Showing posts with label shocking storylines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shocking storylines. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Why readers love to be shocked? 🙀(Updated)

I'm sure there's a part of our brains that light up like a Christmas tree when we read something shocking. Let's talk about why. 

It's interesting how we're iffy about surprises in our everyday life, but we do love it in our entertainment. There's something about the unexpected that is alluring. I've often said that I'm sure there's a part of our brain lights up when something exciting or stunning happens to our favorite character (in books or television) that we never saw coming. That's entertainment.

When I'm writing a book, I tend to be very conscious of when the story starts to take a low point. It doesn't mean it's terrible to do so, but I don't like to have things go an even course for too long. My rule is if I'm feeling a little bored, so is my reader, and therefore, it's time to shake things up.

Shocks can come in many forms. It could be as simple as a character's comment or reaction to a situation or something more alarming, like violence, an impromptu sex scene, an argument, unexpected news, sudden death, illness, or when surprising characters show up. Of course, there are many other options, but the main idea is to add something that readers didn't see coming, and ideally, neither do you, as the writer.

Shocking twists keep the story alive. Readers want to be entertained, so entertain them.


Tuesday, September 11, 2018

How shocking!??!! 😱 (Updated)

We all love a good shock - well, in our books and movies, not so much in real life. There's nothing like a great twist in a story to keep the reader staying up late at night. The goal is to keep you interested, keep you turning the pages, and excited about the story ahead.

But it's not for shock value. That's a whole other thing. Contrary to what people have said, I don't choose topics only to be controversial. My goal is to follow the story and see where it takes me. As it turns out, my imagination takes me to some pretty wild places. I guess it works out well for both the writer and the reader! 😜

You can say many things about my writing, but you can't say you were bored. 

People want to be shocked. They want to be surprised. They want to be on the edge of their seat. Real-life is boring. Why should their entertainment be boring too?