Writing and endurance - an analogy #amwriting

I'm reading an ms about a girl with strange abilities and the author mentioned she'd gone back and forth between dumping details about the powers and the current version, which is kind of bare bones when it comes to information.

I think all authors struggle with our beginnings - what is the right starting point, but also, what is too much information vs too little.

An analogy jumped to my mind that I thought I'd share. It might make sense, or it might not!

I'm an endurance rider, typically aspiring to ride 50 miles within 12 hours. At some point, horses figure out this is endurance, not sprints, but when they first get the competition bug, they think it's all about going fast. If I were to let a new horse do what he wants for speed, we'll gallop 15+ mph for 10-15 miles and he'll have nothing left.

I expect this is the same for marathon runners.

On the other end of the spectrum, if I fight my horse and force him to walk, when we've trained at the trot, his mind will just lose it. Either he'll start bucking or just give up and lose all interest in going forward. Kind of like putting down a book that either has no action or is withholding information. Either I'll get hurt or we'll be out on the trail way too long.

Walking a mall slowly kills my back and I just want people to get out of my way!

So, what's the middle ground analogy? This is also something very specific I learned riding endurance. If I keep my horse just under the pace we've trained at and he wants to go, with a few rewards of faster speed on good footing, he'll want to go all day. Cantering across the finish line on a horse that feels like he hasn't worked at all is an amazing feeling.

Just like ripping through a book, enjoying all the highs and lows, explosions and introspections, wanting more - and getting just enough. The reader is rewarded with information, tension, release of tension, and a solid, well-rounded conclusion.

What do you think? Does this analogy work for you, even if you're not into horses? Do you have comparisons in your life that work the same way?

Best in Blogs May 10-16 #amwriting #amreading

Here's some of my favorite blogs. I'd be thrilled if you'd share one of yours in the comments!

StoryFix 2.0
One of the best writing craft blogs - Larry Brooks
"We’re all looking for an edge. Sometimes that search confines itself to the realm of story as a definable essence… a better concept, a stronger premise, a firmer command of craft."

Miss Snark's First Victim
Time to get ready for May's Secret Agent contest!
"Please note: This is NOT the call for submissions! The contest will open next Monday, May 18.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES (please read carefully):"

Writer Unboxed
Writing craft and so much more - today, the BIG question
"When my son was small and not overly-verbal, he went through a phase where he’d point at something (or at nothing) and ask one of journalism’s Five W’s (plus one H). Just the one, single word. “Which?” he’d say, jabbing a stubby finger at the sky. Or he’d point in the direction of a worm wriggling blindly on the sidewalk and ask, “When?” While we’d be driving along I-5, he’d spot a 747 in the clouds and chirp, “How?”

Janet Reid, Literary Agent
A great question and even better answer!
"When an agent says they want a brief synopsis, what does that mean? I know you can't read the minds of other agents but would you assumethat means one page? two pages? six pages?"

Michelle 4 Laughs
Opportunity for published authors who've participated in one of Michelle's great contests!
"I'm starting a new series of posts as we wait for Query Kombat time to arrive. They are called Help Out a Veteran, because all the authors will be veterans of one of my contests!"


Got a favorite writing blog? Enter a link in the comments below so we can all check it out!