“Don’t mistake a good setup for a satisfying conclusion.”
--Stanley Schmidt
So I’ve had soda on my mind.
You know the feel of a cold can, slick with condensation? There’s nothing like picking up your favorite soda, feeling the coolness, and anticipating that first crisp POP! of the top. I love the way it feels when the first sip explodes over your tongue and fizzes in your mouth. Those first several tastes are perfect—in every way satisfying.
You know what isn’t satisfying? When the soda can is cool and crisp, ready for that perfect pop! and then you have to put it down before you can have the first electric taste. It sits for a while, gently fizzing, and the carbonation flattens. You take several sips and while they’re still carbonated, the fizz isn’t very strong and the soda’s gotten warm.
Disappointing, yes? [Forewarning: L.T. is going to be opinionated here.]
Well, that’s exactly how I feel when reading a story with the element of romance and the characters pop the top way before the tension’s gotten right—or the can isn’t cold. That’s exactly how it feels to me when the characters “get what they want” before the story is near the end. (No, I’m not talking about sex.)
Let me make it a bit more clear. I think the element of romance is necessary in any well crafted story, be it romance between people or between a hero and an ideal. That said, let’s pretend that I’m referring to the romance between a Hero and Heroine.
A story really falls flat for me when the Hero declares his undying love way too early. It’s kind of like someone sprayed cheez whiz all over the last 50 pages of a book. I hate it when the “struggle” between the love interests is resolved and then the Hero goes from Hawt to Naught.
What happened to that sexy guy who pushed all the wrong buttons and yet did it so right? What happened to that strong, well-formed character (not just in body) who had a definitive personality? I didn’t just spend 250 pages reading about a lion to end up with a beanie baby instead.
And the heroine? I hate it when she’s feisty, strong, and determined to get to the bottom of things only to settle for half-truths and forget all about the danger they’re currently in just because he gives her a peck and a “love ya, babe.” She’ll then spend the next 20 pages ruminating on what their kids names should be and if she can embroider “Snufflekins” on all of the hero’s pillowcases.
Likewise, I’m not a fan of the shaken soda can that doubles as an afternoon shower and makeup remover. The tension’s pretty great throughout the story and then BAM! It’s over. No resolution. I know I sound contradictory here but let’s put it this way: It’s all about the timing.
I went to a great conference last year where an author talked about the elements of romance and when to end things right. She said that you should end near the declaration but with enough space for minor wrap-up. Resolution without cheese.
In my own words, chill the can, open it up, and give me a first explosive taste. Follow it up with a few delectable sips and let me relax with a pleased, “Ahh. That hit the spot.”
And please, whatever you do, don’t put my hero in a Snuggie. (Sorry, Kristina.)
Phew! Did you survive that rant? Tell me, what are your opinions on this issue?
--L.T.
41 comments:
Haha. You mean, a Snuggie isn't masculine? What about a camo Snuggie?
What a great analogy. That tension or fizz is what makes a story memorable and worth reading!
This was a funny funny post. I LOVED it. Funny how so many men end up being all snuggied up covered in cheese whiz?
jen
Romance is tricky, hence the reason I don't write it. But I agree romantic elements exist in most captivating stories.
When the romantic thread appeared in my own WIP I was the first shocked soul. But I love the twist it brings. I hope to execute it in the most satisfying way. I can say that I don't see the kind of happily ever after most readers would expect.
Love the way you talk, my friend! And I know exactly how you feel. For me, it's characters not remaining true to themselves, or circumstances being twisted and bent to accommodate some contrived conclusion.
And I suspect that you're not talking about "romance" in narrowly defined terms. It's more the connection between characters, or the author and her story, or the story and the reader. Even with the "willing suspension of disbelief", there has to remain a certain integrity throughout the telling of the story.
Your hero may well be a three-headed tree sloth with a short fuse and a winning smile, but as long as he's still all of those things at the end of the story, I'll follow him all the way!
Totally agree. I wonder if the changes to my story have improved the tension.
Guess, I'll have to wait and see.
Great post Laura, as always
When you get a novel published, L.T., I am buying it. You can write.
I once posted about the obstacles in a well-written romance: guy and girl originating from two different spheres, building the relationship on a lie, love is forbidden, etc. I'm actually okay with the hero or heroine proclaiming his/her undying love early on, but then there must be an enormous obstacle preventing them from their happily ever after until the end of the story.
LOVED your soda metaphor.
I think you may have helped me figure out why I don't like certain books when I read them.
Love your metaphors.
Love the nod to the Snuggie here! My sis got a pink one for Christmas & I must say I was a tad bit jealous!
As with cheese & writing, I think it's important to tuck away the can of Cheese Whiz at all times.
Lately I've been sipping some poetry (working on a Segullah deadline) and trying to be cheeseless in my writing. It's hard as I have a gooey, emotional side that sometimes spills out in to my writing.
Resolution without cheese. I like it. I just may make a bumper sticker with this on it now!!
I'm pretty easy going I think. I would say it totally depends on the story, but to make any story really good, timing is certainly key. I am with you on the shaking the soda pop thing. I am not a fan of building up a relationship only to have it never happen, but then I love a good happy ending.
First, I love that picture of the dog in the snuggie. That is priceless.
Second, you are beyond right, and not only for romance. But for all fiction, I think. I can't stand characters who are dumb, or do things in high-stress situations that simply don't make sense.
And the resolution always has to come pretty soon after the declaration, whatever that declaration is.
Great post!
Great post Laura - so true. I can't relate to the soda pop analogy though because I don't like carbonation, but great description. I hate books like you describe. I want a book to end with nice satisfying declaration of love and then a resolution that leaves nothing wanting. That's why cliff-hanger endings are so hard to like. They leave us wanting more, but I always feel edgy after reading them and instead of satisfied.
Totally agree. Good tension is ALL about the timing. I hate it when books have the climax 100 (or even 20) pages from the end and the rest of the book is all wrap up. Gah! Why should I even finish it it if there's no tension left?
Great rant and I completely agree!
It is so important to wrap up without fizzling out. Keeping the (in your analogy) carbonation in the story throughout is hard and I think there are a lot of stories that lose that, going flat before the end.
Thanks for bringing it up! Thought-provoking post!
Wonderful assessment. And there's nothing better than a cold can of soda!!!
I hate it when they declare their undying love way too early in the story. I remember a book that I quit reading for that exact same reason.
Timing, like tension, shouldn't be a convenience, but an absolute. Thanks for putting it so succinctly.
I don't write or read romance, but feel your point applies to all fiction. Great analogy. (I'm into fizzy water myself :)
Beautiful analogy. And dog in a Snuggie? Priceless!
Ummm...I hope you were talking about my book. I be shakin' in me boots. I diddo all the comments on you being a great writer and I LOVE the soda pop analogy. In fact, I'm quoting you on my blog today, so take a look later. Hugs
www.christinebryant.blogspot.com
Awesome analogy! Very funny!
Snuggie, LOL.
Great suggestions. I'm actually writing LDS romance right now, so I guess we'll soon see if I wrote a "soda romance" or not. :-)
Darvell
But I love my 'Snufflekins' pillows! =]
What a fantastic analogy! I completely understand the anticipation, the physical sensation of both a good romance/story and my Diet Dr Pepper.
It seems as soon as I've been spoiled by a well written, well delivered romance, nothing else will do. Hmm, now how do I create that?
Wonderful post!
How many posts did I miss? Another great post!
Love the dog in the Snuggie. That made me laugh out loud, so I have to post. I agree and disagree. I agree with everything you said, but I think sometimes it's okay to declare the love early. IF. If something happens to separate the two main characters after. A big something. And it takes the rest of the book to resolve it. Then there's another declaration of love at the end. Those are actually my favorite kind. Thanks for making me laugh.
I read your post up above and was wondering what this one was about.
Love. It.
I am 100% with you on the whole wolf/puppy thing. The wolf should be tamed, not turned in to a weenie--I mean wiener dog.
I think you make a great point but I might be a little more in Susan's camp. Especially since I write pretty much straight romance. There's not a lot of intrigue to keep the characters separated in my plots so it's always challenging to think of a realistic way to keep two characters apart who really like each other while staying true to the character. Ah, my daily writing conundrum.
Yes! I'm new to your blog and I think I love you already.
Except I haven't had a soda in 20 years, but other than that I agree with everything you just wrote.
I watched a movie recently (albeit a chick flick) and felt EXACTLY like that.
It's like they started to build up the tension and drama and decided half way through, to hell with it, lets just put them together and be done with it.
Very annoying for someone who rarely watches movies anymore.
"Resolution without cheese." - Love that.
And yes, I completely agree, in art and in life.
Oh girl! Lots of stuff going on here! Do I dare ask what you read? haha!
I totally agree, I think romance is awesome in any story and it adds more to the plot and such. But love being declared too early sucks, I wanna see the ruthless tries, the aching for more, the parts where they know they shouldn't but they do anyways, it all has to be done just right.
You need to read Must Love Hellhounds Story Collections--paranormal romance with kick ass females and oh so hot guys--it's fabulous! Who knew Paranormal Romance was hot!
Hope you had a great New Year! =D
This is an awesome post!! perfectly described. And you are totally right.
What a great analogy! I love it when a book grabs me from the first page. I have, on more than one occasion, stopped the reading of a book because it never progressed and I found myself zoning out because the story held no interest for me. As I continue to hone my writing akills I will remember your great advice. Take care.
Tension is such a critical part of a story. Great post!
Very well said! I've noticed the wolf to snuggie deal in a lot of books where a horrid, awful person becomes gentle and nice simply because they fell in love. Love doesn't fix people. It brings out the best and worst in people, and a wolf doesn't become a snuggie by falling in love - unless they are hiding their true self, but that's no resolution, either.
Great post!
I am extremely opinionated about the way I like a novel to be crafted. And I truly understand what you mean here. That drives me nuts too.
I wrote Miss D for a class. When I read the chapter about the carriage wreck there was a part where Sir A reached out to touch Miss D in a romantic way. As I was reading it out loud, my teacher (a tall, red-headed, bright blue-eyed, 80 year old stick of a woman who was Grandaunt Regina in every way but height) yelled "Too soon!" It's the first time it occured to me that something like that could happen "too soon". I took it out--she was right and so are you.
I Love LT:) Still.
Chelsea
ps-I started blogging again. It's not the same as before. I have a small farm and it's more about that. Still about me, just not so intense;)
I really want a Cherry Coke now. :)
I know what you mean. The best part of a romance is the tension. I especially love a couple who hate each other in the beginning.
Great post!
One of the things I love hanging around writers blogs for is that it gives me new things to look for in writing. I'm totally going to be looking for this now.
Wow, Laura! This post was so well thought out and written! I know exactly what you mean--that is why I have stopped reading Adult Romances and have gone to YA romances. They are sweeter and less feisty and sex-oriented.
It has been my goal to meet your desired effects of satisfying romantic 'pop' in your mouth!
I so value your thoughts and would love, one of these days, for you to read one of my romances. You can let me know if it quenches your thirst!
((hugs!))
I am right there with ya.
I love it when people get what they want and/or the story ends great (personally I'm not one that can handle the hard deep wrenching, 'this is for your own good' life is full of crap so you should read about it too sorta books). With that said I hate books that are finished in the middle but still have 100 pages left to read. Timing for a book is like location to Real Estate.
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