 Drama: August 28, 2013 Issue [#5858] |
  Drama
This week: Easygoing Drama - Is It Possible? Edited by: Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline  
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Drama is a wonderful genre. The reader experiences the characters' ups and downs, tagging along on an emotional journey.
Sometimes, though, this journey can be too emotional. Especially when you just want an easy read.
This week's Drama Newsletter is all about finding a suitable balance.
kittiara |
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I don't know about you, but sometimes I like to curl up with a novel that doesn't tax me too much. After a busy day, or during one of the tougher times in my life, an easygoing read can offer some reassurance. I don't always want to think too much, or feel increasingly drained the more pages I turn. I simply want to experience the characters' lives and, when I get to the end of the story, it better be a happy one!
That is not to say that I always want a straightforward, predictable novel. Far from it. It's just that there is a time and a place, and what I feel like reading depends on my mood and my mindset. I know that I could, when I want something easy, choose something outside of the drama genre, and often I do. Sometimes, though, fictional ups and downs are what's required, and what matters is the degree of drama that I am willing to expose myself to.
When that is the case, there are authors I tend to avoid. The ones who write hard-hitting stories with hardly any relief for the heroes and heroines. The ending may be happy, but the journey it takes to get there is harsh and unforgiving.
Gentler drama, in my experience, is actually quite tricky to find. I can turn to the classics, but there are only so many times I can read those. I can turn to my guilty little secret – my stash of romcoms – but can those really be said to be in the drama genre? I guess it is one of the vital ingredients, as it is in pretty much every story out there, but the romance and the comedy overshadow it, like their label suggests.
One novel that I've found to be the ultimate easy read is Tall, Dark and Hungry by Lynsay Sands. Yes, I cringe even writing that title here. Not only is it a romantic comedy, it's one with vampires in it. The thing about this novel is that even though both of the main characters have a burden to overcome, and there is an element of drama in Terri's past that still haunts her, nothing bad happens at all! Most books throw lots of obstacles in the characters' path. Many try to offer a shock or two, as predictable as they may be. There is none of that in this novel, apart from a minor incident near the end, which is easily solved. When I read it, I was surprised at the author's daring – it's a sweet, smooth ride and in that sense, it's perfect.
Still, stubborn as I am as a reader, I wouldn't want every novel to be like that, because it would soon get boring. Which leads me to wonder why there aren't many novels that strike a reasonable balance. They're either completely formulaic, hard-hitting, or lacking a decent dose of drama. Perhaps I am a difficult target audience?
One of my earliest drama newsletters was about allowing the characters, and the reader, time to breathe in-between dramatic events. I stand by this. Just because an author is in charge of a character's life (unless you have one of those stubborn characters who are determined to shape their own destiny), it doesn't mean that you have to throw everything at them, one thing after the other, with no time for rest and relaxation.
Life would be unbearable if this were the case. And as a reader, I don't want to be subject to the secondary stress, unless I am feeling particularly masochistic.
There is room for different levels of drama, from the harsh to the gentle. I'm pretty certain there is a market for dramatic novels that are kind to character and reader alike. I'm sure that there are more of those stories out there than I am aware of. For now, I am trying out Madeleine Wickham – Sophie Kinsella's slightly more serious works, written under her real name.
Any recommendations, dear newsletter readers?
kittiara
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Here are some of the latest additions to the Drama Genre  :
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The Drama Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions and suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in!
Quick-Quill  - You hit the right Nail!!! I do a search (FIND in MS WORD) when editing. I put in all the ones you listed and edit the lines that come up. Some you have to leave in, but the writer rises to the challenge to rewrite a sentence to avoid those filler words. In my opinion it makes for a better writer! PUBLISHERS love you!
Thank you! I do the same thing. As you say, some can be left in. It's all about finding a balance. I am glad I am not the only one  .
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Joy  - I agree with you, and yes, we all fall prey to such attention lapses. In my reviews, I point those out, too, when I catch them.
My thought on the matter is, whether a publisher cares about repetitions or not, we, writers have to care for our work to be at its best if we offer it to the public.
Thanks for bringing up a very important point.
Thank you for your feedback, Joy! I completely agree with you .
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Jacqueline  - Thank you for your newsletter. It is helpful to know what to avoid when writing.
You are most welcome! Of course, it's only my opinion, based on what I've come across when reading/writing/reviewing .
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In response to my newsletter on immigration:
PartyBee  - Kittiara, Thanks so much for sharing your story. It's very inspirational and shows us another side of immigration which often we overlook. I know a guy where I work, (LAPD 911 dispatcher) who holds a "green" card while he waits for his naturalization paperwork. I would have never guessed he was an immigrant. He has really worked hard to embrace his new country.
Thank you, Steph! I wasn't sure if it was a good topic to cover, but I am glad that I did. It's nice to hear about other migrants who do their best to embrace their new country. I hope that his naturalization goes smoothly!
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Drama Newsletter Team
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