{"id":10346,"date":"2022-06-05T22:20:46","date_gmt":"2022-06-06T04:20:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pjmaclayne.com\/?p=10346"},"modified":"2022-06-05T22:20:50","modified_gmt":"2022-06-06T04:20:50","slug":"teetering-in-the-middle-openbook-blog-hop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pjmaclayne.com\/?p=10346","title":{"rendered":"Teetering In The Middle #OpenBook Blog Hop"},"content":{"rendered":"

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June 6, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

How do you balance making demands on the reader with taking care of the reader?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are times we authors ask a lot of our readers. We ask them to believe that there’s a world out there where the sky is green, or that shifters live among us. Or maybe it’s something as simple as a jewel thief falling in love with a librarian. The readers are asked to believe that something seemingly impossible is true.<\/p>\n

At the same time, we have to make sure the readers are comfortable enough with the characters and the story to keep turning the page. Are they expecting romance? Or suspense? They should be included.<\/p>\n

Just this afternoon, I had a conversation with my mother about my latest release, “The Fall of Jake Hennessey” and how it makes her uncomfortable when she’s reading it and she meant it as a compliment. After all, my main character, Jake Hennessey, is not a good guy, but I’ve asked the reader to connect with him as he’s robbing a hotel safe or breaking into a mansion and rejoice with him when he succeeds. I’m not surprised that made my mother hesitant.<\/p>\n

Writing Jake at his worst was hard, so I tried to balance his actions as a villain by including scenes where he’s shown as a decent guy. However, I left it up to the reader to decide if he’s truly doing it from the goodness of his heart or if it’s a way to manipulate the characters he’s involved with. Of course, he’s met his match In Harmony Duprie.<\/p>\n

As usual, Harmony’s mind was a step ahead of his.<\/em><\/p>\n

She picked up an armload of the books from her coffee table and carried them to the bookshelf. \u201cThere’s always a rational explanation for two people getting together. But not us,\u201d she said as she returned them to their places. \u201cWhy can’t I find it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Harmony was slipping out of Jake’s grasp. Which meant he’d lose his chance at The Three Musketeers, the prize he’d been working for. But the longer he was around her, the more he realized she was the real prize. \u201cIsn’t that like asking the meaning of life?\u201d he asked.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you working in the construction business, Jake?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The abrupt change in topic sent his mind spinning. \u201cBecause I like to eat. Why?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou keep going all philosophical on me, and I can’t tie the two things together. What would you do if money wasn’t an issue?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

He couldn’t tell her about the joy he got from a successful heist. \u201cYou know what I’d really like to do? Bring old houses back to life. That’s what brought me to Oak<\/em> Grove.”
From The Fall of Jake Hennessey<\/strong><\/p>\n

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I believe that it’s part of an author’s job to challenge their readers. How much is up to each of us. Finding the right balance can be tough and can change from story to story.<\/p>\n

How do the other authors feel about challenging their readers? Follow the links below to find out.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As always, until next time, please stay safe.<\/p>\n

June 6, 2022<\/p>\n

How do you balance making demands on the reader with taking care of the reader?<\/p>\n

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit\/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet\/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.<\/p>\n

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You are invited to the Inlinkz<\/strong> link party!<\/p>\r\nClick here to enter<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n