tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post2229009157926117235..comments2023-09-06T05:48:05.398-06:00Comments on Terry's Place: Aiming for the HeartTerry Odellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-40003203167047715842011-06-24T13:08:05.908-06:002011-06-24T13:08:05.908-06:00Kaye, I'm inclined to think of tears and fear ...Kaye, I'm inclined to think of tears and fear first, but laughter is another sort of emotion--that nice feeling that comes when something makes you smile or chuckle. I love it, and the books I love take you through all of it.<br />Terry, I agree. Susan Wiggs can make me teary. And Jan Burke made me get up and double check the locks. <br />That's the way I like to read--when the writer draws you so far in, you share every flinch and whisper, every touch and ache.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-41000615624699238962011-06-23T22:57:35.725-06:002011-06-23T22:57:35.725-06:00I can't say I cry at things I write, but I do ...I can't say I cry at things I write, but I do mist up a bit. Some of my creepy things scare me a little. My favorite is when someone laughs at something I've written. I love to make people laugh!Kaye Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-65650269579626490162011-06-23T08:30:09.686-06:002011-06-23T08:30:09.686-06:00Ruby, sometimes it's like that for me too. All...Ruby, sometimes it's like that for me too. All the elements are there, but I don't connect with the main character. Those books usually slip away quickly. I'd rather read one a little less well done where I really fall for the characters. The emotional link makes the book for me.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-33737820338298915672011-06-23T07:38:25.211-06:002011-06-23T07:38:25.211-06:00Ellis:
I've read books with sad situations for...Ellis:<br />I've read books with sad situations for the character and didn't cry, and others where I was sad all afternoon. "You must take the reader inside the character's heart" is so so true. I read a book recently with all the elements of a bestseller,great plot, good pacing, good chemistry between the characters, but I couldn't identify or connect with the heroine who hopped into bed with the hero in every place imaginable just three months after her fiancee was killed. The fact that she cursed like sailor in speech and thought was very intrusive. They say the sign of a good book is when you can still remember the story in a month. I remember the story, but I didn't like the heroine, because I couldn't connect with her emotionally.Ruby Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01030839859107760855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-14550889742860930222011-06-22T12:28:56.329-06:002011-06-22T12:28:56.329-06:00Dear Milkmaid,
No, you aren't nuts--not unless...Dear Milkmaid,<br />No, you aren't nuts--not unless we all are! It's what most of us love about fiction, both reading and writing it. It's the ability to wring our hearts and let us share what the characters are experiencing, whether it's joy, sorrow, or fear--whatever, as long as we feel something.<br />Good luck with your writing. There are lots of good places online to get help and talk things over with other writers. If you need any links, let us know.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-17139719805762526932011-06-22T11:00:53.581-06:002011-06-22T11:00:53.581-06:00Thank you so much for this post. I am a new ficti...Thank you so much for this post. I am a new fiction writer in the middle of a gut-wrencher, and I was starting to think I was nuts because I write and I cry... Well, if that's a good thing - I'll just keep on and buy more Kleenex.Urban Milkmaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01669236770815247883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-27983327520098003342011-06-22T06:20:22.491-06:002011-06-22T06:20:22.491-06:00Ellis, my pleasure, and thanks so much for being m...Ellis, my pleasure, and thanks so much for being my guest. Susan Wiggs always makes me cry somewhere in her books--I learned not to use them as my workout reading at the Y -- too embarrassing to be on the elliptical with tears running down my face.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-72451566308745557892011-06-22T03:35:46.867-06:002011-06-22T03:35:46.867-06:00Are we a bunch of saps or what? I don't know, ...Are we a bunch of saps or what? I don't know, but it makes me smile that we can all get so emotionally involved in our reading and writing. It makes life richer and I believe gives us more depth as writers. I hope so, anyway. <br />I once opened one in a bookstore, and had tears running down my face by the second page. My husband shook his head and handed me his handkerchief. It was by Laura Kinsale, something about a mare dying. I'll have to dig up the name and read it again. Now I'd like to see how she did it.<br />Thank you all for your comments. It's been interesting. And, Terry--thanks so much for having me. I enjoyed it.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-45176392209606167032011-06-21T22:01:00.065-06:002011-06-21T22:01:00.065-06:00As a reader, I can tell you that I love it when yo...As a reader, I can tell you that I love it when you can make me laugh out loud or shiver or go yuck or cry my eyes out. And, as a reader, I appreciate what it takes for you to be able to evoke those kinds of responses from us. Thanks to all of you!!Karen Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01879661976460705463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-92065377245147090742011-06-21T19:35:22.359-06:002011-06-21T19:35:22.359-06:00I agree with you, Ellis--the more I am scared/sorr...I agree with you, Ellis--the more I am scared/sorrowful/joyous while writing, the more my readers tend to be. It's a great gauge. And being on such a roller coaster can be one of the most exciting things in the world. Thanks for the post--so nice to see Ellis on your blog, Terry!jenny milchmanhttp://suspenseyourdisbelief.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-7496410439129101522011-06-21T16:10:24.289-06:002011-06-21T16:10:24.289-06:00I think this is part of the art of being a writer....I think this is part of the art of being a writer. You take words and arrange them in such a way to evoke emotion in the readers. Of course I always say, if I don't cry, fall in love, etc, I don't expect the reader to. ; ) So yup, I've shed tears.Shawna Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12476399575493212858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-43723792431224679082011-06-21T15:14:19.745-06:002011-06-21T15:14:19.745-06:00Yes, Elizabeth. Just a few well-chosen words can b...Yes, Elizabeth. Just a few well-chosen words can bring it all home and make the character a real friend. I love those books. They're the ones I read many times.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-39261198244925145502011-06-21T15:11:53.374-06:002011-06-21T15:11:53.374-06:00Maryann, I agree--it's the emotional connectio...Maryann, I agree--it's the emotional connection that makes the book special. You have to care for it to stick with you.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-92197251860018503562011-06-21T14:31:55.242-06:002011-06-21T14:31:55.242-06:00As a reader, I love it when I get that connection ...As a reader, I love it when I get that connection with a character and feel her emotions. It always happens when there aren't too many words explaining the scene...when it's just barely sketched out.Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-9279593564297059082011-06-21T13:43:51.683-06:002011-06-21T13:43:51.683-06:00So true about the emotional connection. That is wh...So true about the emotional connection. That is what binds reader to story. I do have scenes in some of my books that make me cry or smile, and occasionally laugh out loud - on purpose.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-84164792099183314662011-06-21T09:10:59.814-06:002011-06-21T09:10:59.814-06:00Barbara, I’ll look forward to reading it—I’m sure ...Barbara, I’ll look forward to reading it—I’m sure it will bring tears to my eyes. You bring real feeling to your books.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-47339266205837078582011-06-21T09:10:04.369-06:002011-06-21T09:10:04.369-06:00Polly, I’ve read that scene, and it’s really touch...Polly, I’ve read that scene, and it’s really touching. Sad but beautiful. It's because I cared so much for the character.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-35930618966702128772011-06-21T08:10:57.234-06:002011-06-21T08:10:57.234-06:00Yes, me too. The ending of my latest historical ma...Yes, me too. The ending of my latest historical makes me tear up every time I read it. I too wonder what readers will think. Will they have a similar emotional response, or will they say it's the sappiest ending they've ever read? LOL.Barbara Monajemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06740868750916582900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-55808606026784507702011-06-21T07:49:22.480-06:002011-06-21T07:49:22.480-06:00The books that leave the most lasting impression a...The books that leave the most lasting impression are ones that make me cry, although crying over a story doesn't have to be because it's sad, i.e. someone dies at the end. It's usually because it touches me in some indefinable way. Those are the goodies because they make me feel and think. That's never bad.Maryn Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306180422032901064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-36226569020220081262011-06-21T07:28:52.891-06:002011-06-21T07:28:52.891-06:00Yes, yes, yes. I have one unsold book that makes m...Yes, yes, yes. I have one unsold book that makes me cry every time I read it. I know what's coming, and I still cry. I've tried to figure out why it always has the same effect and can't. I wonder if it is ever published whether others will react the same way. Great post, Ellis.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.com