Need

In writing, need has to be present. I’m understanding the development involved and can’t help seeing a comparison when building a relationship. Why should a reader want to know your characters? Why are the most minute details so important? It’s no different when you’re considering spending the rest of your life with someone.

Neither is really a game but you have a little more leeway in writing that once you’re serious, you realize how many layers you really have to delve and what rules already existing must be followed.

Many layers. Forgive me, I have to thank my editor for always asking me one simple question, “What does that mean?” What does it mean to you, what are you conveying to the reader, why is it crucial to the story, all wrapped up in a single phrase.

It’s like when a partner asks you something you are now devoted to wondering what does that question mean to them, why are they asking, and if you can’t provide an answer then the story is far from complete. Nothing is ever quite what you think it is at first. Building upon each layer of a character, setting up a scene, even the beats that help relay emotion and expression has its own intrinsic purpose.

This exchange of dialogue must be explored thoroughly so that you can explain it to yourself why you need to write and why you must commit it to paper. Yes you caught me, that was a segue to commitment.