tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post1236624856916663246..comments2024-03-08T20:57:25.380-08:00Comments on Julie Musil, Author: Dramatic vs. MelodramaticUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-20360746622303233532011-02-19T10:52:12.972-08:002011-02-19T10:52:12.972-08:00Well, I know it is in literary fashion to open wit...Well, I know it is in literary fashion to open with exploding vampires having a fight but I actually hate it. I want a book that gives me a glimpse of the character in regular first - I mean how do I know he doesn't explode every dang day, if thats what I get on the first page. <br /> Also, sex is like a date - please wait until at least the third chapter before doing it on paper. I hate watching people I don't know have nookie - wait I don't watch people I do know either - but what I mean is you have to have yourself in the characters place and page one is not it.<br />I also really don't like the middle of the book on page one, then I have to wait half the book to figure out what was up with that....have to go back and read misplaced literary fashion statement...now I am annoyed so I speed read the rest.<br /><br />Any of these things can work if done well on occasion, but I am tired of them being the new "standard". It's as dull and predictable as three pages of sunset.HowLynnTimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07888091432152130146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-20318387838155393902011-02-07T16:37:05.675-08:002011-02-07T16:37:05.675-08:00Hello fellow crusader, I go for an opening that of...Hello fellow crusader, I go for an opening that offers hints about the story's main theme.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900383840255608898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-23814372671059966362011-02-04T20:50:16.002-08:002011-02-04T20:50:16.002-08:00I prefer dramatic. I like an action scene early on...I prefer dramatic. I like an action scene early on, or an event that is out of the ordinary. My attention needs to be captured quickly, or else I .... look, a squirrel with a fuzzy tail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-48194022612068178862011-02-04T13:35:15.099-08:002011-02-04T13:35:15.099-08:00love that pic!! And loved the movie Thelma and Lou...love that pic!! And loved the movie Thelma and Louise. The story I'm working on now opens with a punch...hopefull it's more drama than melodramatic...sometimes I think I might be a little too intense....and have to tone things down.Nikki (Sarah)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13731200601840020130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-17192791166167442162011-02-04T04:51:29.199-08:002011-02-04T04:51:29.199-08:00Love the list of opening no-nos. Especially dream...Love the list of opening no-nos. Especially dreams! (The worst!)Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01681732058311386672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-66351949393645655482011-02-03T11:27:00.539-08:002011-02-03T11:27:00.539-08:00I lean towards dramatic vs. melodramatic because I...I lean towards dramatic vs. melodramatic because I need to get invested in the characters a bit before any big, melodramatic event has much meaning for me. He makes some interesting points.Angela C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13900955241397536110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-4099871611888224972011-02-03T02:23:41.712-08:002011-02-03T02:23:41.712-08:00Julie,
I think it depends on the story line if mel...Julie,<br />I think it depends on the story line if melodramatic is the right presentation...<br />I will have to read the book; sounds intriguing!Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12795817810030681267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-44870389195787821562011-02-02T19:49:29.588-08:002011-02-02T19:49:29.588-08:00OMg, Julie! I just finished reading this one too. ...OMg, Julie! I just finished reading this one too. It was a good read, and I recommend it definitely. <br /><br />Angela @ The Bookshelf MuseAngela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-56982848066510575602011-02-02T18:34:35.375-08:002011-02-02T18:34:35.375-08:00Great post, Julie, and thanks for linking to the l...Great post, Julie, and thanks for linking to the list of no-no's. I like to get to know the character in the first scene, and a bang-up action scene doesn't allow me to do that. I like to know the motivation of the character from the get-go. Long exposition makes me snore.Jennifer Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-19598527856272458762011-02-02T16:50:19.006-08:002011-02-02T16:50:19.006-08:00I loved the book. After cutting off my original ch...I loved the book. After cutting off my original chapter one, I studied his book like crazy. It was worth it in the end. :D<br /><br />I don't need drama. I need to love the voice and feel connected to the mc. But something does have to happen before the end of the chapter to keep me reading.Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-49083077354335254862011-02-02T15:10:06.637-08:002011-02-02T15:10:06.637-08:00The book sounds right up my alley! I don't ope...The book sounds right up my alley! I don't open with big bangs! My character is usually facing a dilemma--one that will be very difficult for her to make a decision about.Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-90295108315884762252011-02-02T13:10:57.725-08:002011-02-02T13:10:57.725-08:00As long as I can connect to the character through ...As long as I can connect to the character through internal thoughts, it doesn't matter to me if it's high action or not. But there needs to be something, or I will quickly put it down. It's usually voice that sucks me in.Laura Paulinghttp://www.laurapauling.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-66747344592483915012011-02-02T11:09:42.612-08:002011-02-02T11:09:42.612-08:00VERY interesting, and a good point. I don't li...VERY interesting, and a good point. I don't like my openings too active, because it throws me off. Too much in the middle of the scene, before I've had a chance to grow into the mood or feel of the writing/characters. It's all about finding that balance...Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-19848130719277934282011-02-02T10:29:42.142-08:002011-02-02T10:29:42.142-08:00i like quiet opening scenes with a shudder just be...i like quiet opening scenes with a shudder just beneath the surface. something looming, prescient. <br /><br />i never thought of the opening of thelma and louise in this way. one of my favorite films ;-)Amanda Summerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00942636545948440422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-79769311305673238912011-02-02T08:48:54.109-08:002011-02-02T08:48:54.109-08:00I am a huge fan of this book as well, Julie. His a...I am a huge fan of this book as well, Julie. His advice sticks to the synapses of my cranium; especially when I'm revising openings. Which is, purty much, all the time.<br />Thanks for the reconnect.<br />PattiPatti Strublehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13081918111862695306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-32240242040446359872011-02-02T08:38:37.813-08:002011-02-02T08:38:37.813-08:00Great points. And so true that conflict with chara...Great points. And so true that conflict with characters that are close in relationship is higher than a stranger with a gun. Readers connect with real life, I believe, and relationships are real for all of us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-79985528839835313602011-02-02T08:16:19.662-08:002011-02-02T08:16:19.662-08:00Nice post. I actually really like melodrama if the...Nice post. I actually really like melodrama if the whole STORY is a bit over the top (intentionally and for the sake of humor)--Think Tom Robbins... Sex, SO GOOD that it starts a stick, a sock and a can of beans on a mind-bending journey... But if I am going to take a story seriously, then drama is definitely better. Funny though... we are told we really have to grab readers on page one, and so we can't find an AGENT with subtle... it's easy to see how we get mixed up and overshoot when we try to write that gripping beginning.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-76747834222417823382011-02-02T07:37:20.126-08:002011-02-02T07:37:20.126-08:00Great advice! I think I like it when things build...Great advice! I think I like it when things build up slowly and then take off, and you're on the edge of your seat waiting to know what happens next.WritingNuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16326756274887055685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-51315036895577490792011-02-02T03:34:50.196-08:002011-02-02T03:34:50.196-08:00I just worked out recently that I prefer openings ...I just worked out recently that I prefer openings that are a little quieter (though not boring). Melodrama that comes too soon has less impact, because I'm not sure yet how much I care about the characters it's happening to!Amie Kaufmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15116472165351759477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-33997573208706522372011-02-01T16:48:51.216-08:002011-02-01T16:48:51.216-08:00Great advice. I enjoy getting to know the characte...Great advice. I enjoy getting to know the characters as soon as possible. Letting me in to their thoughts and feelings right away works for me :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-21800420861223036052011-02-01T16:34:47.855-08:002011-02-01T16:34:47.855-08:00I loved that book. Hooked really help me see the e...I loved that book. Hooked really help me see the error of my ways. His examples were so logical and easy to understand.<br />I tend to agree with starting off easy, but right in the middle of the inciting incident. I actually use his formula now before writing my stories--to determine what all the problems will be before diving in.PK HREZOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650153097981426833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-49200733757047260982011-02-01T16:31:27.410-08:002011-02-01T16:31:27.410-08:00I do love when emotions show more drama than some ...I do love when emotions show more drama than some exciting scene. Maybe that's why Stephen King really does it for me in that department. He brings everything to a slow boil then freaks the crud out of me!Alleged Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04869021184116123477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-13792759504542951402011-02-01T15:04:41.766-08:002011-02-01T15:04:41.766-08:00Julie, I just wanted to thank you for the shout-ou...Julie, I just wanted to thank you for the shout-out you gave my little blue book, Hooked. More, I'm delighted it's helped you a bit on your own writer's journey--that's the real reward for me.<br /><br />If you get a chance, please visit my blog at www.lesedgertononwriting.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Thanks, again!Les Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-19757823893028273862011-02-01T13:59:25.198-08:002011-02-01T13:59:25.198-08:00I love books that open with an important scene, th...I love books that open with an important scene, then works in back-story—after I’m interested.<br /><br />Could be a small problem or a loud boom, either way, it must set the tone for what’s to come.<br /><br />I don’t want a boom, if the rest of the book doesn’t live up to the first part.<br />It must have action and reaction (physical, emotional, or both)… that’s the only way I relate to a story.Jeff Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00667419764890599092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-25211651470538002182011-02-01T13:41:32.256-08:002011-02-01T13:41:32.256-08:00Very good advice, Julie :)Very good advice, Julie :)Just Wendy https://www.blogger.com/profile/05268645629027109282noreply@blogger.com