In life, we may dread the unexpected. In story, we anticipate and delight in it. It keeps us on our toes, as readers. We're engaged, turning pages, wondering what's going to happen next. Funny thing, though: Writers who are living high drama in real time often avoid it on the page. So their writing feels safe, predictable, an easy ride--everything we want our lives to be.
Everything that writing shouldn't be.
How do you overcome the tendency to keep your characters safe, to tone down your plot, to avoid changing things up?
Posts
