IWSG~Do You Finish The Book or Put It Down?

Happy New Year!

Knowing that, for most people, Covid put a huge damper on any New Year's celebrations, I still have to ask - Did you do anything special, anyway? How did you ring in this new year?

Me - my hubby and I went out to dinner with friends and called it an early night, thankful that we could go out at all.

🦋🦋🦋

Moving forward, the IWSG (optional) monthly question is an intriguing one. I really had to think about this one.

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Question: Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?

 

 

 

 

 

To even ponder an answer to this question, I literally had to search through my bookshelves to jog memories of books that made me pause at inopportune times or that I couldn't finish. In all honestly, for the most part, I usually finish every book I start.

1. I feel like I owe it to the author to forge through to the end. Being a writer, I understand the accomplishment of writing an entire novel - *like most of you.
2. I owe it to the story to see where it journeys, to follow the twists and turns of the character arcs.

As far as frustration while reading a book, I guess I might have a bit of apprehension for those books that jump around the story a little too much. What's too much? Hmm...like most else in reading and writing, that is subjective. For me, it's when I flip to the next page and can't remember the character, problem, or (short-term) goal of the story thread. So when I have to flip back a few chapters to refresh my memory. 

On the other hand, that might not be the writer's fault. I am getting older, you know... :) 

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Offering up a warm 'thank you' to all this month's co-hosts -  Ronel Janse van Vuuren , J Lenni Dorner, Gwen Gardner Sandra Cox, and Louise - Fundy Blue!

What about you? Anything about a book make you put it down or quit reading it?

 

IWSG ~ Endings and Beginnings

With every ending comes a new beginning.

This can be applied to every aspect of our lives from friendships, employment, projects, preferences, and relationships to the actual rising and setting of the sun. Some elements in our lives can come to such a sudden end it can even feel like death has stolen them away.

 

But the hope we live in is that Death has no power of over us, no matter what type of death, that we can always begin anew. "That all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

This is my humble prayer for all of you. 2020 has not been kind to us. We were all at a specific place January 1st, 2020. We're not there, anymore. Even though it might be hard to see, we have grown. I choose to reflect on all I've been through and all that 🇺🇸 We The People 🇺🇸 have had to endure during this year, and then where I am now. I pray that 2021 brings strength, hope, and kindness and that I can be a light of that goodness for others.

My best wishes and prayers go out to you all. Stay safe and healthy as we approach the new year.

Merry Christmas🎄✝️🎄,

PS: Obviously I haven't been posting here nearly as much as I used to, but I have been posting. As part of both spookymiddlegrade.com and From The Mixed-Up Files . . . of Middle Grade Authors, I am posting regularly. HERE'S my latest post for MUF - an interview with our friend and fellow middle grade author Diane Salerni. Make sure to enter her giveaway for your chance to WIN a signed copy of her latest release ELEANOR, ALICE, & THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS!

A huge thank-you goes out to this month's IWSG co-hosts: Jemi Fraser, Kim Lajevardi, L.G Keltner, Tyrean Martinson, and Rachna Chhabria!

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