I love this commentary on one of the most challenging aspects of writing fiction, for me anyway. I feel I'm always doing a dance of stripping away and adding back in, trying to find that right balance of what to share with the reader, how much, and when.
A writer who recently read a draft of my novel wrote TTR in several places, which is how I learned the acronym for Trust the Reader. I definitely had recognized this teacherly tendency in my style, but now I'm much more on the lookout for it.
I have a handful of reasons (no investment/care for any character, gratuitous violence) that I DNF a book but I recently realized that there was a new reason: the author doesn't trust the reader. They spell everything out! They give away a character's motivations instead of offering me a chance to wonder about them. I feel a little disrespected as a reader when I'm handed everything on a silver platter. Could be my own baggage (lol) but it feels a little like they imagine I'm not quite smart enough to get what they're trying to do. Anyway, thanks for this food for thought, Jami!
Does being a paid subscriber to Craft Talk automatically make me a paid subscriber to the 1,000 Words of Summer newsletter? I can’t tell if I need to sign up for both. Thanks! Either way I’m looking forward to the Mini 1,000!
They are two separate newsletters! You don't need to pay to subscribe to the Mini 1000 though, it's free. It's only if you want to participate in the chat tonight.
"Books are meant to be read, experienced, tussled with, appreciated for their quality, their craftsmanship, their tone, their wisdom."
I love this so much, Jami.
I love this commentary on one of the most challenging aspects of writing fiction, for me anyway. I feel I'm always doing a dance of stripping away and adding back in, trying to find that right balance of what to share with the reader, how much, and when.
Thanks for this post, Jami.
A writer who recently read a draft of my novel wrote TTR in several places, which is how I learned the acronym for Trust the Reader. I definitely had recognized this teacherly tendency in my style, but now I'm much more on the lookout for it.
Enough said!
I have a handful of reasons (no investment/care for any character, gratuitous violence) that I DNF a book but I recently realized that there was a new reason: the author doesn't trust the reader. They spell everything out! They give away a character's motivations instead of offering me a chance to wonder about them. I feel a little disrespected as a reader when I'm handed everything on a silver platter. Could be my own baggage (lol) but it feels a little like they imagine I'm not quite smart enough to get what they're trying to do. Anyway, thanks for this food for thought, Jami!
Hi Jami,
Does being a paid subscriber to Craft Talk automatically make me a paid subscriber to the 1,000 Words of Summer newsletter? I can’t tell if I need to sign up for both. Thanks! Either way I’m looking forward to the Mini 1,000!
Jessie
They are two separate newsletters! You don't need to pay to subscribe to the Mini 1000 though, it's free. It's only if you want to participate in the chat tonight.
Thanks!