A few years ago I bought a book for my husband called How to Read Literature Like A Professor. While I love genre fiction, he prefers literary fiction, and I thought this book would be right up his alley. (Apparently there is one for How to Read Novels, too.)
I read the book, and even gleaned useful information, such as this gem about eating:
"Writing a meal scene is so difficult, and so inherently uninteresting, that there really needs to be some compelling reason to include one in the story."
The author, Thomas C. Foster, goes on to describe a couple literary examples of meals described in books that tell much more than just the plain facts of what a character is eating. How characters eat around each other can be a way of showing how they feel about the other people in the scene. A character's description of the food (if you are using 1st person POV) can convey his or her feelings toward the meal or the companions.
The possibilities are myriad. But remember: if it's just about the food, you should probably cut it out.
As always with Tuesday Museday, I'm offering up query letter critiques! If you'd like a critique, please say so in the comments, and I'll select a few commenters to receive critiques. AND! If you are participating in #DVPit (10/5 and 10/6!) and would like your Twitter pitch critiqued, I'm happy to do a few of those, as well!
12 comments:
I would love a critique on my #DVPit twitter pitch. I have many twitter pitches for character, stakes, & When this, he must, or, but I really want the diversity of the characters to shine in this one. I have it ready (I think) Thanks
My email is tammy@gogibaud.com, twitter is TammyGibaud@journeyserie
I would love a critique on my MG DV pitch for tomorrow (& on my query too if possible). Finding the right 140 characters is a struggle and I'm afraid I'm getting lost on the wrong details. Thanks! Twitter: @karentoz
I just rewrote my query letter and cannot find a punchy enough ending. I would love a critique! Thanks!
Tammy and Karen, send me your Twitter pitches. Sandy, send your query letter. Everything goes to operationawesome6 at gmail, with my name somewhere in the subject line.
I still have room for Twitter pitches, so keep the comments coming!
Wow. I would love a query review.
Love a query review.
About eating scenes I have to disagree. Perhaps its just me, but I still remember the eating scenes from the books I read ages ago, starting with Enid Blytons.
I suppose like everything else, it depends on the reader.
Sorry Liz and Jackie, Sandy got the query critique spot. BUT I still have room for #DVPit pitches! Folks, continue to comment if you'd like a pitch critique. I have plenty of time tonight to get them done by tomorrow morning! But you have to COMMENT.
I'd love some help, if you've time. Do I just email you? Thanks, Sally
If you have a pitch for #DVpit, send it my way! Otherwise, there will be another Tuesday Museday in a few weeks.
I've a few pitches. Will email them to you. Thanks so much. Xx
Sad. but thanks. Good luck Sandy.
Post a Comment