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Writing suspense in fiction

Maine Lit Fest is going on right now all around the state. Last night I attended one of their workshops at the Penobscot Theatre in downtown Bangor. I have been wanting to take my writing to the next level so I joined this community of writers last month.


So far, all my books have been non-fiction. Even my early childhood books, The ABCs of the Appalachian Trail and The 123s of the Appalachian Trail have content that existed in truth - well, not 10 toads that tickled my toes but I did see toads on my hike. It's easy for me to write about myself. But I feel I have so much more to offer.


I have a few pages tucked away in the fiction genre I am playing with and one being a little mysterious, so when I saw there was a workshop about writing suspense in fiction with a focus of how Stephen King influenced that genre - I was in.


The diverse panel bantered back and forth with the moderators prompts. Each answer was intertaining as well as informative. While much of what was discussed was well above my intelligence, I clung to what I could.


This morning I was jolted awake by the scary realness of my dream - so glad it was a dream. I anxiously jumped out of bed before the sun and did my morning routine as quickly as I could, informing Bruce I was going to be tied up writing all morning.


When I forced myself to stop writing because I have many things that have to be done today, I had written 2,009 words, the beginning of a short story - or who knows - a novel. Then I also realized one of the panel members had quoted Stephen King as saying someting on the lines that if you ever want to even slightly be considered as a serious writer, you need to write 2,000 words a day. I smiled a little.


I am not one to give writing advice. I still don't think I know what I am doing. But I wanted to share another thought that came to mind from this experience. That is if you have dreams and goals, it is so the important to surround yourself with like minded people who have success in the area that you also wish to have success in. Success is different for everyone and I am not going to define that for you. But if you want to get good at something, you must listen to those that have gone before you.


Don't listen to those who tell you that you can't do something. Or that you are not good enough or smart enough. Because if you do enough research, you will find that there was someone who has done it and who started less off than your starting point.


Maybe writing books, painting a mastetpiece, or backpacking isn't your thing like it is mine, but the concept is the same. If you want to be good at something, seek out the wisdom of those who have talent in that area and forget the naysayers. Or use them as fuel to feed your dreams.


Happy Hiking,


Emily

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