In writing a book...?

Question

I'm writing a book. It takes place in 1915, in Florence, Italy. The main topic is about rights and justice, and maybe a little romance (because the main character, which is a girl, falls in love with a boy). I don't want to give away the plot because I wouldn't want to risk it being copied...but I think that I'm making things a little too dramatic in the novel.

Could someone give me their opinion on how often this problem may occur (making things too dramatic in the novel) and how dangerous it could be? And to the writers, does this ever happen to you? Oh, and also your thoughts on what genre this novel I'm writing would be? Please ask to elaborate a little if needed. thnx!!!

Thanks for answer, egn18s. I've asked other questions and it was so frustrating because not a lot of people answered! Thanks

Oh my gosh,these are such fantastic answers!! I have no idea who I'm going to choose as best answer!!!!

I agree with "Persipho..." - the research on the setting is very important, and I believe that's one of my weak spots. I would need to work on it a lot. Thanks everyone!

Wow these answers are amaaaaaaaazzzing!

Answer 1

I think 1915 Italy sounds like a wonderful setting for a book--with WWI, and all the new political philosophies rising, like fascism and nationalism.

As to your level of drama, it's important to find a balance and keep things realistic. If your story is crisis after crisis, then you should probably work on some quieter scenes. Readers need some relief of tension. (Think about movies you've seen where the characters are in the middle of some really dramatic moment, and one of them cracks a joke or tosses off a one-liner--it relieves a bit of the tension and keeps the audience engaged. The same philosophy works in books.)

And characters, if they are to be realistic as people, should not be asked to maintain that level of performance. They'll have to crash sometime.

If you give your characters some breathing room, then you'll give your readers some breathing room, as well. The point of highest drama should be at the climax of your story.

It's easy, though, when you hit a down point in your story, to throw in some kind of trauma, drama, crisis, or emergency. It's a common problem. Keep the goal of your story in mind and make sure that each scene you write moves you closer to that goal.

Answer 2

I just attended a meeting of the California Writer's Club, and Darryl Brock was the guest speaker. He has written three historical novels. The research he put into them was amazing, to bring the times and the characters to life and make the narrative believable.
You can do it, too, but it is a A LOT of work.

About the dramatic issue: I think you should just write it, and then see how dramatic it is. As you work, you may find that you are making a better novel than you planned, or that it is not as big an issue as you feared.
After you finish your first draft, you can adjust it to get the novel you want to end up with.

Best wishes,
James

Answer 3

I would say, don't worry about your level of drama right now--just plow on through to the end. Then when the novel is finished, let it simmer for two weeks. Then print it out and make notes in the margins about what to change to improve the novel. What seems overly dramatic now may not seem as bad when you're reading it fresh from the beginning after a break from writing every day. Also, what seems overly dramatic to you right now may just thrill an editor with how dramatic it is--you never know.
The genre sounds like historical romance.

Answer 4

The level of dramatics doesn't concern me as much as the level of research and accuracy does. If you have spent the time and fully researched the time and the place, then you should be fine. This would be considered historical fiction. Have you read The Fig Eater? Takes place in Vienna about that time. The author spent nine months of research before she wrote a word. She searched used bookshops and found books on the period. Her detail on the city was tremendous. It was as though you were there. It was a very dramatic story, but her fabulous tour of the city at the time balanced it off.
----
They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.

Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

Pax - C

Answer 5

I think the level of dramaticness (which isn't a word but I'm sure you know what I mean) can differ depending on the tone or style that you're going for.

If you want it to be dramatic, then a high level of drama is okay. but if your own book seems overly dramatic and cheesy to you, the author, then chances are it will seem that way to most readers.

Answer 6

I decide an outstanding e book, purely like i'd decide an outstanding action picture. My variety one rule is, if it makes me cry, it is handed my attempt. i like books that make me sense as though the characters and their circumstances are actual. i desire to forget that i'm even examining. an outstanding e book is one that keeps you up into the early hours of the morning. you finally end up crying, shaking in concern or exhilaration. those are the books that are "pores and skin breaking" for my section. So some human beings would love Twilight, different's hate it. as long because it made somebody, someplace get those chills and goosebumps, it is considered an outstanding e book in my head. properly-written would not neccessarily advise it has to have extensive vocab and maximum of information you do no longer even understand what's occurring, to me it purely ability that the author knows of what she or he's doing with their tale. Oh properly, i'm rambling, so i will supply up. yet in fact, an outstanding e book has to snatch you by making use of the hair and throw you right into a international you on no account knew existed and go away you awe-struck and perplexed while it is over.

Answer 7

okay- here's the thing:
good, but not great. i dont mean to be like simon cowell, but i am afraid i have to be.

rights and justice= uninteresting for the younger generations (if the book is aimed at the younger generations) but interesting for the older generations.

im currently writing a book, and it's for my age group (teenagers). i do not write drama, but things do get dramatic in the story.

quite frankly, it isn't too bad if you over dramamtise things a little so long as you have a basic plot of your story with you. so, basically, keep to your plot (if you have one) and dont be afraid to over do the drama if the story calls for it.