*****
You cannot HOPE to sweep someone else away
by the force of
your writing until it has been done to you.
(Stephen King)
I can’t tell you how many books I’ve read where I just
wanted to weep because I was so affected by the amazing story and its complex, memorable
characters. I can’t tell you how many times I wished I had written that novel,
not because it was a bestseller or won an award, but because it somehow worked
its way under my skin and settled in for the long haul. The power of a good
story is far-reaching and undeniable.
Amen! I return to my favorite characters over and over again.
ReplyDeleteIt's the connection through the written word...so powerful.
ReplyDeleteI love it when a book does that to me, just love it. That's really my only goal for my writing: move someone to feel something.
ReplyDeleteJL - it's like revisiting old friends.
ReplyDeleteRebecca - when it happens, it's truly amazing!
MJ - that's one of the reasons I write, too - to be able to give that experience, that connection to someone else.
For me, too, that's what it's all about--to give back to the reader some of the pleasure so many other authors have given to me.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
H is for Habits
The Daille-y News
This is so very true. Those are the stories I read again and again. I take away something new every time.
ReplyDeleteBarbara - I wonder what it's like to do that for readers on a large scale, like being a bestselling author and knowing thousands or millions of people are reading your words...
ReplyDeleteJai - those are also the stories that stay with us, in some degree or another, whether it's the story itself or the characters or the writing style.
I love this. It makes me so proud to be a storyteller.
ReplyDeleteThe first book that affected me like this was Charlotte's Web (I was really young).
ReplyDeleteNothing better than a book that can do this to you. :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you are saying! I have to take a bit of time inbetween (great) books to just let it all settle because they impact so deeply.
ReplyDeleteWonderful use of Hope today :)
Ilima - I never thought of it that way, of being proud to do what we do! Thank you for that insight! :)
ReplyDeleteMichael - I still love CHARLOTTE'S WEB. :)
Julie - you know it!
Lexie - taking that breather is so true. Any book that follows is going to be hard-pressed to deliver.
It sounds like you've read a lot of good books. There have been times when I read something and I would think, finally, someone gets it, someone gets me. As a writer, I would like to give someone the same kind of feeling through my work someday.
ReplyDeleteI so very much love to be swept away! And yes, I can think of a few stories that have gotten under my skin. Mm.. Love that feeling :)
ReplyDeleteHappy 2nd week!
AJ Lauer
#atozchallenge helper minion
Twitter: @ayjaylauer
Brooks' Shannara books did that to me as a teen, and Jurassic Park did that to me as an adult.
ReplyDeleteThis is what we are all aiming for. There is no formula unfortunately - sometimes the magic just happens!
ReplyDeleteCynthia - oh yes, I have! :)
ReplyDeleteAyjay - happy second week to you, too! :)
Alex - that you remember them makes them special.
Nick - I agree, it really is a form of magic.