Category: writing

Safe Haven: A NYT Best Selling Experiment

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

safe havenIt’s long past due for another NYT Best Selling review!

The reason they’re taking so long is because the books have a long wait list at my local library.

Go figure.

Okay, so let me recap how this works.

I choose a book from the NYT best sellers list and commit to reading the first fifty pages, after which, I vlog two reviews–a review for readers, and a review for writers.

The reader review is your standard review.

The writer review, however, is different. This is where I attempt to figure out how the book landed on the coveted NYT best seller’s list.

Let’s get started, shall we?

A Review for Readers:

Video Cliffs Notes:

  • This was my first attempt to read a Nicholas Sparks novel.
  • When Katie, a mysterious newcomer shows up in Southport, North Carolina, she catches the attention of a widower named Alex, who’s raising two young ones on his own. A romance ensues and secrets about Katie’s not-so-happy past are revealed.
  • I wasn’t enthralled, but the book did help me pass the time during some long flights home from Africa.
  • At page 150-something, I convinced my husband to watch the movie.
  • I wasn’t a fan of the movie, so I lost momentum with the book too.

A Review for Writers:

Video Cliffs Notes:

  • Craft books tell us to start our stories with a sense that all is not well. Sparks does this well.
  • Curiosity is an author’s best friend. Curious readers keep turning pages. –> Click to Tweet
  • Sparks gives us a sympathetic male lead.
  • Just when the story might start to lag, Sparks throws in an action scene that grabs our attention.
  • Know thy audience. Romance readers tend to like those small, southern town settings.

Verdict?

thumbs sideways

Okay, so I didn’t technically finish this book. But to be fair, it wasn’t Nicholas Sparks fault that I didn’t like the movie. I bet if I would have waited to watch it, I would have stuck this book out.

Next book in the NYT best-selling experiment?

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

Which also happens to be a movie.

Let’s Talk: Do movies influence whether or not you read a book?

Do Not Exhaust the Reader

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

less is moreI’m an overly dramatic first-drafter. I blame it on Donald Maass and his insistence upon high stakes. To be fair, I think I take his advice out of context.

Something I’ve learned from working with a brilliant editor?

More often than not, less is more.

Just like too much sugar upsets the stomach, too much drama can exhaust our readers. We run the risk of diluting the impact and poignancy of the drama that should matter. It’s sort of like those characters who are constantly crying. Somehow, the never-ending waterworks make for a less emotional reading experience.

Not to mention, too much drama can flush that all-important suspension of disbelief down the toilet, which is the very last thing we want to do as writers. There reaches a point where eyes stop watering and start rolling.

This is what I found myself doing as I revisited one of my old manuscripts.

I had given my two leads back stories that were more tragic than they needed to be.

Which led to my new rule of thumb.

When critiquing my work, I ask myself a very simple question:

Is this necessary?

Is this particular piece of drama or back story or what-have-you vital to the story?

If I removed it, would the character’s motivations no longer make sense?

If yes, I leave it.

If no, I take it out. Lest my drama becomes melodrama.

Because of that question, I was able to alleviate some unnecessary tragedy from my hero and heroine’s past. And by doing so, have hopefully made this story one that is more emotionally engaging.

Let’s Talk: What makes you roll your eyes when you read?

Pinterest Wars: It Is On!

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

easter eggsBattle One between myself and the talented, Becky Wade involves two simple ingredients: crayons and hard-boiled eggs.

Apparently, when the eggs are nice and hot and fresh out of the pot, you color on them with crayons and get something pretty like this picture.

Who’s going to join us?

We will post our disastrous inspiring results this Friday on Facebook and Pinterest. So if you haven’t already liked Becky’s Facebook page or mine, now’s a great time to do so. You can also join us on Pinterest by following Becky’s Pinterest Wars board or mine.

We’d love for you to join in the fun! In fact, for every battle you participate in, we’ll enter your name into a hat to win one of our books.

All you have to do is post a picture of your results on Facebook. Make sure to tag Becky and I in the picture so we can see it! Simple as that.

Who’s ready to get their craft on?

Let’s Talk: What’s your favorite Easter tradition?

Don’t miss the Wishing on Willows Facebook Extravaganza – a live video streaming event in celebration of my second book release, Wishing on Willows! I will be chatting with readers, there will be SIX awesome prize packages to win (click on the extravaganza link to check out some of the prizes), and two amazing guest authors – Becky Wade and Courtney Walsh. Make sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 19th from 6 – 7 pm, CST. Please click on this link to RSVP!

Check out this review of Wishing on Willows on Under God’s Mighty Hand!

I’m guest posting over on Lindsey Bell’s blog about single parenthood, which is a little ironic since I’m not a single parent. Still, I hope it encourages mom’s everywhere!