Weekend Wondering - Page Turners

This weekend I'm going to spend worrying...oops...wondering...about two things. One is the extra layer of conflict I need to add to my September-due book. The other is the workshop I'm presenting at the Romance Writers of Australia conference on writing a page-turner. I have my ideas on what elevates a book to can't-put-it-down status but I'm wondering if I've covered all the angles for other readers. So, while I'm away in a cold, grey part of the state watching son play football and enjoying family togetherness, a part of my brain will be fine-tuning the workshop material. I would love to hear your thoughts on what makes a book a page-turner. For extra incentive, every comment will be an entry in my August giveaway.

Labels: giveaway, RWAustralia, weekend wondering

posted by Bronwyn Jameson @ 12:10 AM

Comments:

have fun

posted by

kim h : 10:13 AM

Hi There. For me- the writer- the page turning element is the climax/hook I have to build into the end of each scene/chapter, even if it is only a beat which turns on an introspective question or whether the heroine can get through the traffic on time to meet her date.
The reader in me wants to know - needs to know - what happens next, and it is my job to structure the scene to make sure that happens.
Yes. I know. Nobody said this was an easy path to having words in print.
Hope that makes some sort of sense - regards, Ray-Anne

posted by

Ray-Anne : 5:46 AM

Ray-Anne, it does make perfect sense. The "need to know" , the anticipation, the going on a journey with the characters and not wanting to get off the ride -- those are the qualities I'm talking about. Writing great end of scene and end of chapter hooks sure helps! Bron

posted by

Bronwyn Jameson : 11:09 AM

Kim, thanks for dropping by. Had a gorgeous weekend, despite some pretty chilly winter weather. Take care, Bron

posted by

Bronwyn Jameson : 11:10 AM

Hi Bron!

For me, it's all about the characters. If I care enough about the characters (and I'm a huge dialogue fan) I flip those pages at a rate of knots!!

Have a great time in Sydney!!

posted by

Nicola Marsh : 7:38 PM

Hi Bron!

sometimes for me its 'what happens next?' - I just have to find out if its all going to be okay. Sometimes I'm just enjoying the ride with the characters, and don't want to leave. In your books I often love the language, the way it just flows along and takes me with it.

Looking forward to your workshop!

Helen

posted by

pomo housewife : 10:11 PM

Hey, Nic. The characters, absolutely. Hard to get involved if you don't care what happens to them ... which leads to wanting to know what happens next. I'm a big fan of "need to know."

Nic, we will miss you in Sydney.

See you soon, Helen.

posted by

Bronwyn Jameson : 12:04 PM

For me it is the chemistry between the characters. When that hits the right cord with me I don't even need the hook at the end of every single chapter.

posted by