Bring to mind your favorite book. Take a minute. I know there are many favorites, but think about the one that made you FEEL the most. The one you can remember where you were when you read it, how the character's plight made you feel, and how much you hated for the story to end. The one that when you finished it, you closed the book with a sigh and thought about the characters for a week. It's on your keeper shelf, so go get it.
Without opening it, make a few notes and come up with your overall impression of the book. What are the impressions you recall? Heat? Cold? Sexual tension? Yearning? Longing? Loneliness? Familial warmth? Secrets? Desire for something?
An overall TONE is something you can't always find adequate words to explain. But if, when you think about the book, you remember the FEELING you got from reading it, it was a tone that made an impression. And it was in your mind when I asked you to select a favorite book.
As a writer, it's my job to put those feelings into each book. If I haven't written a story that made you feel, then I haven't written a keeper. And I always aim to write a keeper.
So, with those feelings in mind, what's your all-time favorite book?
THE CATSWOLD PORTAL by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
ReplyDeleteGone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
ReplyDeleteA Cowboy's Secret by Anne Mcallister
ReplyDeleteTill the Stars Fall Down by Kathy Seidel.
ReplyDeleteWhat's yours, Cheryl? Although, I must admit, asking someone for ONE favorite is really dirty pool. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer (for Becky Thatcher) and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Indicates I'm still young at heart (or in my second childhood), 2 of my top 10 favorite girl names, & I don't always play by the rules. I have to ponder my adult keeper & get back to you. Must add Eight Cousins & Rose in Bloom (indicates I go for families & sequels- the rest of the story, love epilogues!)
ReplyDeleteLooks like I missed blogging wtih you at the other site; just working too much, my son's friend tells me when I give him my schedule for the week.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a keepers shelf. I have a lot of the childhood books. I have "little women", but have yet to read the entire book.
ReplyDeleteI find myself in another world when I am reading. They all make me feel. And, of course, if I am hormonal it will make me feel even more!
Okay, Liz, just for you I'll pick ONE.
ReplyDeleteOne, huh?
Okay, just one.....
that means no runners up, I guess
TWICE LOVED, LaVyrle Spencer
My all time fav would be a book I read as a young girl, "Girl of the Limberlost" by Gene Stratton Porter, and "The Enchanted Barn" Grace Livingston Hill. Now I have dated myself!
ReplyDeleteGeorgia, I LOVED several of GSP'S books, including Girl & Freckles when I was growing up in the early 60's (you do the math on age! lol). And I have 53 of GL Hill's books (no surprise to Cheryl), but am missing Enchanted Barn & Happiness Hill from the 5 of her Classics series (others are Crimson Roses, Patricia & Silver Wings.) Have all 4 in her Collector's Choice group: the xmas bride, in tune with wedding bells, partners & the strange proposal. Still haven't decided on my favorite current book. Too busy to think!! Funeral tomorrow WED & taking son to college Sat to FL. Catch you later
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