tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post7300020716421382968..comments2023-08-16T07:15:32.801-04:00Comments on BookingIt: Set Your SceneJessica Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-82014189808060164612010-02-13T20:16:34.991-05:002010-02-13T20:16:34.991-05:00I find this really interesting, Jessica. I'd h...I find this really interesting, Jessica. I'd heard to grab the reader with action while giving tidbits to set the scene. I don't mind a little scene setting upfront, but more than a line or two and I'm onto the next book. I guess I'm too impatient!:(Eileen Astels Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-121866152163265392010-02-11T21:17:36.970-05:002010-02-11T21:17:36.970-05:00Linda, LOL! I have no clue. Maybe because it's...Linda, LOL! I have no clue. Maybe because it's part craft and part art? *sigh*<br />Thanks for stopping by my blog. :-)<br /><br />Dara, I did the same thing with going an opposite direction. Don't worry, the more you write the more likely you'll find the style that best suits your voice. :-)<br /><br />Haahaaa! Stephanie, you're right, of course. That last line cracked me up though!Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-22038988422329347542010-02-11T21:15:31.734-05:002010-02-11T21:15:31.734-05:00Thanks Anissa! I hope you find the right balance t...Thanks Anissa! I hope you find the right balance that works for you and your readers. :-)<br /><br />Steena, is it possible to have mental gray hairs? 'Cause I'm feeling you on that. Thanks for the award! I'm heading over.<br /><br />Penny, I know what you mean! I don't need tons of description, but I do like to know where the conversation is taking place. LOL At the same time, I'm guilty of not fleshing out my scenes enough.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-77720642330951804812010-02-11T16:20:57.898-05:002010-02-11T16:20:57.898-05:00Too much description definitely bothers me. There&...Too much description definitely bothers me. There's a line. I think it's important to work the descriptions in with the action...gradually revealing things, rather than throwing three pages in at the beginning of how the trees are blowing in the wind and how blue the sky is.Stephanie Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10461865229341760836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-47713768456407528042010-02-11T15:04:56.899-05:002010-02-11T15:04:56.899-05:00I like to be grounded in the world. Sometimes it&#...I like to be grounded in the world. Sometimes it's hard for me though to balance putting enough description or too much. Early on in my critique group(and this was only like two years ago) I was told I had too much purple prose. :P Now I'm afraid I've gone the complete opposite and need to find a happy medium.Darahttp://inthewritemind.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-22703856865760378192010-02-11T12:23:06.702-05:002010-02-11T12:23:06.702-05:00Every good work needs just the right amount of des...Every good work needs just the right amount of description and conflict and action and dialog and narrative and backstory - and it all needs to be placed correctly. It's so basic and logical, writing 101, right? So, then, why are there times when it's so hard? LindaLinda Lee Foltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08741200066931931341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-34829636904238245182010-02-10T23:20:15.294-05:002010-02-10T23:20:15.294-05:00I go off a deep end with descriptions and always h...I go off a deep end with descriptions and always have to go back and cut lots of stuff out. I get all caught up in metaphors and the like.<br />I don't like too much-like 'Moby Dick'-that had too much...I remember reading a 2 page description of a wooden bench with carvings...but I also think that description can mystify a reader and make them long to be in a scene and such. <br /><br />..now I've gone off on a tangent...<br />back on track! <br />I do think scenes HAVE to be fully formed. I encountered problems with short stories where I felt like I was standing in a room with characters, but there were giant holes all around me because of the lack of description. I don't like that. I need to be able to see the settings in my head, and place the characters within the setting like chess pieces or I get confused! :)Pen Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18443147029903410419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-64243233380506583582010-02-10T22:44:06.959-05:002010-02-10T22:44:06.959-05:00I've been struggling with this exact concept r...I've been struggling with this exact concept right now for my first page. AUGH. You should see the added grey hair I have now!<br /><br />Oh - and I just awarded you for an award on my blog :)Steena Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03585255306121495098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-39170603969835451522010-02-10T21:13:48.116-05:002010-02-10T21:13:48.116-05:00I've gone back and forth on this in my current...I've gone back and forth on this in my current WIP. It starts with action, and has gotten great feedback, but part of me want to introduce the scene (and character) a bit first. Nice post!Anissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02773384041569563564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-18399269273130990082010-02-10T20:17:49.794-05:002010-02-10T20:17:49.794-05:00I try to. I love descriptions! That's my favor...I try to. I love descriptions! That's my favorite part to write!Kristen Torres-Torohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903038121623389560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-2819246248826239152010-02-10T18:17:09.067-05:002010-02-10T18:17:09.067-05:00Yep, a challenge is right. I love hearing everyone...Yep, a challenge is right. I love hearing everyone's take on this!Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-8996759534543741242010-02-10T16:57:03.828-05:002010-02-10T16:57:03.828-05:00I LOVE to have the scene nailed down b/c I'm m...I LOVE to have the scene nailed down b/c I'm more of a visual person. But every reader takes a different approach. Makes it a challenge, doesn't it????<br /><br />Pattipattihttp://www.pattilacy.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-60573843757368968212010-02-10T16:01:46.857-05:002010-02-10T16:01:46.857-05:00Great advice! I love description, for my part, and...Great advice! I love description, for my part, and sometimes I go overboard. But I think scene setting is an absolute must. As a reader I love to know where I "am."Julie Daohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13814052162359300933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-71263649389825897332010-02-10T15:18:38.922-05:002010-02-10T15:18:38.922-05:00I like to start with a single thought in the hero/...I like to start with a single thought in the hero/heroine's head. Then orient them for a few sentences. This draws the reader in and gives the illusion of action. :)<br /><br />Cheers, NanceNancy J. Parrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10107417252662717576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-25501508547835590762010-02-10T13:31:37.828-05:002010-02-10T13:31:37.828-05:00While I like to "see" where the characte...While I like to "see" where the characters and action take place, I get bored with excessive setting. <br /><br />Authors who set their scenes in the midst of action or dialogue hold my interest. If I come to a solid block of setting, I tend to skim over it. It's like looking at a stage with scenery minus the actors.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-69954608519983769872010-02-10T12:44:28.461-05:002010-02-10T12:44:28.461-05:00I think there has to be a balance between scene se...I think there has to be a balance between scene setting and action. You have to give a reader a reason to care about where the character is, right?<br /><br />Great topic !Katie Salidashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15159923761047042193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-41087069738380516292010-02-10T12:32:48.048-05:002010-02-10T12:32:48.048-05:00This is just a prime example of how subjective wri...This is just a prime example of how subjective writing/editing/reading is. I don't mind action or description. I'll go with an author if they can use their words to enchant me.Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-90899245271886058872010-02-10T12:05:57.260-05:002010-02-10T12:05:57.260-05:00I had to smile. My copy editor pointed out how, in...I had to smile. My copy editor pointed out how, in my last book, I was opening my scenes all the same way, with some reference to how much time had passed since the last scene. <br /><br />The next day...<br />An hour later...<br />Meanwhile, back at the ranch...<br /><br />Oy! <br /><br />Funny how I couldn't see it at all in my own edits, but once he pointed it out, it was hilarious.<br /><br />I like a bit of scene setting, but obviously, a little goes a long way!Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772984806574666959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-44747378505026882352010-02-10T11:57:39.286-05:002010-02-10T11:57:39.286-05:00LOL T. Anne! Introspection can be a real killer. I...LOL T. Anne! Introspection can be a real killer. I guess you just have to figure out what best suits the tone and purpose of your scenes. :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-8931065156712535562010-02-10T11:56:35.131-05:002010-02-10T11:56:35.131-05:00Jody, you're right. It is a tricky balance, fo...Jody, you're right. It is a tricky balance, for sure. Grounding the reader, that's a good phrase I'd forgotten.<br /><br />Me too, Natalie.<br /><br />Jennifer, your book seemed great to me. If there's a line or two and everything is balanced, then I think the reader mentally fills in the blanks and doesn't even notice.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-52698228809669675692010-02-10T11:54:40.866-05:002010-02-10T11:54:40.866-05:00Donna, I don't even know if I've read a bo...Donna, I don't even know if I've read a book with tons of description for a long, long time. There's a bestselling author who I never read because he's SO detailed that I just get lost.<br /><br />Jill, it's wonderful you've improved. :-)<br /><br />Angie, you enjoy literary fiction? *grin* Most plots make me so sad, but I LOVE literary writing. It's beautiful and if the description is lovely, I'll read just for that.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-7593657160870804122010-02-10T11:52:17.857-05:002010-02-10T11:52:17.857-05:00Too much description in books does bother me. I...Too much description in books does bother me. I've been guilty of this and desperately need to inoculate myself from this practice. I've heard too much introspection isn't good either. Looks like I'm in big trouble. ;)Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-66763118442751780092010-02-10T11:51:47.113-05:002010-02-10T11:51:47.113-05:00That's called perseverance, Jessie! Very aweso...That's called perseverance, Jessie! Very awesome of you. :-)<br /><br />Linda, who ripped you? LOL Everyone has their style and even when you set the scene, there's still a suspense feel. <br /><br />Patti, I completely agree.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-77369852642975585632010-02-10T11:51:07.363-05:002010-02-10T11:51:07.363-05:00I confess, I do skip over a lot of descritpion whe...I confess, I do skip over a lot of descritpion when reading. I find I'm kind of thin on description in my own writing as a result. But it's something I need to work on a bit more. If I could, I'd have my characters conduct all their scenes in a box. LOL! Not good.Jennifer Shirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16970585847385511795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-65100893656205037832010-02-10T11:29:25.829-05:002010-02-10T11:29:25.829-05:00It took me 5 beginnings, but I finally wrote one t...It took me 5 beginnings, but I finally wrote one that works for my book and it does set the scene. So yea! I did it right.Jessie Oliveroshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232456334069794107noreply@blogger.com