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| Katie Ganshert |
Avoiding Melodrama
by Katie Ganshert
I’m an overly dramatic first-drafter. I blame it on Donald Maass and his insistence upon high stakes. To be fair, I think I take his advice out of context.
Something I’ve learned from working with a brilliant editor?
More often than not, less is more.
Just like too much sugar upsets the stomach, too much drama can exhaust our readers. We run the risk of diluting the impact and poignancy of the drama that should matter. It’s sort of like those characters who are constantly crying. Somehow, the never-ending waterworks make for a less emotional reading experience.
Not to mention, too much drama can flush that all-important suspension of disbelief down the toilet, which is the very last thing we want to do as writers. There reaches a point where eyes stop watering and start rolling.
This is what I found myself doing as I revisited one of my old manuscripts. I had given my two leads back stories that were more tragic than they needed to be. Which led to my new rule of thumb.
When critiquing my work, I ask myself a very simple question:
Is this necessary?
Is this particular piece of drama or backstory or what-have-you vital to the story?
If I removed it, would the character’s motivations no longer make sense?
If yes, I leave it.
If no, I take it out. Lest my drama becomes melodrama.
Because of that question, I was able to alleviate some unnecessary tragedy from my hero and heroine’s past. And by doing so, have hopefully made this story one that is more emotionally engaging.
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Thanks for visiting, Katie! How about you, dear reader? How do you include high stakes/action/emotion without melodrama? Any secrets to share? ~ Annette
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Christy Award
finalist and Carol Award winner, Katie Ganshert, graduated from the University
of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade
teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born
and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her husband, their young son,
and their goofy black lab, Bubba. When she’s not busy writing or playing or
reading or snuggling, she is obsessing over the paperwork and the waiting that
comes with adoption. You can learn more about Katie and her books by visiting her website or author Facebook page.
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| An October Bride |
What
if the only way you could make your father’s last wish come true . . . was to
marry the man of your dreams?
Emma
Tate has just moved on from one fiancé, so when she announces a sudden
engagement to her lifelong buddy Jake Sawyer, every busybody in Mayfair goes
into high alert. Of course, no one but Jake and Emma know the real reason
they’re getting married—so Emma’s dying father will have a chance to walk her
down the aisle.
But
while Jake and Emma move forward with their plan—and frantically plan an
October wedding—it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications .
. . the biggest being their true feelings for each other.
With
dubious friends, deliriously thrilled parents, and a town that won’t keep its
nose out of their business, Emma and Jake will have a lot to contend with if
they’re going to pull this off.
The real question is: Who wants this wedding
more, Emma’s dad . . . or Emma?
