Over Kill

Happy Monday!  Welcome to all my new followers (many from the Writer's Platform Building Campaign), and welcome back to all my regular followers.  I hope you all made it safely through the rain and wind from Irene.

Last night we were at loose ends and decided to watch FOOLPROOF.  (Those of you who like LEVERAGE will really enjoy this movie.)  It is about a group of friends who plan heists, plotting every detail, but never carry them out.  One day, their plans get stolen and used. They are contacted to create new plans for a new break-in in order to recover the stolen plans.

I really enjoyed the movie, but I noticed something I see much too often.  There were a few scenes where the camera pointed out something important to the viewer, then showed it again.  I understand they wanted to be certain the viewer understood the significance, but for me once was enough.  Twice was over kill.

Which brings me to writing.  I have been guilty of this in my writing, not trusting my reader to understand the first time I said it, so I add it in two or three more times.  I'll put it in exposition, then repeat it in dialogue (or vice versa).  In fact, just this morning I received back chapters from a CP and she marked three sections I had done this in.  (Thanks Tammy!!!  I promise I will fix that!)

How about you?  Do you trust your reader to get the subtle clues the first time, or do you hit them over the head with it?  And, as a reader/movie viewer, which do you prefer, those subtle "Oh, their going to that!" moments or the  "Alright, already,  I got it the first time you showed me fifteen minutes ago?" ones?

Music to Inspire

I like to listen to music when I write.  Ii isn't something I must do, often opting to listen to the noises of my family as I type away.

Normally I choose movie soundtracks, loving the building crescendos, the sweeping lines, letting them surround me as I craft my world.  Lately I've been considering listening to songs with vocals.  Why?  Well, one of my favorite bands for inspiration (Nightwish) only has one instrumental album so far.  But the other reason is I want to get into the right mood.  I want to feel the denial of love, the frustration when the one you love is with another, and how better to capture these feelings than with the right song?

So, fellow authors, do you listen to music as you write?  Why, and what do you listen to?  If you don't, why not?   Share in the comments below.

Writers' Platform-Building Campaign

Rachael Harrie is running her third Platform Building Campaign.  Info can be found here.   Sign-ups are open through August 31st.  What are you waiting for???   Looking forward to seeing you there!

You Know You're a Writer When. . .

This past weekend my family and I went on a day trip to Roseland Waterpark.  (Yes-- I did the 60' water slide that goes 30 MPH.  It was awesome!  The twisty one was not as fun for me, but I would do the white one again in a heartbeat!)

Before meandering our way through wine country (stopping to get a few bottles from some of our favorites), we went to breakfast at a local diner.  As we were leaving, I caught a glimpse of a sign that made me laugh.

It read "We are not responsible for lost articles."

Now, I know it isn't really that funny, but when I turned to my husband and our friend and said, "So, if you lose an a, an, or the, they aren't responsible," it took on a totally new meaning for me, and I thought it was funny.

What signs have you reinterpreted in a different way than they are meant?  Share in the comments.

Reminder

Just a reminder that WriteOnCon started yesterday and continues through tomorrow.  You can check it out here!