Well, best intentions! Last post was September 26th. After the first of the year, I hope to have more time. I’m going to fight to the bitter end to keep writing!
Last clichés:
Lo and Behold— Can you believe it! What a surprise! the old word lo means “see”, or “look.” this dates from mid-19th century. Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote (Night and Morning, cited by the OED), “The fair bride was skipping…when lo and behold! the whiskered gentleman advanced.”
Not to be Sneezed At— Not to be dismissed. This term probably comes from turning up one’s nose at something to express contempt, was already currently in the early 19th century. (Sir Walter Scott, letter, 1813) states: “As I am situated…a year is not to be sneezed at.”
Lock, Stock and Barrel— All of something, the entire thing. Originally the term meant all three elements of a firearm–the lock or firing mechanism, the stock or handle, and the barrel or tube. It transferred to the entirety of anything in the early 19th century, although for a time it was also put as stock, lock, and barrel.
Last time I promised to talk about “How to Build Suspense.” There are about eight steps.
- The conventional wisdom is start with The Ticking Clock–it’s fast action. Things get worse and worse.
- Slow Down— stretch out time, merge the scenes. Use sensory details to slow down. Torture the reader.
- Add More Peril— Raise the stakes. Put your hero/heroine on the razor’s edge. For example: character jumps into the river and it has piranhas and tribesman along the shore are blowing darts. Increase inner turmoil, or you can isolate the heroine. Put obstacles in their way.
- The reader knows something you don’t know –-i.e. the hero walks down the stairs into the basement and the reader knows the killer is down there.
Lend your ear to this blog, and next time I will give you the next four steps to building suspense.
I’m also working on a new book, Enemy at Home. Comment and I might write a sample.
Until next time, Keep Writing!
Julie
