Tuesday's Inspiration ala Elizabeth Peters

I may be spending more than one time with this essay by Elizabeth Peters for it's about "suspending disbelief" an important thing for all writers to know. The essay was geared to "Gothic" novels or rather the modern ones but it's something all writers need to know and that's how to draw the reader into a plot, characters or a setting that is larger than life and one that could cause them to toss the book aside.
"the willing suspension of disbelief." It has been the goal of storytellers since the pre-literate dawn of time and of writers since fiction began." This calls for belief on the part of the reader but also on the writer.

Now for a bit on plot. "The more fantastic a plot the more important the factors that invite belief." I know I've read stories I've wanted to toss aside because I can't believe what I'm reading. Has nothing to do with factual or true for this is fiction. To make the reader believe, the writer must find a way to make the reader see the possibilities. The plot needs to be consistent and logical within the framework. Recently I had to read several books for a contest. Most of them led me through the plot with ease but there were a few that I found I could not buy the plot. There were things that didn't fit and constantly pulled me from the story.

Now I'm a plot oriented writer so making sure I'm consistent here is important and I'll pick at the threads until they're knit into a whole. The dropped stitches are woven in so there are no holes. Most of the time I succeed but there are times but that's for another day as I continue to explore this essay by Elizabeth Peters, a writer who brought me much enjoyment through her fictional world and the twists and turns of her plots.

Tuesday's Inspiration - Suspending Disbelief

Once again I've been delving into an old Writer's Handbook. Read an article by Elizabeth Peters about helping the reader suspend disbelief. This article was geared toward those who write mysteries and suspense but some of the ideas will be of use to everyone. We write fiction now fact and sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. We've all read the strange news story that makes us shake our heads and wonder how this can be possible. In fiction one has to make thse strange events seem logical.

Giving events the hint of plausibility is one way to do this. If the heroine or hero is going to take a step that seems dangerous the writer doesn't want the reader to think they are being stupid. The heroine exploring the basement after hearing a sound. The hero armed with a baseball bat going downstairs after the window breaks. The logical thing would be to hit 911 on the speed dial but that would change the story. Perhaps a cry for help is heard that triggers the response. Just find a way to make it seem logical.

After the story opens one must keep the plot tight. Rule out all coincidences. If your dharacter is going to overhear something make sure you establish that this character has a habit of listening in to other people's conversations in secret. Make the event seem part of the character. If your character is prone to rash action make sure this is shown as a usual thing not a one time event. If you are going to have secret passages make sure this is shown to be a possibility. A reader can believe this in an old castle but putting something like this in a modern house needs to be logical or another way to hide the information the character needs should be found.

So be consistent and make all your choices for the plot, the character and the setting seem logical by building and putting in the telling details.