A Short One Worth Your While
I know a lot of people who like quiet books. Quiet movies. People just kind of sitting around talking.
That’s not for me.
Vince Gilligan used to talk about Breaking Bad and said at some point you had to have a little showmanship. I’m probably messing that quote up, but think of all the great moments you love from movies and TV. Gus Fring gets his comeuppance. Uncle June accidentally shooting Tony. The reveal in the Usual Suspects.
These are BIG moments. Not a small quiet scene in a diner (wait, is that a cool scene too)? The small quiet scenes should pave the way for the big moments. The big swings.
As I’m working on a book that marks a comeback for me, I want it to be worth it for readers. The experience, the book, should matter. It shouldn’t be small.
It should be worth it.
People are spending a few days reading this. You are taking up their time. Make it worth their while. I want readers to fill big moments in their gut. I want them to cry. Or cheer—that moment when the portals open in Endgame. That is an earned big moment ten years in the making and damn you want to pump your fist.
I want to do similar. Jaws drops. A big twist. A victory. A defeat. I want you invested in my characters and I want them to make you feel.
But I don’t want it to be quiet. I want it to be big.
Give readers the big moments.
Put on a show.
That’s what we’re here for, right?