NO MORE PLOT SUMMARY!

When you write about what you're reading, I don't want to know what happens in your book. If I want to know what's happening, I'll read the book myself. In fact, if you think about it, you're doing the author a disservice by paraphrasing his or her writing. Novels are more than just a good story. I do want to know why you like the book, why I might like the book, what you notice about the book, what you don't like about it, or how it compares to other things you've read. That's just a start. In the second paragraph of the instructions for the literature blog are a number of suggestions:

"In your postings tell what you felt when you read a book and why. Tell what you noticed about how the author wrote. Tell why you think he or she wrote this way. Tell what you liked and didn’t and why. Tell how you read a book and why. Tell what a book said and meant to you. Tell what it reminded you of—what other books or experiences from your own life. Tell what surprised you. Ask questions or for help."

For your next posting, pick two of these commands and follow them. Also, if you have not yet, read the post "Responding as Writers." When you despair that you have nothing to say, answer the questions posed in this post.

josiah