Welcome

Welcome to my Writing blog. If you're interested in my comments about "My Favorite Things," my articles for yourLDSneighborhood.com, and Life in general, click here. For a direct link to my website, click rondahinrichsen.com.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Why We Read: VICARIOUS EXPERIENCE

We read for many reasons, such asto gain knowledge or to escape the everyday pressures of life. But as an author, what also concerns me is 1) what makes a novel catch fire in the hearts of modern readers, and 2) how can I meet that requirement?
Through study and observation, I’ve concluded that novel readers mostly seek a vicarious experience. David Farland seems to agree for he’s described this concept, at least in part, as the physical responses people have to the novel. Reader’s endorphins react, he details, to the obstacles, emotions, and climax of the story.

Which leads to my next question. If vicarious experience is key, then how do I as a writer, create that experience? In answer, I’ve looked to some of my favorite writers and I’ve determined that at least three elements are critical: mystery, detail, and restraint.

Take Stephenie Meyers, for example. Not because I enjoyed her Twilight series—which I did--and definitely not because I crave vampires—for I absolutely don’t—but because Meyers has the ability to make her stories come to life, to make readers feel as if they are living in the moment, and to give life to her words in such a way that they jump off the page. She knows how to create vicarious experiences.

For instance, consider Twilight’s revelation scene when Edward allows Bella to figure out who he is. There in the restaurant, the reader already guesses Edward is a vampire, so that in itself creates mystery and nervous emotion—suspense--in the reader. Then, throughout the discussion, Meyers incorporates tiny details that describe how the couple responds to each other as well as a sense of Edward’s physical restraint. The following few sentences, alone, depict what I mean, but as you look through that entire section of the book, you can see numerous, similar examples:

“I scowled, but nodded. He moved his hand out from under mine, placing both of his under the table. But he leaned toward me.”

If you’re anything like me, you’ll notice both your heartbeat and breathing kick up a notch just from the memory of that scene or from the sentences I’ve quoted here. That’s vicarious experience. So that’s what I work to create in my own writing. Have I succeeded? Only you, my reader, can answer that question.
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"Sweet" Romance Giveaway!

Our sweet romance group on goodreads has reached the 400 member mark! To celebrate, we're holding a giveaway and 19 prizes are up for grabs, including a copy of TRAPPED. Just click here for the details.
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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

TRAPPED REVIEWS

With my blog tour in full swiong and misc reviews popping up around the web, I've begun a review list in my sidebar. If you like supernatural thrillers, you ought to check out my reviews. Here is the latest from The Book Whisperer:

As one of only two books that Hinrichsen has published I am very impressed about the quality of this book. I found it to be a very entertaining read that was not at all what I had expected. As a new author naturally the novel incorporated moments that I was able to clearly recognize that I was dealing with a new writer; although impressively it was few and far between. Her character and story line were very original, and the detail to which she wrote without overloading the story had me on the edge of my seat. This is an author that has definitely proven her abilities, and I look for her to have a very promising future in the writing world. With the number of books I have read it is hard to find a novel that totally Blind Sides me. It was truly appreciated and enjoyed.
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Monday, August 9, 2010

MY BLOG TOUR

If you haven't seen the info about my blog tour, here it is. :) Enjoy!



A Forged Letter, A Golden Vial, An Ancient
Curse...

Filled with family secrets, intrigue, and romance
the blog tour (August 9-August 24) for
Trapped by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen will have it all.We will be giving away THREE autographed copies!

All you have to do is leave a comment
(along with your email address if it isn't on your blog profile)
and answer the following question.

Which Austrian city would you most like to visit?
The more blogs you comment on the more entries you'll receive.
All comments must be left by midnight MST on August 27 to be eligible.
Her expression remained somber, but excitement crept into her voice. You are the Firstborn She...You must go to them.

You want me to act as bait?

Not bait, Emi. A spy. Our Trojan horse.

When Emi Warrin wakes one night to find a thief in her mother's house, she has no idea the intruder has planted a trap - a mysterious letter that will change her life forever. Lured to the Austrian Alps with Daniel, the man she loves, Emi is thrown into a perilous, mafia-like world of feuding families and a devastating curse that spans generations. As the Firstborn She - the only firstborn female in hundreds of years - only Emi can free her family from the curse
that will soon afflict her as well. But for Emi to break the curse, she must delve into evil designs.

As Emi struggles to understand her destiny as the Firstborn She, she learns that everything isn't as it seems and that all choices have consequences. Can Emi break the curse before it's too late?

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