Book Review: Drawing on the Power of Resonance in Writing by David Farland

Tuesday I posted my review on David Farland’s book, Million Dollar Outlines, published in January 2013.  Yesterday David’s guest post on Crucibles in our stories was posted, as his blog tour continues.  Today I’m sharing a second bonus post this week, my review of his book, Drawing on the Power of Resonance in Writing, published in December 2012.

 

Drawing on the Power of Resonance in Writing 450x680I jumped right into this book.  I’ve spent a lot of time on this blog talking about writing scenes that your reader will recognize in their own experiences.  Heartbreak, adventure, shared interests.  And along comes David Farland and says it so clearly, so emphatically that I can just sit back and tell you this:

If you want to write books readers fall in love with, read this book.

In a slim volume (if it were in physical form, that is), Farland lays out the three types of resonance the writer uses.

It seems pretty simple.  Humans resonate with each other through shared interests, life experiences (who we are), and emotional needs.  After elaborating on how these resonances affect us, he leaps right into a case study of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings that offers example after example revealing how resonance echoes between writers and between centuries.

We may believe we’re choosing to read in a particular genre because we’re interested in the old West, or we’re a sucker for adventure tales set in exotic locales.  But Farland sees that as the outward manifestation of our real desire.

According to Farland, readers actually seek “to create a positive emotional experience” through their choice of books.

Once we’ve been shown the ways resonance impact our reading habits, he draws us a step deeper.  Resonance is a cornerstone in identifying and relating to books within a genre.  Authors in particular genres create a specific look for their covers, speak a certain language their readers recognize, and meet the promise they make to the readers by working within a familiar story format.

Outside the world of books, the alert writer finds other resonances – movies, songs, and art in tune with the emotion evoked in her story.

And again, after we understand how resonance is found in every aspect of our writing and our lives, Farland beckons us to a deeper relationship with this tool.

He reminds us we’re living our experiences with millions of other people.  And as any cop will tell you, everyone’s experience of a situation will be unique, yet in some deep part of our emotions it will be the same.  And that’s what makes successful resonance work.

But don’t take my word for it.  Grab a copy of Drawing on the Power of Resonance in Writing and devour it for yourself.  Then put this tool to work in your writing.  And let us know when your new book becomes a bestseller, because readers all over the world will relate to it with every emotion.

David FarlandCheck out DavidFarland.net and sign up for his free “Daily Kicks in the Pants” for more motivation and inspiration delivered with astute writing tips.  You’ll be glad you did.

Click on any of the links to Drawing on the Power of Resonance in Writing contained in this post to purchase a copy for yourself (affiliate link to books and movie).  Remember, you don’t have to own a Kindle in order to enjoy these eBooks.  Just download the free Kindle Reading app from Amazon and enjoy.