 | 18 Nov 08 |
I’ve been having a particularly difficult time with the book I’m writing. The sad truth is I always have a difficult time with the book I’m writing because writing is hard. Horrifically, impossibly, sweat-and-tear-inducing hard. When I’m having a particularly tough time like this, I tend to ask myself that soul-searching question that plagues so many of us:
Why, in God’s name, did I give up a perfectly good job in public relations and choose this career that forces me to sit by myself in front of a computer, solving puzzles that I make up, wrestling with fictional characters, and praying that the next scene is the right one for the book? On deadline, no less?
Because, I tell myself as I thrash around, sleep-deprived and miserable, I love to write.
And then I have to look in the mirror and face the truth: I hate to write. But I do love to tell stories, and that’s why this is my job. From the time I learned that I could write a tale that would be passed around the eighth grade and loved by every girl in the class, I wanted to tell stories of romance and danger. When my children were toddlers, I’d just as often ditch the book, rock them in the dark, and create my own adventures (starring them, of course) to put them to sleep. Not that mine were better than GOODNIGHT MOON, but I enjoyed the bedtime ritual more when I controlled the outcome. (But I learned that my stories tended to get them riled up and involved, when I wanted them to go to sleep! So I went back to GOODNIGHT MOON when I really wanted some rest.) So when I have trouble with a book, I try to get back to that pure storytelling joy, and remember that this job is really all about the characters, their journey, the story — and that’s why I worked for nothing and slaved for hours and endured countless confidence-crushing rejections to be a writer. Because I am a storyteller.
Quite simply, the difference between incredible books that can’t be put down for love or money and ones that you forget five minutes after you read them is the storytelling, not the writing.
So what is the difference between “writing” and “storytelling?”
Anyone can write, I contend. All right, not everyone. But a lot of people can. Then why are they not all getting contracts, selling books, and enjoying weeks on the best seller lists? Because not everyone can tell a good story. And, here’s the stunner that it took me a long time to accept — many storytellers are not particularly good writers. Let’s take for example…an over-the-top successful bestseller with the initials S.M, who has penned a wildly popular YA/Vampire series that is opening as a movie this weekend and is the source of a groundswell of tween angst and excitement. Not a particularly fabulous technical writer, but, oh, don’t knock the woman’s storytelling capabilities. Say what you will about TWILIGHT, about the book’s message to young women or its amazing appeal. I won’t comment on the writing, the concept, the subtext, the fact that I just bought a copy for my eleven-year-old daughter because it is the book to read and I completely understand wanting to be part of the in crowd. (Different blog, entirely.) Out of curiosity several months ago, I read TWILIGHT. And I will say this about that: the woman can tell a story. I couldn’t put the book down, from word one to the end, I was captivated. Was it perfect? Did I agree with her character’s choices? Did I love every word written? Absolutely not, but it didn’t matter, and that’s why the book, and the whole series, is a phenomenon.
When I have trouble with a book I’m writing, I tend to focus on the writing. Why is this scene slow? What’s wrong with that line? Who is this character and what is he doing in this book? Did I start at the right place, set up the plot correctly, use the right dialogue?
All of that is writing, and while it’s important, that’s not what makes a book unforgettable. It’s not the “rules” of writing we learn that makes good storytelling, not “show don’t tell” and “come in late and get out early” or “don’t use adverbs and watch the tags.” What makes an extraordinary story is how effectively and furiously (speaking of adverbs) the author can push the envelope in every single scene to astound the reader, how she can twist a premise and make it compelling and original, yet still universal. What makes a good story is the singular and enchanting character traits, the pace that keeps the pages turning, the viciously taut tension between two people who should never, ever be together but must find a way to share eternity.
When I’m struggling, I go back to the basics of storytelling: character, conflict, twists, and tension. It’s not about the writing — that’s merely the tool. Storytelling was an art long before a pen and paper were invented, and will be around when we’ve gone from the computer to something we’ve never even imagined. Humans need stories, they don’t need writing.
What makes a good story for you?
© 2008 – 2009, Roxanne St. Claire. All rights reserved.
Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times bestselling, RITA-Award winning author of nearly thirty novels of romance and suspense. The author of two popular romantic suspense series, The Bullet Catchers and The Guardian Angelinos, Roxanne is hard at work on new books for 2012, which will include the launch of a contemporary series, Barefoot Bay, and her first young adult novel, Don't You Wish, and a brand new stand-alone romantic suspense, Space in His Heart. A five-time RITA nominee, Roxanne's books have won the National Readers Choice Award, the Daphne Du Maurier Award, the Maggie Award, the Booksellers Best, the Book Buyers Best, The HOLT Medallion, multiple Awards of Excellence, and Borders "Top Pick"" for Romance in 2007. She lives in Florida with her husband, two teenagers, and one impossibly cute Australian Terrier named Pepper.
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Characters. Characters. Characters. Plot. Unpredictability. Characters. Good writing. Characters.
(Oh, and I sent you a few new pix from our trip to Colorado. Just got back late last night, so I’m WAY behiind. Will have to try to catch up on blogs, etc.
by Terry Odell November 18th, 2008 at 5:52 amSo very, very true! The writing is just the tool. Personally I’m at that “Horrifically, impossibly, sweat-and-tear-inducing hard” stage *sigh*
by Wendy Roberts November 18th, 2008 at 6:42 amCan I just say I heart you, Rocki? I needed this right now. Wrestling with my second Presents and wondering why on earth I ever thought I could make it in this business. Before selling, it was easy because I didn’t have to work on the book if I didn’t want to. Now, I have to do it. And it’s like pushing a boulder up a hill. And when this one is written, just like Sisyphus, I’ll have to do it again.
When I’m reading, what makes a good story is what Kate Walker calls PTQ (page-turning quality). I do admit to loving beautiful sentences, too. But that’s probably just the weird English major side of me coming out.
by Lynn Raye Harris November 18th, 2008 at 6:48 amI heart you right back, Miss Lynn Raye Harris. The sophomore slump is no laughing matter. But you will get through that second book (and about twenty more, I predict) because you are a storyteller, or you wouldn’t have landed on the Presents radar front and center! My advice? Don’t think about the first one. Don’t get caught up in “I’ll never do it again! It was a fluke!” because that is a slippery slope and you’ll hurt yourself going down it! Tell the story, and the beautiful sentences will magically appear. Or you will edit them in after the story is told!
by Roxanne St. Claire November 18th, 2008 at 7:00 amI like “unpredictability” in that list, Terry. Good add! And thanks for the grandchild pix – he’s gorgeous!!
by Roxanne St. Claire November 18th, 2008 at 7:01 amWendy, the “sweat-and-tear inducing stage” is, sadly, the longest part of the book for me!
Now, I’m off to get my own gravatar! I want one!
by Roxanne St. Claire November 18th, 2008 at 7:02 amI hate writing too. There, I said it. I love storytelling and I love editing. I’m most fond of my work when it’s on the page, waiting to be whipped into shape.
What makes a good story? Characters I emphasize with. Or should I say, characters with whom I emphasize. Jeez louise, can you tell I used to teach English?
by Kristen November 18th, 2008 at 8:44 amI’m participating in NaNoWriMo right now and have written 27873 words in 17 days. That’s more than I’ve ever written on one story in my LIFE. Right now I hate the book but I can’t give up. I want to kill off the hero and heroine, but I want to see them through to the happy ending. I feel like neither a writer or a storyteller, but if not, why have I pushed my poor, old body beyond the limits with a couple of writing sessions going to 4 AM just to produce 1300 measly words?
I guess deep down I must love it cause right now it ain’t fun. Waaaahhhhhhhh.
Okay, whine over. I love good characters too. There are several books I can think of where I can’t remember spit about the plot, but I remember how the hero made my blood pressure go up.
Back to the grindstone… er… fun.
by Marilyn November 18th, 2008 at 8:55 amGreat and true post, Rocki.
I love writing for about five minutes of a day’s work, then hate it, and wonder if they give awards for the worst author of the year.
But I love editing, I love character. I love when all the pieces come together. I love bringing life into “story.” I love holding the printed book in my hands.
Rachel
by Rachel Hauck November 18th, 2008 at 9:03 amI have never hated writing until I started writing under deadline. Funny how the time ticking away can turn loving into loathing.
I’ll forgive bad writing and sometimes even a bad story for good characters.
by Mel Francis November 18th, 2008 at 9:07 amRocki, you are so dead on!
Here’s my confession: I don’t get the value of beautiful prose just for itself. If the prose isn’t hitting a nerve with me, if it isn’t connecting me to either a fictional character, or the narrator, then why am I reading it?
by Jen Lyon November 18th, 2008 at 9:11 amHmmm…I’m perplexed by this because I don’t hate to write. I love sitting down and typing like there’s no tomorrow. I love watching the thoughts become real on the page and seeing my characters come to life and take over. I think it’s probably because I can’t start writing until I have the whole story in my head like a movie and then, to me, the writing part is a lot like the job of a transcriber…getting the images, thoughts, dialogue, and action out of my head.
The part I hate is waiting for that whole story to come together from opening music to closing credits. I get frustrated when I know what needs to happen in the middle or even how it’s supposed to end, but there are days, weeks, hours, sleeplessness, distractions in meetings at work, etc., where I’m trying to figure out how to get from A to B to C.
Once it clicks, though…keyboard beware ’cause I’ll be pounding you!! LOLOL!!
Hugs Rocki!!! = )
by Marley Gibson November 18th, 2008 at 9:11 amI’m sorry, Rachel, but you won’t be winning worst author of the year. But there sure are those days when we all want to enter that contest, just because we know it’s a lock!
by Roxanne St. Claire November 18th, 2008 at 9:14 amMarilyn, you are a machine! You’re getting the hardest part out of the way, then you can go edit and refine for months! Sheer bliss to me!
Marley, you are my idol. For me, the “working out the story part” doesn’t happen ahead of time, it happens real time. And that’s why it can be so painful. The way you write is enviable, I tell ya.
So true, Jen. I know when I’ve hit my own nerve with writing – they are the best writing days of all.
by Roxanne St. Claire November 18th, 2008 at 9:16 amCharacters / conflict and an inside look into the characters’ world draw me in. I like Terry’s “unpredictability” as well.
I like the writing part. I even really like the editing part. What I hate is the re-reading-and-discovering-somebody-came-along-and-wrote-BUTTLOADS OF CRAP-part when this dream in my head had been SO CLEAR and SO GOOD and how did all of those awkward phrasings and poor word choices and confusing passages get IN there? When I find that person, I’m gonna smack ‘em.
by toni mcgee causey November 18th, 2008 at 9:52 amOnce again, just what I needed to hear! Back to the WIP….
by Lynn Raye Harris November 18th, 2008 at 10:00 amI love characters. Give me characters I can care about and I will follow the story anywhere. Through typos, implausible situations, and trite misunderstandings. But, I must cheer for your hero and heroine to save the day, each other, and vanquish the baddie. Good lovemaking helps too. LOL
by Amanda November 18th, 2008 at 10:41 amOh God Rocki, I needed to hear this now as I struggle with the writing. Writing is hard work. And sometimes, especially when I’m worried about creating a book as good as the last (and fear that it’s going to be worse) I focus too much on the writing and not enough on the storytelling. Thank you!!!!!
by Allison Brennan November 18th, 2008 at 10:55 amI just wrapped up a very rough version of MASTER OF CRAVING in the wee hours of this a.m. I struggled with the last third, and I realized it wasn’t the story part I struggled with it was the writing part. Finally somewhere between the hero and heroine defying all to be together and the love scene of all love scenes I had one of those I could have had a V-8 moments. Screw the writing I’m going to finish telling this story!
I have always considered myself a storyteller, not a writer.
by Karin Tabke November 18th, 2008 at 12:00 pmWhat a great blog today, Rocki. Words of wisdom sorely needed. Sometimes the “writing” absolutely freezes me because I am so afraid of it not being good enough. Then the storyteller emerges and I’m on my way again.
And I agree 100% about the S.M. books. I read the first one last weekend out of curiousity and couldn’t put it down. Most beautiful prose I’ve ever read, not particularly. But those characters, so real and suspenseful they squeezed my heart. She deserves the accolades she is getting.
by diane burke November 18th, 2008 at 12:15 pmIt’s like you read my mind, Rocki. Great post today.
I’m currently in the middle of a what-was-I-thinking tirade over my career choice in writing.
Sure I want to tell a story. It’s my very favorite part…but am I doing a good job?
I don’t know.
Some days I think so. Others not.
As for today…I think I’ll have a generous portion of sweet tea vodka and keep plodding along.
by Lara Santiago November 18th, 2008 at 12:17 pmLara
I’m getting a lot of “what I needed to hear” on the comments and in my private emails! Happy to have hit a hot spot, but why oh why does it have to be so difficult to tell a good story? I guess if it were easy, everyone would do it! Lara, author of the phenom MENAGERIE, don’t you ever doubt your talent.
Congrats on finishing CRAVING, Karin. I know the “rough cut” isn’t really “the end” but it does mean you’ve solved the puzzle and have a big picture. If you’re anything like I am, now the fun stuff starts!
Toni, you crack me up. (Which means you are doing your job, funny lady.) I know that feeling of thinking “Oh, I nailed this scene!” and then reading it the next day, scratching your head, and thinking, “Who wrote this garbage and what was she smoking?”
by Roxanne St. Claire November 18th, 2008 at 12:23 pmEveryone knows that as soon as you shut off your computer (or even close a document) the gremlins come out and play.
(And Rocki, such good timing on Good Night Moon. Having spent 4 days with the grandbaby, I could still read the book almost verbatim without looking at the pages — that’s a memory over 30 years old, and why can’t I remember the day to day stuff?)
by Terry Odell November 18th, 2008 at 12:27 pmGreat post, Rocki
For me, it’s all about the characters. I remember reading both “The Great Gatsby” and “Catcher in the Rye” in high school. I hated GG, while I loved Catcher in the Rye. A few summers ago I took both novels to the beach and reread them. It was obvious that Fitzgerald was a genius. Every sentence in GG is a like a work of art. But I hate the characters. I hate Daisy and I think Gatsby is an idiot, so in the end, the book leaves me cold.
On the other hand, I loved Holden in Catcher. Even as an adult, his teenage angst holds me spellbound and I can’t put the book down.
by Maria Geraci November 18th, 2008 at 12:27 pmPassion! Not the romantic kind, but the storyteller’s passion for their story. It comes through and makes the magic happen for me.
This even applies to shows on the Discovery Channel. When the expert speaking is clearly passionate about their subject, it rivets me.
by S.J. Day November 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pmYou ask tough questions! What makes a story good for me? To use a screenwriter term, I like reversals. Not precisely the same as a plot twist, but generally, that’s it. Every scene turns on them, even if they’re small and subtle. That’s what keeps me turning the pages, as a reader.
by Louisa Edwards November 18th, 2008 at 3:38 pmOh, Louisa! I want more. Tell us about reversals! Do I hear a guest blog coming on?
SJ – Passion is your middle name.
by Roxanne St. Claire November 18th, 2008 at 4:06 pmWhat a great post, Rocki! It is so about the storytelling!
by Debra Webb November 19th, 2008 at 5:23 amGreat post. Answer for me…. Believability and characters.
by Cele November 19th, 2008 at 8:47 am