In a Different World

I was reminded of one of the marks of great writing - writing that pulls you into the story. This morning my son had his sports' physical for school. While waiting for his name to be called, I immersed myself in the current book I'm reading - The Anonymous Bride by Vickie McDonough. A few minutes later when the nurse drew me from my book, it took me a second or two to remember where I was and what we were doing.

Then again, while the nurse gave my son a hearing test, I cracked the book open. I was drawn into the year 1886 in Lookout, Texas. The whole scene was playing before my eyes. I was a bit disoriented when the nurse finished the test. I was distracted and in the middle of life in the 'old days.'

That's what I want to do as a writer - draw the reader into thinking that they are part of the story - that the scenes are unfolding before their very eyes. They see first-hand, smell the things described, and feel what the characters are experiencing. Oh to be gifted, or to learn what it takes to pull the reader into a different world.