tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post541081291980801955..comments2024-03-27T03:14:07.652-04:00Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: Using Settings to Tap Your Reader's ImaginationMissy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-81161482856637292382018-07-17T12:52:20.690-04:002018-07-17T12:52:20.690-04:00Hi Jan:
I think the same way as you do about peop...Hi Jan:<br /><br />I think the same way as you do about people in the past having the same feelings we have today about the lost of a young child. And yet in the study of history the professionals are constantly warned not to measure the past by today's yardsticks. <br /><br />Hobbes wrote, centuries before, that life could be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short". Also consider that we are dealing with a nation of farmers and others who raised the animals they would later have to butcher. <br /><br />I find it very possible that those people had to develop a remoteness towards their animals in order to function and survive. I'm told farmers do not want to name the animals that will later be butchered. Cf. even today the song:<br /><br /><i>"You take a chicken and you kill it and you put it in the skillet<br />And you fry up a golden brown<br />That's southern cookin' and that's mighty nice"</i><br /><br />How many people today would do this? <br /><br />So while the farmer would not want to get too close to his new calves, he could still prize them and truly provide loving care when they were sick. I think the people back then did develop a mental detachment which I feel we don't have today. <br /><br />But of course there will always be those who cannot cope with this kind of loss<br />Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-51671487439198690382018-07-17T12:33:45.637-04:002018-07-17T12:33:45.637-04:00Love this, Jan! I can see the scenes you painted a...Love this, Jan! I can see the scenes you painted and love how you used the trapped, tight places to show the women's plight, and then the wide open vistas to show freedom. :)<br /><br />I've done this sort of thing, but I not nearly to the extent you show here. You are amazing! :)Pam Hillmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604636348596615139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-24092330205588167662018-07-17T11:11:05.597-04:002018-07-17T11:11:05.597-04:00Hi Karen!
Yes, that "experience" is wha...Hi Karen!<br /><br />Yes, that "experience" is what the reader wants, and what we want FOR them! When someone tells me they liked one of my books, the <i>why</i> isn't important. I'm just happy they enjoy the reading experience!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-84947779517237991642018-07-17T10:50:06.321-04:002018-07-17T10:50:06.321-04:00Hi, Jan! You stated (paraphrase) that readers migh...Hi, Jan! You stated (paraphrase) that readers might not notice the setting details but the details still add to the reading experience. That is exactly what I was thinking as I read your post. Because I want to use setting details more effectively, I notice them when I read but often wonder how many readers miss them. But you're right...the reader might miss the "mastery" of the skill, but they still get the "experience"--which is what the reader wants. Thanks for sharing!Karen Sargenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10762000226496483451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-78584410317040005962018-07-17T10:03:47.690-04:002018-07-17T10:03:47.690-04:00Wilani - I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying ...Wilani - I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying that you'll find comfort in knowing he's with his Lord. But I know that won't make you miss him less.Glynna Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11914006944057671962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-20404831136071502172018-07-17T09:59:26.285-04:002018-07-17T09:59:26.285-04:00That is a great point, Mindy! I'm not good wit...That is a great point, Mindy! I'm not good with setting so I really need to up my game!Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-88707671682647193252018-07-17T09:58:42.097-04:002018-07-17T09:58:42.097-04:00Wilani, you're in my thoughts and prayers. I l...Wilani, you're in my thoughts and prayers. I lost my dad in March so know how tough it is.Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-52293753547804961272018-07-17T09:48:25.495-04:002018-07-17T09:48:25.495-04:00Thank you, Glynna! I love this aspect of writing.....Thank you, Glynna! I love this aspect of writing...but I guess you could tell that. :-)Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-23667811010707283372018-07-17T09:47:19.835-04:002018-07-17T09:47:19.835-04:00I'm so sorry, Wilani. It's a bittersweet t...I'm so sorry, Wilani. It's a bittersweet time, isn't it? We're so happy for our loved ones when the pain of this life is over, and we rejoice when we know they are with the Lord...but it's still so hard for those left behind.<br /><br />I will be praying for your peace and comfort this week and through the coming months.Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-23630807628187966822018-07-17T09:45:11.300-04:002018-07-17T09:45:11.300-04:00You brought up a great point! It's kind of lik...You brought up a great point! It's kind of like cleaning the house - no one notices until you <i>don't</i> do it!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-7353300601573142782018-07-17T09:44:03.457-04:002018-07-17T09:44:03.457-04:00Thanks, Connie. I hope it's useful!Thanks, Connie. I hope it's useful!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-3894758088148431362018-07-17T09:43:26.800-04:002018-07-17T09:43:26.800-04:00You're welcome, Laura!You're welcome, Laura!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-73911496598659869372018-07-17T08:34:03.008-04:002018-07-17T08:34:03.008-04:00Good morning, Jan. I love how you've used sett...Good morning, Jan. I love how you've used setting to convey / reflect other aspects of your story! Thank you for the examples, too, and for sharing word usage choices that touch a reader's emotional chords.Glynna Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11914006944057671962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-1060905063727068982018-07-17T08:03:06.236-04:002018-07-17T08:03:06.236-04:00Yesterday my precious father entered heaven. Hopin...Yesterday my precious father entered heaven. Hoping to get back to my normal routine of writing and reading soon. This week will be busy with funeral arrangements and family time.<br /><br />So very thankful for all the prayers during the last few months.<br /><br />It is a relief to know he didn't suffer at the end.Wilani Wahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601994716681655552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-49618228223843184432018-07-17T04:51:59.934-04:002018-07-17T04:51:59.934-04:00It’s funny - as a reader, I don’t actually truly a...It’s funny - as a reader, I don’t actually truly appreciate well-crafted setting of books until I run across one that may not be as well-crafted or carefully planned. Then it makes me wonder why I’m not enjoying the book that much which leads me to contemplate on the last book I really enjoyed....and BAM! It hits me suddenly that the truly enjoyable book had a great setting that transported me to the place and era. MJSHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01882770313220588622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-693547005277953442018-07-16T20:49:05.755-04:002018-07-16T20:49:05.755-04:00Jan, you have offered a wealth of information. Tha...Jan, you have offered a wealth of information. Thanks for sharing!Connie Porter Saundershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09234596850866029756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-80296408269535083012018-07-16T18:59:06.205-04:002018-07-16T18:59:06.205-04:00Great post, Jan. Thank you for these tips and exam...Great post, Jan. Thank you for these tips and examples!Laura Conner Kestnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602442584400600203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-1667602578487897872018-07-16T18:00:46.885-04:002018-07-16T18:00:46.885-04:00I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Patti Jo!
This is...I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Patti Jo!<br /><br />This is just one more reason why writing isn't for wimps! But it is <i>so much fun,</i> isn't it? *big grin!*Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-61846278947407074752018-07-16T17:59:30.021-04:002018-07-16T17:59:30.021-04:00You're welcome, Amy. I've always felt that...You're welcome, Amy. I've always felt that words are very important, and even more so since I started writing for publication.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-15355249221130946892018-07-16T17:58:20.505-04:002018-07-16T17:58:20.505-04:00You know, Kav, I don't think of the hard/soft ...You know, Kav, I don't think of the hard/soft consonants until after the scene is done. I edit as I write (I edit the previous day's writing before I start on the current day's word count), and I just keep going until it sounds right. During that process, I look for the sounds of words and nuances of word meaning to give the scene the feeling I want to convey. So I guess it's a little of both.<br /><br />And I don't have any books that are e-book only, so you probably have all of them! Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-36823888431124625732018-07-16T17:54:28.443-04:002018-07-16T17:54:28.443-04:00Thank you, Debby! *blushing*Thank you, Debby! *blushing*Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-11156108199598198372018-07-16T17:53:58.904-04:002018-07-16T17:53:58.904-04:00Thank you, Edwina! You're in the drawing!Thank you, Edwina! You're in the drawing!<br /><br />Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-73555388098595603952018-07-16T17:52:14.989-04:002018-07-16T17:52:14.989-04:00Hi Vince,
I thought of you when I wrote this post...Hi Vince,<br /><br />I thought of you when I wrote this post - some readers DO notice the subtext (I'm one of them, also!)<br /><br />Your post script brings up an interesting thought, and one my circle of friends discussed not long ago as we were studying Psalm 127. At the time of the Psalmist, children were definitely precious. My feeling is that the reason for that is because the infant mortality rate <i>was</i> so high, not only in Old Testament times, but up until the mid-20th century. <br /><br />No parent, no matter the times or circumstances, can remain unaffected by the loss of a child. (Think of King David and the loss of his and Bathsheba's child.) Perhaps there were families that remained distant from their young children, but I don't think they were the norm. And yes, I know I'm disagreeing with "experts." That's okay. I often do. ;-)<br /><br />Thank you for your thoughts, and thank you for reading my books!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-33481694494216192692018-07-16T17:37:40.419-04:002018-07-16T17:37:40.419-04:00You're welcome, Pat. I'm glad it was usefu...You're welcome, Pat. I'm glad it was useful for you!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-29748426433296245452018-07-16T15:17:06.834-04:002018-07-16T15:17:06.834-04:00Wonderful post, Jan - - thank you.
As others have ...Wonderful post, Jan - - thank you.<br />As others have also said, I hadn't really thought about hard and soft consonant sounds making a difference---wow! <br />A keeper post, for sure!<br /> Hugs, Patti JoCatMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09985658721138526298noreply@blogger.com