It's time once again to lift the covers on our beds of insecurity and reveal what monsters lurk underneath, gnashing their teeth. Or, if you'd rather, answer the following question:
How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?
Sometimes I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, watching as Toto runs over to that curtain and drags it back, revealing the "Wiz" pulling levers and punching buttons. I notice the author laying the groundwork for a conflict. I spot the romantic interest the moment that character is introduced. My mind leaps ahead of the narrative, guessing at what surprise twists are coming chapters before they unfold.
This can be annoying, or it can make me feel smart. Most of the time I'd rather get lost in the narrative and not identify the elements as they come into play. On the other hand, after years of working on my own stories, I recognize the beauty of great writing and relish it.
Thank you to Alex J. Cavanaugh for leading this wonderful group and to this month's co-hosts for all their hard work: Misha Gericke, LK Hill, Juneta Key, Christyand Joylene Buter!
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In order to spend more time visiting other blogs, I'll go ahead and post this a bit early this week. Do you have some accomplishments to celebrate? Pop on over to see Lexa Cain and join us for this Friday blog hop. Her co-hosts: L.G. Keltner and Tonya Drecker.
Image: Jason Hollinger
1. My younger daughter, a violin player, participated in a solo-fest last Saturday. Here's the deal. The kids learn and practice a solo and scales. They play these, along with a never-seen-before piece (a.k.a. sight-reading), in front of a judge, by themselves, with no parent or music teacher in the room. Then they get a score. Sounds terrifying to me, but she did great, earning a high score. She was the only one from her elementary school to participate and I am super proud. She's ten.
2. There's still some snow on the ground, like an inch maybe. But I want more!
Image: Zenspa1
3. I got a massage yesterday and had so many knots in my neck the therapist had to give up because of time limits. So that means I should go back, like, really soon, right? (Thanks, Mom, for the gift certificate--you rock!)
Okay, time to see how writing affects the reading habits of others. Do you or your kids play an instrument? Any snow where you live? Ever gotten a massage?
Congrats to your daughter!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, when an author can weave together the elements without me realizing there is any construction going on- that is a master of the word!
Great comparison to Dorothy and Toto!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love a good massage - aaaaah! Maybe you can get another gift certificate soon, like for Valentine's Day? :)
Go with smart.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter!
Congratulations to your daughter. That's awesome! I've never played an instrument and I regret never trying to learn one. Although given my lack of coordination I have a feeling I wouldn't have been all that successful LOL.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful news about your daughter.
ReplyDeleteI could use a good massage.
Congrats to your daughter. I played a few instruments in high school, and I know what a nerve-wracking experience something like that is. I'm so glad she did well!
ReplyDeleteAnd I often see the big twists coming in stories long before they're actually revealed. So I truly appreciate it when an author manages to keep me in the dark. :)
I'm the same. I don't think I'm conscious of it when I'm just reading by myself, but I've had to tell myself to shut up when watching TV with the family. I can usually guess where things are going and the fam gets frustrated bc I'm guessing "spoilers," lol. But I feel ya. Great post! 💖
ReplyDeleteI practise not talking while a stupid show is on. I stuff my mouth with nachos so I don't share my thoughts. LOL. Took me years to be that kind.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your daughter! I tend to see things coming, not just in books, but in TV shows and movies, too. Now I'm thinking it's probably because I'm a writer. :)
ReplyDeleteWe can see it all, can't we? My mind works ahead of the story, too, so not too many books can surprise me anymore.
ReplyDeleteFor your daughter: You go, girl!!!!
Congrats to your daughter! And yes, you should definitely get another massage! Those are the best :-) If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy ;-)
ReplyDeleteI swear I must be the weirdo writer who can turn off her inner writer when reading books.
ReplyDeleteNaw, I do it too. Unless the book is bad. Then I either stop, or turn on the inner critic and figure out why.
DeleteI'm so with you. Editing books and coaching writers has ruined my pleasure reading.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'd rather get lost in the narrative too.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter sounds very talented.
I'd definitely prefer getting lost in the narrative, but I can see what's happening from a mile away sometimes. The same goes for movies.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like getting lost in the story better too. Congrats to your daughter! And a massage sounds like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI still enjoy reading for pleasure, but I do notice "mistakes." If they aren't too bad I let it go. If the book just isn't my style I put it away.
ReplyDeleteI get regular messages. Love them! Congratulations to your daughter, quite an accomplishment. I used to play guitar, but not so much any more.
Yes, celebrate the small stuff! It may be the only way to stay sane. That, and massage. I need to call my friend who does massage...I'm a cheapskate who seldom indulges, but man, do I need one right now!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your daughter! You were smart to combine posts... I am playing catch-up since yesterday....
ReplyDeleteGreat news about your daughter. I see many more solo performances in her future.
ReplyDeleteI hate myself a little when I do the prediction/analysis thing, and so love it when twists keep me guessing. Of course, that's why I read, to be entertained, so when my inner critic gets slapped around by a really good story I'm ever so pleased.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your daughter. She is obviously creative in her own way.
How exciting for your daughter. She sounds like she's really talented!
ReplyDeleteI thought of that same metaphor of the Wizard of Oz! It's so true that we can see behind the curtain now. I vote we're smart. ;)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your daughter! Knowing music and preparing for competitions will serve her well for the rest of her life. Have a great weekend!
Yay to your daughter! And what a brave girl she must be. The massage sounds lovely too.
ReplyDeleteWow wtg your daughter! So your questions...
ReplyDeleteI play a little piano and my kids are learning piano and saxophone.
I live in New England, US so LOTS OF SNOW :)
LOVE MASSAGES.
I liked your Wizard of Oz metaphor.I can't help analysing the writing as I'm reading a book.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your talented daughter. We have had wind and rain, no snow. Lovely day today though.
Congratulations to your daughter. How exciting. I play the piano and remember the recitals, many years ago, that were fun. No snow here. We're having spring weather, temperatures in the 60s and 70s.
ReplyDeleteYou must be so proud of your daughter. My oldest is two and has just started to sing, so we'll see how that goes. And most of the time, I only notice the mechanics when stories rely too heavily on cliché. Otherwise, I'm all in and couldn't even tell you if the roof blew off. No snow where I am. In fact, we're having an unusually warm winter.
ReplyDeleteIt’s difficult for me to comment on writing affecting reading habits because I’m not a writer as such, I simply blog about the things I love (mostly books). I do pay more attention to the things I read now. Authors have my utmost respect, because although I love blogging and other blogs, I don’t find the writing part at all easy. :)
ReplyDeleteNo snow in our corner of the UK so far this year and none last year come to that.
I'd rather get lost in the narrative too. I've had to learn to do the breakdown.
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Belated Day!
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
My ex and I got a couples' massage our first Valentine's Day, and he had the chutzpah to upgrade his primary massage to deep tissue ($10 extra) shortly after it began, without bothering to ask me if I'd mind. We also got shiatsu foot massages. He gave me either a discount coupon or a free massage at another place near the end of our relationship, and I went for it after our relationship finally died its long-delayed death.
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