On today’s Raw Reading, Alida Winternheimer reads from her current work-in-progress, working title, Playing with the Wind.

In this light-hearted moment, a boy picks up a girl in a diner.

Playing with the Wind is a historical novel set in 1920s and 1930s Minnesota. After watching the video clip, read the author’s reflections on this particular text.

Raw Reading

Reflection

In today’s Raw Reading, I share a scene in which one of my main characters, Lacey, meets a would-be suitor. This is a first encounter at a lunch counter, and Jake makes his move.

Story comes down to feelings. What can I make the reader feel for and along with my character? How can I convey those emotions in words on a page? Even the simplest scene with the most straightforward action should make the reader feel something. 

In this scene, I want to convey the attraction these two feel for each other. Jake has been watching Lacey work, he’s attracted to her, but it’s more than physical. He sees her spark. We know this from his dialogue. He tells her she has happy eyes.

Lacey moves away from him and takes a moment to think about that. She knows what he means, so it creates a connection between them that goes deeper than physical appeal. That pause in the action for her interior reflection is natural. It fits the scene, because she’s working. She goes away from Jake to serve other customers. It’s simple, but it works, because it blends the reflection with the ongoing physical action of the scene. And her attraction to him is now apparent.

I want the reader to feel buoyant. That moment of first attraction is fun, exciting, full of possibility. When I read this scene, I am happy for Lacey, because Jake sees something special in her, which is always promising. And in a story set in the Great Depression, we need some light moments, some hope for the characters’ future.