Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
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The awesome co-hosts for the October 5th posting are: Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox!
October Question: What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre? If you want to read a variety of different responses, then hop around to the different blogs.
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Epistolary novels are fun to read and write because you get perspective from each character. There are other ways to approach that (the omniscient viewpoints), but the structure of a series of letters, journal entries, etc. is more fun sometimes.
When someone writes a letter, they provide the overall story with some important details. There is less description of surroundings and less “‘Let’s go to the mall,’ said Robin” type prose. That can make for a more fast-paced story.
Epistolary form can also provide a way to contrast a character’s reactions to a situation. For example, the main character will respond to an insulting email from a customer in one way, but will text her real feelings of outrage to her best friend. You get an extra layer of character development with one scenario!*
Epistolary novels are cool!
I hope everyone has a great weekend. Try not to be sad that summer is over. Yeah, fall is awesome, whatever, but I am already missing the warm weather.
Peace and love!
*This happens in real life, too. I am writing in my blog how much I love epistolary novels, but later I will be writing “Is this a stupid idea?” in the margins of my work in progress! I’m kidding. (A bit.)
Word Philosopher 