Contemporary writing

[Esther]

@theshadow

Ooh, okay that’s a good idea. I’ll try that, do you have any book suggestions?

Yes! Let’s see…

• Anything by Robin Jones Gunn — she’s literally my favorite author ever and I absolutely love her writing. I’ve heard mixed opinions on her books (some saying they’re cheesy or unrealistic) but it think they’re really good. If you don’t like romance though, then these might not be the books for you (they’re all clean though!)
• Pudge and Prejudice by A. K. Pittman (this was the 80s book I was talking about)
• Inside the Ten-Foot Line by Lori Z. Scott — this is a volleyball book with some action and a couple intense scenes, but it was really good! Definitely a reread for me
• Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery — this isn’t exactly “contemporary”, but if you’re looking to write quieter stories with minimal action, books like these are good places to start
• I remember enjoying the Holly Heart series when I was younger, but I don’t remember it as clearly now
  These are the ones I can think of off the top of my head, but I’ll let you know if I think of any more!

Alright. Do you have any pointers on making this type of conflict really engaging for the reader?

Make the readers care about your characters. If they don’t care about your characters, then they won’t care about their internal conflict. So take time to craft real, multi-dimensional characters that will engage readers.

Mix internal and external conflict. This keeps things from getting boring and makes the stakes higher in certain situations. For example, in my current WIP, one of MCs struggles with putting value on the wrong things and finding her worth in what other people think of her (I’m talking about Hallie). So when the external conflict comes in, choosing between her old friend group and Katrina and her friend group, she’s torn between choosing solid friendships or popularity (there’s also something that happens later on that makes this conflict even worse, but i don’t want to spoil it. XP) Does that concept make sense? Idk if I’m explaining it very well, lol.

 

 

Ok I read through your ideas and I really like them!! I don’t have the time right now to give my thoughts on developing them further, but I’ll get back to you later this week about that! 🙂

Write what should not be forgotten. — Isabel Allende

[TheShadow]

@keilah-h

(Whether you read that in his voice or however you imagine my voice to sound is up to you.)

I’m now going to read all of your posts in Sniper’s voice now that you mention it

“He sure is a frog-walker, he heaves a big sigh
He only lacks wings for to be on the fly.”

[TheShadow]

@trailblazer

Those are great ideas, thank you so much!! This is spurring a lot of ideas now, thanks.

@linus-smallprint

Understandable. Contemporary writing is kind of like writing set in the present or close to it, and are mainly based in reality.

@esther-c

Thank you for the suggestions, I’ll check them out! Okay, compelling characters seem to be the biggest component in contemporaries, so that is also noted. When I start creating them, could I tag you and a few others for your thoughts on them?

(there’s also something that happens later on that makes this conflict even worse, but i don’t want to spoil it. XP)

How long do I have to wait to read this??

Ok I read through your ideas and I really like them!! I don’t have the time right now to give my thoughts on developing them further, but I’ll get back to you later this week about that! ?

Thank you!!

“He sure is a frog-walker, he heaves a big sigh
He only lacks wings for to be on the fly.”

[Keilah H.]

@theshadow

AHAHAHAHAHA

(or whatever Snipes’ laugh is like)

 

 

 

even the posts about me being a simp??? Lol

Gerald handled that. You don’t question Gerald. (if you know you know)

[TheShadow]

@keilah-h

Yes XD

“He sure is a frog-walker, he heaves a big sigh
He only lacks wings for to be on the fly.”

[Keilah H.]

@theshadow lolllllll

 

that’s gonna be weird

Gerald handled that. You don’t question Gerald. (if you know you know)

[TheShadow]

@keilah-h

Indeed….

“He sure is a frog-walker, he heaves a big sigh
He only lacks wings for to be on the fly.”

[Keilah H.]

@theshadow I can’t help but snicker now every time I read that you’ve replied to something I’ve said, cause that implies you’ve read it ?

Gerald handled that. You don’t question Gerald. (if you know you know)

[TheShadow]

@keilah-h

Lol

“He sure is a frog-walker, he heaves a big sigh
He only lacks wings for to be on the fly.”

[Keilah H.]

@theshadow

I got my eye on ya, mate.

 

 

 

 

look what you’ve done you’ve encouraged my obsession lollllllll

Gerald handled that. You don’t question Gerald. (if you know you know)

[Keilah H.]

listen everyone I’m so sorry for diverting this topic from “contemporary writing” to “Shadow has decided Keilah sounds like Sniper now and there’s nothing any of them can do about it.” It’s 10:20 at night right now, I’m sitting in the car on my way home from a day trip, and I have only a fraction of an idea what I’m doing with my life.

 

 

 

I’m dying laughing thinking about what this sounds like in his voice

Gerald handled that. You don’t question Gerald. (if you know you know)

[TheShadow]

@keilah-h

look what you’ve done you’ve encouraged my obsession lollllllll

Wait, nooo!! I take it back, is it too late?! lol

Also it’s a-okay, I think this topic is kind dead anyway XD

“He sure is a frog-walker, he heaves a big sigh
He only lacks wings for to be on the fly.”

[Keilah H.]

@theshadow nah mate, no worries

 

(yep I’m leaning fully into it now)

 

thanks!

Gerald handled that. You don’t question Gerald. (if you know you know)

[TheShadow]

@keilah-h

(yep I’m leaning fully into it now)

Oh boy XD

What have I done lol

“He sure is a frog-walker, he heaves a big sigh
He only lacks wings for to be on the fly.”

[Keilah H.]

@theshadow

I don’t know

Gerald handled that. You don’t question Gerald. (if you know you know)

[Author]

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