a WIP and didn't want to finish it because it had become their comfort read before bed each night.
Oh, that is wonderful.
Wow! A WIP! Too good!
Bittersweet. I like it because it covers sad to happy.
high praise!
Oh that is so hard to do! To write something bittersweet! That would have felt awesome to hear.
I love that!
One of my readers told me I'm her favorite author and she's got all of my books in e-book and paperback. It made my day.
Such a wonderful compliment.
Actions speaking as loud as the words! Your books are so good they are worth buying twice!
Wow, that's so sweet!
That is a fantastic compliment!