tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post3449849671717102812..comments2023-06-20T06:22:38.967-07:00Comments on Eileen Astels <em>-- Writing Faithful Romances To Grow With</em>: Introspection, How Much is Too Much?Eileen Astels Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post-32457516311132192702009-04-15T05:03:00.000-07:002009-04-15T05:03:00.000-07:00Cindy, I agree with the minimal italicized monolog...Cindy, I agree with the minimal italicized monologue. Everything I've studies warns writers to take it easy on this. <br /><br />Flashbacks and dreams scream for the creativity juices for me when I write them. Finding those slow, easy transitions that don't jar the reader are fun, but challenging.Eileen Astels Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post-22231246020796922362009-04-15T05:00:00.000-07:002009-04-15T05:00:00.000-07:00Katie, I think we work the same. I always aim for ...Katie, I think we work the same. I always aim for 5,000 more than my final draft count because I know I overdo in the first draft. I need this though to really get a feel for my characters. Lots of backstory gets deleted in the revisions for me, as well as introspection and insignificant scenes. <br /><br />It's fun to go wild with that first draft, though!Eileen Astels Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post-18397369587395533752009-04-15T04:58:00.000-07:002009-04-15T04:58:00.000-07:00Jeannie--Respecting Readers, that's such a key for...Jeannie--Respecting Readers, that's such a key for writers. Thanks for reminding me! Going on and on would definitely not be giving them a chance at all.Eileen Astels Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post-72785433992034127162009-04-14T20:32:00.000-07:002009-04-14T20:32:00.000-07:00I find I like to get into my character's head with...I find I like to get into my character's head with direct thoughts (the italicized kind) only briefly, and then summarize what's going through their mind with no more than two or three paragraphs. I find that when I'm reading, if it goes much beyond this without some sort of transition, I get bored. But when something bigger needs to be told, I like flashbacks or some kind of movement while the backstory is being told. Whether that the character walking around, enjoying nature or doing something mundane at home. Something to keep me aware of what is going on externally with the character. Interesting post!Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post-7404985383343492122009-04-14T15:01:00.000-07:002009-04-14T15:01:00.000-07:00I also love getting into my characters heads! So...I also love getting into my characters heads! So I have to be careful. I usually go to town on my first draft - introspect until my heart's content - and then do a TON of cutting for the second draft... and the third... and the fourth.Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post-2692532950740830192009-04-14T10:09:00.000-07:002009-04-14T10:09:00.000-07:00i'm realizing there is a fine balance, as well. i...i'm realizing there is a fine balance, as well. i wrote a post not too long ago on respecting readers. i realized i did too much introspective writing in hopes to get the reader on the same page (but my crit partner said that the reader isn't stupid...they ARE on the same page and i didn't have to just tell ALL...let them assume or wonder how the character feels or thinks in some places). so this is a hard one for me. but i appreciate you bringing this matter up....very relevant! :)Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post-16427872446154914392009-04-14T09:54:00.000-07:002009-04-14T09:54:00.000-07:00Isn't that the best, when you can "see" where they...Isn't that the best, when you can "see" where they are, what they're doing? That really does draw me into the story world.<br /><br />Right now I'm reading New Moon, and although there is a LOT of introspection in it, all Belle's, too, I'm finding Stephenie Meyers strategic placement of even minor actions and physicality are really helping me stay drawn into the story. She sometimes goes longer than a couple paragraphs, but her work is compelling.Eileen Astels Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post-63128747587033829112009-04-14T09:20:00.000-07:002009-04-14T09:20:00.000-07:00Hmmm, two paragraphs is good for me, and then I li...Hmmm, two paragraphs is good for me, and then I like to "see" where the character is physically. I guess I'm one to break the introspection up a little.<br />Great question!Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post-64001943071963657512009-04-14T07:56:00.000-07:002009-04-14T07:56:00.000-07:00Oh, Jody, I really like your connection with backs...Oh, Jody, I really like your connection with backstory. Very interesting, though, I must say I'm much tighter with backstory than I am with introspection.<br /><br />I suspect different genres weigh introspection differently, too. Romances probably include far more than any other genre, I suspect.Eileen Astels Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046333608458306911.post-41378572922752605712009-04-14T07:50:00.000-07:002009-04-14T07:50:00.000-07:00Eileen, EXCELLENT questions!!! I am really struggl...Eileen, EXCELLENT questions!!! I am really struggling with this whole aspect in my novels. I think the introspection can turn into a whole lot of showing our characters emotions and internal struggles rather than leaving it up to the readers to deduce what's going on.<br /><br />But there is a fine balance between sharing those struggles in short bursts that don't give away too much, and dumping all at once. <br /><br />I'm trying to keep mine short and weave it in, just like we're told to do with background info. But I'll be interested to hear how others handle this!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.com