The Library of Spanking Fiction: Wellred Weekly
|
||||||
|
Articles
Items of interest regarding all things spanking
|
||||||
|
|
What Makes a Great Spanking Novel? What makes a spanking book good? The answer to this question is largely subjective as it is based on the interests of the reader. That said there are still certain basic components of a book that must be present in order for the book to be a hit. The elements that make a good spanking book are largely the same as those required to make a good non-spanking book. A book, with or without spanking (although 'with spanking' is always better in my opinion), must have developed characters, a gripping plot, expressive writing, and emotional impact. First and foremost, an author needs to develop the main characters in the novel. The best way to grip readers is to start with characters that people can relate to. The more the reader can relate to a character, the more they will enjoy the book. The characters in a book need to have goals, depth, strengths, and flaws. To leave out any of these elements is to leave a novel incomplete. One of the most common weaknesses that I see with character development in spanking fiction is when the character is made out to be a caricature of a spanking cliché. A strong dominant male character can and should have flaws. To make the dominant male so strong and absolute in his morals is not believable. Likewise, the submissive woman who ends up over the knee need not be weak or passive. A talented writer can develop a strong leading lady that makes believable and understandable mistakes; mistakes she has to atone for over the knee. The world is not just black and white, but contains an infinite number of vivid colors. Authors shouldn't limit their pallets when creating characters so that they fit the genre's stereotypes. It's better to use some color and get a little messy. One of the most important things you need in a spanking novel, besides spanking, is a good story. Writing a hot spanking scene is certainly appreciated, but it is for nothing if the reader loses interest due to a flat plot line. When developing the story, the author needs to think beyond spanking. The story is the backbone of the book. A spanking novel will be a success, in my opinion, if you can remove all of the spanking scenes and still have a story that is worth reading. The most common issue I see with plots in spanking books is predictability. In order for a book to be a page turner that keeps the reader on the edge of her seat, it needs an element of suspense. There needs to be something that the reader hasn't figured out yet that will keep them interested and engaged. The spanking part of the book will keep someone reading, but it won't be enough for them to recommend the book to others. It is much better to develop a stellar story and spice it up with spanking then to try to create a story out of a spanking scene. There are some storylines that are a bit overdone in this genre. I cannot tell you how many stories I have read where the leading lady drinks too much, gets caught stealing, gets a speeding ticket, or overdraws her checking account. Yes, all of these situations lead immediately to her being upended and spanked, but they are a dime a dozen. The book that stands out is the one that can come up with a new way for a gal to find mischief, get caught, and end up with a sore tush for her trouble. Another way to keep the reader engaged is with expressive writing. It is one thing to tell a story about a couple starting a marriage based on domestic discipline but it is quite another to make the reader feel the emotions of the characters while they read it. The reader should feel butterflies the first time the new bride is told she will face a spanking; or the doubt and turmoil going through her mind as she is pulled over the knee for the first time. A good book allows the reader to experience these emotions alongside the characters. To keep the reader invested in the story, an author should try to subtly introduce background information about the characters in small doses throughout the story. It is disheartening to have pages and pages of background at the onset of the book before you've had a chance to get to know or relate to the characters. It is best when authors allow the reader to learn about a character's past while experiencing their present. Now that we've talked about character development and storylines, let's focus on the fun stuff: spanking. When starting to write a spanking scene, an author needs to elaborate on the details. Some readers love the crime, others are attracted to the notion of getting caught and scolded, and some just savor the spanking. An author needs to please everyone and therefore can't gloss over any of these elements. Sometimes the buildup to a spanking is more important to the reader than the actual spanking itself. Some say "the devil is in the details" and with spanking fiction, this couldn't be more accurate. Another common issue in spanking fiction occurs when the spanking scenes do not fit seamlessly into the overall story. A situation or chapter shouldn't be created simply to add discipline to the story. A spanking should occur naturally in the story and should not be forced. The story should be cohesive and consistent from the beginning of the book to the end. Many spanking books have distinct chapters that do not relate to one another. Each chapter will start with a new situation that ultimately ends with a spanking. Once the spanking has been doled out, the chapter is over. This type of writing is perfect for websites that publish stories a chapter at a time, but it is not appropriate for a book. No-one, including myself, is an 'authority' on what makes a stellar spanking book. But, I've read more than a few spanking books and can offer my opinion about what makes a spanking book good or bad. There are a few key elements, such as character development and a gripping plot, that are required to make a book good. Without these key ingredients, it won't matter how awesome the spanking scenes are, the book can never really be great. Once a proper foundation is in place, an author can deliver greatness by connecting to the reader emotionally and focusing on the fun spanky details.  4 comments
|
|||||
| Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 | ||||||
