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Get some Energy behind It!
Energy is Infectious
It is. You know when someone is inspired by what theyre doing. They light up. They glow. They radiate their enthusiasm. All metaphors for energy. It doesnt matter if youre talking to them face to face, or watching them on TV, you just know that theyre sharing their thing with you, whatever their thing is, because they really believe in it. And even if their thing isnt your thing, you cant help but feel their energy.
In the same way, you can tell when writers believe in their work. You can tell when theyre fired up and you can tell when theyre jaded. You sometimes find this towards the end of a book and if youve written one, you may have experienced this from both sides if the writer is tired and cant be bothered anymore, the plot sags, the characters wilt and the whole thing just runs out of steam. But if the writer has you energetically hooked from the start, then even if they do dip occasionally, youll forgive them.
You can unpack your new toaster, and sit back and admire it. Or you can plug it into the energy supply and make toast.
Think about what a book is a collection of symbols on a page or a screen. In and of themselves, they mean nothing. Assembled in some sort of sensible order, they impart information. But put some energy behind them, and they radiate your intention. Thats what readers pick up on. They know when the writer believes in it, and they know when they dont. Writing is more than literary eloquence - its the ability to stir emotions in another person separated from us by time and space. And if particles can do it, damn sure writers can. Full article on http://www.freeyourib.com/?page_id=308
Comments
'Fifty Slices Of Hot Buttered...'
That's a very good point, and so true - I'll have to remember that!
Plug in Toaster --> make toast (+/-butter) --> eat toast --> write bestseller.
Flawless.
:)
I plug mine in and make sparks. That's writing for ya.