How much drama is too much drama? At what point does it start to be too soap opera like?
My main character has gone through a lot. She's lost loved ones through death, and loved ones due to betrayal. She's seen a killer and his victim. She's also being stalked, someone wants her dead.
Eventually the reader finds out how her loved ones died, and why her trust was betrayed, but the reasons given are dramatic reasons.
I'm worried at some point, the reader or agent will want to roll their eyes and think, "Oh brother."
Then on the other hand, if I've done my job, the reader or agent will gasp in horror, feel sad, or be shocked and surprised, depending on what they've just read.
Can anybody answer the question: How do you tell when there is too much drama in a book? Is that even possible?
My first instinct is to say a novel can never have too much drama! That's what makes fiction fun--all of the twists and turns, heartache and dilemmas, and opportunities for characters to grow. I think good drama moves the story along and reveals who the characters are along the way.
ReplyDeleteI had some drama in my novel drafts that did not ring true at all--plot points that felt silly and forced. So I would say as long as you feel that your plot points ring true for your story, you should be fine. :)
Hi Megan. I'm not sure if I replied to your comment, this blog business confuses me. :) Anyways, thanks so much for your feedback. Since this post, I've finished my book and have had a partial request. Crossing my fingers. Thanks again. :)
DeleteMaryAnn
I agree with Megan that a novel can never have too much drama. I think the "soap opera" issue only comes into play if the writing is over the top, so that the action and dialogue start to feel melodramatic. A good rule of thumb is that the bigger the events and emotions are in a given scene, the more measured the writing needs to be.
ReplyDeleteHopefully this replay is "better late than never". Thank you so much for your feedback. Believe it or not, it helped me. My book is now finished. WhooHoo! :)
DeleteThanks again.
MaryAnn
I have always leaned toward historical fiction where at the end of the read I have learned something about that time period. I think people are weaned on tele novellas today and as such expect the high drama on every turn of the page which requires little character development; does that mean that a good write has to fit into those precepts? I believe a good novelist engages the writer with his or her craft using whatever methods are their fingerprint.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the visit.
I'm so sorry I didn't reply sooner. I loved your comment, very thought provoking and helpful.
DeleteThank you! :)
MaryAnn