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Q: SD, I wanted to
write a thriller, but it turned into a comedy. Is there a way I can change it
back to a thriller without throwing everything I’ve written out?
A: Some of the best works in every category (other than comedy) has comedic elements
in them. Terms like dry humor, sick sense of humor, dark humor, and many more
are different ways of just saying something will seem funny to different
people. Oh, and sarcasm is also another form of humor. Without reading your
manuscript (please do not send it, but
I’ve read a few peoples’ sample chapters), review your work and pay close
attention to the elements which you want to happen as the thriller you wanted
to make first. I’m sure once you take stock of your work, then you can go back
and see the comedic aspects and make changes accordingly. I have no idea where
you took a left turn, then a right, but something in you made that choice and
you should seldom (if ever) contradict
your first answer because it is usually correct. I hope this helps. SD
Q: SD, I have
several friends (test readers) who tell
me I’m over thinking my work. Am I (more
written)?
A: The work you’re
looking for is nitpicking. Here’s the actual problem. The question you need to
ask yourself is how much is enough? You can go on forever making small tweaks
and adjustment for the rest of your life. I’m one-hundred percent on the side
of improving your work, but have to work on my similar problem of good enough.
Good enough isn’t a lack of quality, but understanding that perfection isn’t
without flaws. Your (as well as my own)
will never be perfect because everyone who reads your work will see it different
ways and there are people out there who will read your work just to find things
that are wrong. As far as I’m concerned, as long as they are willing to take
the time out of their busy lives to read my work (even with a microscope) I’m grateful for their attention. I was
once told that not everyone can write a story, not that every story has to be
perfect. I hope this helps. SD
Q: SD, Is it better to
write a cliffhanger or end a story when there is a sequel?
A: This is an excellent question. My answer is both. And,
here comes the WHATs! Just because one story line comes to and end doesn’t mean
another one can’t begin. For me (and I do
mean for me), I like my work to have a story arc that can stand alone in
the manuscript. Oh, I will leave a few breadcrumbs or a question or two, and
allude to some question that need to be answered or the name of a person who
can answer it, but that’s just me. It is now up to the reader to wish to read
the sequel or next installment, but (hopefully)
feel a sense of satisfaction when they come to the end of the work they have on
hand. Another way of having the best of both worlds is multiple story lines.
You can have a story arc end, one with a cliffhanger and one that just
disappear and reappear on the first line of the first paragraph of the first
chapter of the sequel. This is what I coin as an anger management chapter. You
may ask why I might call it this? There are going to be a segment of readers
who are going to be pissed because of their personal attachment to this
particular story arc and instant satisfaction is like cool water poured over
someone who been out in the hot sun. In other words, these people will look at
the sample chapter and get captured once again in their imagination (or reestablish ownership of a particular
character or storyline). Clearly this isn’t a clearly defined end nor a
cliffhanger, but it is a way to give the readers a to want to read the sequel.
I hope this helps. SD
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