I just finished an article on plot devices; the good, the bad, and the over-used. On the surface, it seems simple: Just tell the story. But as a writer, I don’t want my readers to be bored, feeling like they always know what is going to happen four chapters before it actually takes place. But then again, I like to throw enough hints out so that when the major plot twist takes place, you, dear reader aren’t left yelling “WHAT THE CRAP??? THAT MAKES NO SENSE!”
So I am left struggling to find a happy balance. All good stories have little hints along the way: dark and scary weather, a jealous sibling/friend/rival, a random conversation with a stranger, a MC in some unnamed danger, etc. So tell me, as a reader, what do you like to see, and what makes you roll you eyes and skip to chapter 16 where, surprise, the guy gets the girl?
I like books that--at their core--are mysteries. I like finding the clues and coming up with my own little theories. I'll finish even the most boring book in the world just to see if I'm right.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, there are some books out there who don't hide their clues very well. Sometimes it comes out in stilted dialogue or uncustomary description. Like if a writer is a minimalist when it comes to description and then, all of a sudden, goes into great detail about a lamp, then I know that lamp is important. And I tend to feel cheated. It's like bad cinematography in a "b" horror movie. When you see the camera focus on the partly open door, you KNOW someone is about to jump out at the MC. Kind of ruins the surprise.
Wow, I think I just went on a rant there. Sorry! :o
:)
Plotting is good! Yay for plotting!
All good points Emily. LOL Like you I have to finish the books, even if I don't necessarily like them, to see if I'm right and if I'm not **** I always think I should have been :)
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