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Sunday, December 12, 2010
Psst! Can You Keep a Secret?
There are two secrets to success in life
1) Never tell anybody everything you know
Of course we can see why this little tidbit is successful: supply and demand. If you too willingly and freely give everyone what they want, they won’t want it anymore. Sorta like why you shouldn’t have sex on the first date no matter how much you may want to. You should draw that stuff out for fifteen years…or at least the third date. That way when you hit the mattress, it ignites.
In writing, the effect is much the same. If you want the pages to ignite and your readership to tear through your book, dying to know what happens next: don’t tell everything. Keep them guessing. And I don’t mean with just the sexual tension, though that does keep me ripping through a book, trying to determine when will they. I’m talking about the mystery of the book—even if you’re not writing a mystery. The hero had a goal of some kind, as did the heroine, and although most of us just want to know, will these guys stop yelling at each other long enough to realize they love each other, we also want to know: Are they going to succeed? And if they do, how it will affect the outcome of their love for each other?
So we’ve determined it’s a supply and demand thing. Don’t give it away so cheaply and easily. But if you really want to make people froth at the mouth, freaked out they won’t get the happy ending they want, then you need to make sure they believe their supply is in danger. Terrorists, manipulative prom queens, thirsty vampires, or the end of the world—whatever—it has to be a threat we believe is going to ruin not only the hero and heroines’ lives, but ours, because we’re emotionally invested now. A whole you jump, I jump investment. I mean, do you remember some years ago when the news was predicting that the world’s supply of coffee was in danger and that prices were going to skyrocket? And all those little caffeine addicts flipped the hell out? OH MY GOD, WE’RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF COFFEE! That’s the sort of panic you need to ensue. Make the adrenaline pound, baby.
Of course, you’ll have noticed that the little quip above doesn’t share the second secret. Clearly that’s the joke—they know it and they’re not telling us—but I think it just leaves open the space for whatever “secret” you need at the time to get you through. Like if you’re not published yet, the secret is: Be persistent. If you are published, the secret is: Don’t get complacent. Or whatever. Whatever secret you need to tell yourself to make it happen. Because as the joke above proves, the secret is there are no secrets.
Speaking of secrets, did anyone else get to see The Tourist this weekend? I am seriously the dumbest movie watcher ever. The end came and my mouth just fell open. Usually I can pick out one or two things and go, “I knew it!” as if I were Columbo or something, but I so didn’t get to do that this time. But I’m curious if anyone else got it right away.
Okay, so what tricks do you employ to keep your readers guessing? Or what authors do you love to read that keep their readers guessing? Are you good at keeping secrets?
1) Never tell anybody everything you know
Of course we can see why this little tidbit is successful: supply and demand. If you too willingly and freely give everyone what they want, they won’t want it anymore. Sorta like why you shouldn’t have sex on the first date no matter how much you may want to. You should draw that stuff out for fifteen years…or at least the third date. That way when you hit the mattress, it ignites.
In writing, the effect is much the same. If you want the pages to ignite and your readership to tear through your book, dying to know what happens next: don’t tell everything. Keep them guessing. And I don’t mean with just the sexual tension, though that does keep me ripping through a book, trying to determine when will they. I’m talking about the mystery of the book—even if you’re not writing a mystery. The hero had a goal of some kind, as did the heroine, and although most of us just want to know, will these guys stop yelling at each other long enough to realize they love each other, we also want to know: Are they going to succeed? And if they do, how it will affect the outcome of their love for each other?
So we’ve determined it’s a supply and demand thing. Don’t give it away so cheaply and easily. But if you really want to make people froth at the mouth, freaked out they won’t get the happy ending they want, then you need to make sure they believe their supply is in danger. Terrorists, manipulative prom queens, thirsty vampires, or the end of the world—whatever—it has to be a threat we believe is going to ruin not only the hero and heroines’ lives, but ours, because we’re emotionally invested now. A whole you jump, I jump investment. I mean, do you remember some years ago when the news was predicting that the world’s supply of coffee was in danger and that prices were going to skyrocket? And all those little caffeine addicts flipped the hell out? OH MY GOD, WE’RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF COFFEE! That’s the sort of panic you need to ensue. Make the adrenaline pound, baby.
Of course, you’ll have noticed that the little quip above doesn’t share the second secret. Clearly that’s the joke—they know it and they’re not telling us—but I think it just leaves open the space for whatever “secret” you need at the time to get you through. Like if you’re not published yet, the secret is: Be persistent. If you are published, the secret is: Don’t get complacent. Or whatever. Whatever secret you need to tell yourself to make it happen. Because as the joke above proves, the secret is there are no secrets.
Speaking of secrets, did anyone else get to see The Tourist this weekend? I am seriously the dumbest movie watcher ever. The end came and my mouth just fell open. Usually I can pick out one or two things and go, “I knew it!” as if I were Columbo or something, but I so didn’t get to do that this time. But I’m curious if anyone else got it right away.
Okay, so what tricks do you employ to keep your readers guessing? Or what authors do you love to read that keep their readers guessing? Are you good at keeping secrets?
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54 comments:
Well, it helps a lot when I'm not sure what the secret is until I write it... Even when I know the big stuff, or think I know the big stuff, I usually don't know the big stuff as well as I think I know the big stuff.
*dizzy
I haven't seen "The Accidental Tourist" yet, but I'm usually clueless in movies. I see jokes coming...most movies I'm chortling before the joke hits the rest of the audience. But with thrillers...nope!
Case in point... "Dead Again" My husband saw it coming miles before I did. Miles and miles and miles...
Somehow I think there may be more to writing a good book than keeping a few surprises until the end!
Its more like fishing. Gotta tempt the fish with your bate first. Sweep the fly across the water surface to attract attention, let it dip to the surface to tease the fish with thoughts of a tasty meal. When you have it interested get it to bite. After its hooked you real it in, frightening the *sh..* out of it, then finally, as its a romance, you throw it back in ... the happy ending.
On being secretive, there is often a weak link in the process. I remember working in a military establishment for a while and was waiting for a restricted package to arrive. I had to be present to receive it and sign for it before keeping it in a security safe. Frustrated with waiting, I walked to the messenger's office and inquired whether there was anything for me. The messenger opened an unlocked cupboard and pulled out the parcel.... the weak link!
Helli, I'm guessing that you may have a few weak links in your armory. I'd need to read one of your books to be sure though. Knowing that you are hiding secrets would make it totally irresistible! LOL
I like surprises so if the author can put a twist at the end, I will be sold. Haven't watched that movie yet. But the one I still remember I got caught out was The Sixth Sense.
Fire and Cross
I haven't seen The Tourist, but I know how I want it to end. Now I must see it to see if I'm right. I did go see Tangled this weekend. AWESOME movie. Absolutely loved it.
I have to admit, when Hellie first shared this joke with me, I didn't get it. I thought she forgot to include the second part. LOL! In my defense, I was at work and a bit distracted.
This blog is spot on and probably something I need to work on. I'm not so good with hints and foreshadowing. I can pick up on them when I'm reading or watching a movie, but not so good at creating them in my own stuff.
I finished another Meg Benjamin book over the weekend and didn't see the big scary moment coming. Totally took me by surprise. Same with the big black moment in Tangled.
ohhh....haha now I get it. I was just going to say, where's the second secret? Right. lol. In my defense, I have a horrible head cold and am not quite getting anything at the moment *g*
I love secrets. Adore anything with a twist at the end. I'm a very gullible reader/watcher, so generally, twists will get me. I'll have to see the Toursit now. I wasn't sure from the previews, but if there's a good twist, I'm in. "Usual Suspects" is one that blew my mind the first time. and "Fight Club" of course.
I read a Mary Jo Putney book recently, where the heroine was a twin. She didn't saw which twin, and it took until halfway through the book to figure it out. It was awesome.
Hal - Is it snowing up there? The ground is actually all white here and it's still falling. I'm amazed.
2nd: The Tourist and The Accidental Tourist are two different movies. The Accidental Tourist was made in 1988 with people I don't care about and The Tourist has Johnny Depp. I surmise you see the difference.
I'm with you on not knowing the secret with the rest of your characters. *LOL* You'll be writing along, lah, lah, lah, and then it's: OMG! He just didn't! Or you could do what I did--be writing and writing and have no bloody idea about the secret and then your CP goes, "I know! I know!" and tells you and you like it so much you say, "You're exactly right! That is what happens!"
Q, your description of fishing was like reading a psychological Stephen King horror novel. I'm really glad I'm not a fish. Besides the facts that it would be challenging to type...or have complex thoughts.
There is always a weak link the process of secrets. *LOL* I know since I'm usually the weak link. I'm far too emotional when it requires the blank look of a poker player or assassin. I'll either blow my cover going, "You're a prick!" or start squealing "He's going to propose!" The only time I would not do this is if I forgot completely, which is quite possible.
ohhh….haha now I get it. I was just going to say, where’s the second secret? Right. lol. In my defense, I have a horrible head cold and am not quite getting anything at the moment
It's sad, but I thought the same thing. I was like, hey, wait, there doesn't seem to be at 2nd secret. Thank goodness you explained it to me, because today isn't a day I would have gotten that punchline. LOL!!
I think trying to stay in deep POV can help keep secrets. Because I don't think it always matters if the reader knows but I think it matters if the character does or doesn't. Omniscient narrators don't get to keep secrets. At least not well, I don't think.
Enid, I admit that The Tourist didn't quite have the same effect on me as The Sixth Sense, but that was because I came out of The Sixth Sense, looking around, completely creeped out and asking my friends if I was actually dead because I couldn't be sure.
But still, my brain played some tricks on me with The Tourist. I bought it. My friends were going, "I knew!" but then I had friends who did that at Sixth Sense. As I said, I'm always the last to solve the crime.
Also, I'm impressed Tangled has a BLACK moment. Now I'm very curious to see it.
I’m not so good with hints and foreshadowing.
That's what Hal's 2nd Draft is all about. *LOL*
“Usual Suspects” is one that blew my mind the first time. and “Fight Club” of course.
See, I saw both of these movies WAY after the fact, but they both still blew me away. The Usual Suspects blew me away more than Fight Club (which was more violent than I prefer)--but The Usual Suspects, I was so totally in and then at the end when THE BIG REVEAL plays you're like, "Oh. My. God." *LOL*
I wonder if it's movies like these that made the critics pan The Tourist? They're comparing what they've seen before and it comes up short compared??
Though I still did a sort of OMG. Actually it was more like a Scooby: What? And then went...OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH. Which is a sound I never mind making with Johnny in the room: OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH.
You're welcome, Marn. *LOL*
I think trying to stay in deep POV can help keep secrets. Because I don’t think it always matters if the reader knows but I think it matters if the character does or doesn’t.
This is very true. Deep POV means you're working hard to keep to your flawed narrator. The reader only knows as much as the narrator, who is skewed by his own perceptions.
Ter, I've got some white flurries, but nothing sticking to the ground. It's actually piling up there? Hopefully you'll get enough to have some fun, but not enough to bring everything to a standstill (I so cannot deal with another 3 feet like last year)
Well, since I usually read the ending first, most books hold few surprises for me. I did read a book this weekend, a love triangle, which surprised me in the way the author gets to the HEA. I'm not sure I like her choices, but there's definitely a twist.
In one of my WIPs, the heroine has a secret that not even her best friends know. It's not something I planned. I just found the heroine revealing it to the hero as I was writing a scene. I tried to cut it because it's not something I've ever seen in a romance, but I couldn't move past it. I ran the idea by a group of writing friends who said "Go for it." It's still in the book, but if the book is ever bought, I wouldn't be surprised if an editor nixed it.
Janga, you read the end first? I can't do that with books, but I have to with suspenseful or scary movies. Actually, I make the hubs watch it first, tell me yes or no if it's an ending I'll like, and then I watch it (if he says yes *g*). I get so stressed out with scary movies that I can take it all the way to the end without knowing the end ahead of time. I'm the same with apocalyptic movies - I get so freaked out that the world is actually going to end, right now, that I'll make myself sick. It's absurd *g*
I ran the idea by a group of writing friends who said “Go for it.” It’s still in the book, but if the book is ever bought, I wouldn’t be surprised if an editor nixed it.
I hope they keep it. *LOL* I think there are things that you'd keep even from your best friend. :)
Now I'm going to have to email you about the book because as always, you've made me curious what the book is. *LOL*
Yep, the snow is actually accumulating. Which NEVER happens here. Especially not this early in winter. (And it's not even officially winter yet really.)
Yes, Tangled has a black moment, and I may be a simpleton, but I really didn't know how they were going to pull off the HEA.
I think my hero needs a secret. Hmmmm....
I’m the same with apocalyptic movies – I get so freaked out that the world is actually going to end, right now, that I’ll make myself sick.
Me too!!! I could handle the ending of Armageddon--though I was upset Bruce died--but the one with Morgan Freeman and the little blonde chick??? The meteor hits and the ocean kills them?? I did not like that movie.
Still haven't watched 2012. How did that end? *LOL*
Memento is another movie that surprised me at the end. Anyone else see that one? I really liked that movie. :)
2012 actually wasn't bad. I could handle the end at that one. I still can't watch Armageddon, even knowing how it ends *g*
I like secrets. I'm a Scorpio. That's what we DO. (I totally sounded like the Allstate Mayhem Guy, didn't I? *fingers crossed*)
I don't go to the movies, so I will have to have this conversation with you guys in a few months when Netflix has these new releases. LOL
And I loved the "OMG we're going to run out of coffee" example. Now THAT is a crisis of epic proportions!
No coffee would be a sign of the apocalypse. I'm convinced of it.
PS guys, I'm writing again! Go me! I've written 500 words in the past two days. I'd imagine I'll go slower these days, but it's forward progress so I'm happy. :) Thought I'd share. Besides, I need a little bit of peer pressure so as not to fall back into sloth-like habits.
Memento--I have students who keep telling me to watch that one, but I haven't yet! Yes, definitely heard it was a twist you did not see coming!
Okay, I'm putting 2012 on the list--though I'm not a big fan of the actor...what's his name? Must Love Dogs guy??? John Cusack!!
Hal, I don't blame you not watching it. I've seen it a lot and I still chew my nails off from the tension. Which is ridiculous because it's the most improbable plot ever. EVER.
Donna, I didn't mean to worry you about the coffee. There is plenty of coffee. No worries. :)
But I see I chose wisely in picking my example of apocalyptic proportions.
Good for you, Marn! Keep swimming! Keep swimming! LOL!
I'm not much on films that confuse me so I never watched Memento. I'll take your word that it was good. LOL! I've actually never watched The Usual Suspects either, but the dude who wrote that also had a hand in writing The Tourist.
Huzzah, Marnee!!! I'm with you!! I wrote about five pages this week or so, and I'm quite proud of my progress. Would have been better if I'd written Friday and this weekend, but I think I needed the sleep and rest...and there was the birthday party. And the hangover.
How does one get a hangover from 1/2 a pitcher of beer?
How does one get a hangover from 1/2 a pitcher of beer?
Another lovely by-product of aging. *sigh*
I need to drink more water. I think that's all it means. More water.
Still haven’t watched 2012. How did that end? *LOL*
Everyone dies. Well, most of the right people die, sorta. AWESOME EFFECTS!
Ooops. Did I spoil things for you? ;-)
So, the Tourist and the Accidental Tourist are two different things...and I tend to think I'm so up on these things! LOL!
You sorta did spoil it, but you have eliminated my need to see it--so I can use those two hours more productively now. Thanks!!
Yes, they're two different things. Sorry. And I'm pretty sure The Tourist is not a remake of The Accidental Tourist.
The Tourist was originally a French film, but totally different than The Accidental Tourist.
Telling you people die at the end of a movie that is about the end of the world spoiled it? Really?
I just had to approve my own comment. LOL! WTH??
It can, yes.
Of course, I wanted to see My Best Friend's Wedding, but before I got to, my friend said, "She doesn't end up with him at the end." Boy was I mad.
That was an odd ending for a RomCom, but it worked for me. The right people ended up together.
I've never seen The Sixth Sense, but I've been told the twist so many times, I'll never know if I'd have seen it coming or not.
I think the only thing The Tourist and The Accidental Tourist have in common is the word "tourist." The Accidental Tourist is based on Anne Tyler's book of the same name, another of her books about disengaged males. The Tourist, I believe, is a remake of a French thriller.
I have been reading Anne Tyler since If Morning Ever Comes in the 60s, but this quote makes me glad I read her: "I don't want to say I hear voices; well, actually I do hear voices, but I don't think it's supernatural. I think it's just that when characters are given enough texture and backbone, then lo and behold, they stand on their own."
I totally agree the right people ended up together on MBFW--but she didn't give it any context. She just announced it and then didn't apologize for ruining it for me.
I don't usually watch or read endings first--not like the daring Janga. *LOL* I remember all those pranks with the Harry Potter books where people would do drive bys and tell you the ending of a book--it was "funny", but not really, because if I had been the one being told, I'd be so pissed. *LOL*
Helli: Q, your description of fishing was like reading a psychological Stephen King horror novel.
I was thinking of romantic suspense! ..... close though. *grin*
Janga: Well, since I usually read the ending first, most books hold few surprises for me.
Helli. Perhaps you could spring your surprises a few chapters before the end. *wink*
Marnee: No coffee would be a sign of the apocalypse. I’m convinced of it.
LaViolette is predicting that super gravity waves emitted from the center of the galaxy are over due. They travel at the speed of light so we won't see them coming ...... though I reckon that a scotch shortage will presage the end of the world as we know it. * horror*
Hell my scotch bottle is empty!
Well, it is an end of the world movie, so lots of people do die. I think the whole 'end of the world' stuff would be lost if that didn't happen.
Someone doesn't like John Cusack? Wow.
I did see "The Accidental Tourist" didn't it have Geena Davis in it? No? I get movies mixed up, duh-oh. Had some John actor in it...right?
I didn't realize Geoffrey Rush was in "The Kings Speech"! I'm gonna have to put this on my list!
Geoffrey Rush plays in the best movies--he always has some cool quirky part. I even loved him in Quills--though that's a hard movie to "love."
Someone doesn’t like John Cusack? Wow.
I had to suffer through that Better Off Dead movie in college. Then the number of blah movies he did that I never really got--he's sorta quirky, but not cool quirky like Johnny Depp. And everyone raves about Say Anything, which was okay, but nothing to write home about... *shrugs* He's just not my gig.
I had to watch the Must Love Dogs a few time to get his appeal. Mostly I liked it because of Diane Lane.
William Hurt, Chance. Kathleen Turner played the wife and Geena Davis won an Oscar for playing the girlfriend. I don't remember a John in the cast, but John Malcovich was the executive producer. I'm an Anne Tyler junkie. LOL
Hellie clearly doesn't get the subtlety that is Cusack. LOL! How could you not love Say Anything?!
(That's a rhetorical question, I just thought it needed to be asked.)
Cusack=beta=blah.
Ah, William Hurt! I always want to say John Hurt, who had his chest ripped apart in Alien. Don't ask, I don't know why I go blank on this!
I adored John in "Gross Point Blank"...which was when I discovered him. Didn't see any of his earlier stuff until years later! Like his sister, too!
I was even thinking about going to see the new Warrior movie because Geoffrey plays a scene stealing drunk...
Wow, make a comment about ripped out chests and the blog dies... And we're pirates!
Go Marnee and Hellie on writing!! I got some revisions done last week...woot!
I adore John Cusak. I like his quirky humor *g*
Sorry, 2nd, I've had enough gruesome images for one week. We played "Would you rather?" this weekend and basically it's a bunch of questions men wrote up because they are questions that women would never have dreamed up. Like would you rather have a scrotum on your chin or...well, we were too busy telling Chris, "Some guy wrote these questions!"
And that wasn't even the horrible one. Not even close. Lots of body fluids in these what if questions.
Anyway...so I'm past wanting to think about aliens ripping out of people. Plus I never watched the movie. Sci-fi and the Hellion don't mix.
Huzzah to Hal for her revisions. I believe Bo'sun is also doing some revisions, as is 2nd...
I believe Sin might be writing, when she's not plotting murder--or she was writing last I knew. And Donna...Donna is writing, right? That's why she's disappeared so she can actually get some work done?
We've been productive. Go ship!
As for John Cusak--I liked his quirky humor in Must Love Dogs. His obsession with Dr. Zhivago was pretty hilarious. (Incidentally I hate that story and movie as well.) In fact if I'm like anyone from that movie, I'm that little blonde chick, who when it's explained to her that the movie was based off a book, she was horrified. "Why? It was awful!" *LOL* One of my favorite parts.
That was pretty funny, the way the little blond didn't like the movie. When I was younger, it was just so romantic...but in retrospect? It's a real bummer.
Are you good at keeping secrets?
Eehhhh …. Its easy to keep secrets when you don’t have any. I am simply a quiet uncomplicated woman living a quiet uncomplicated life.
Which is why I love reading about secrets!
Great blog, Hellion!
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