Weekend Reading Assignment - The Long Shot

Weekend Reading Assignment - The Long Shot

By D.L. Winchester.

Continuing my exploration of Australian thrillers and horror, I decided to pick up a book from an author whose work I’ve been editing. Looking back, it seems like something I should have thought of long before now, but hey, I’ve been busy (and you’re gonna love the results: Deborah Sheldon’s Bodily Harm is brilliant!).

The Long Shot is a crime thriller set in rural Victoria. A woman returning home for a relative’s funeral discovers she still has feelings for an old flame, feelings complicated by the actions of her sister’s partner. Contributing to her internal conflict is her own desire to get the hell out of town and leave the painful memories of her past behind.

It’s a fantastic read, but what do I want you to think about to apply to your own craft?

1. Know Your Setting
Deborah describes Brownbeck as a town of about ten thousand people. As someone who lived in a town of about ten thousand people (shout out to Pecos, Texas!), I could tell Deborah is familiar with that lifestyle. Every detail is on the money, from the types and number of businesses to the length of time it takes to get across town (even if I’m still thrown by her use of kilometers-per-hour instead of MPH).

Including background details like these gives your story validity, even if they seem unimportant. Every detail you add builds trust with your reader, and allows them to let you take artistic leaps when you need to.

2. Fast-Paced is Fun!
The Long Shot seemed to be finished almost as soon as I started it. It is short, but the story progresses at breakneck speed. Sheldon is like a basketball coach making you run sprints. You get little breaks to recover, but before you know it, you’re off and running again.

And I loved it.

If you haven’t considered how much fun a fast-paced novel can be, think about Deborah’s pacing and if it’s something you might like to try for yourself.

3. Make Your Romance Strong
The love story between two of the main characters is a major plot point, and the romance is really well written. I’m a guy who isn’t all that fond of romance in writing, and I found myself rooting for the couple. The couple was imperfect, challenging, and ended up being perfect.

Don’t skimp on details that aren’t the “main plot.” The main story here is fantastic, but when I’m describing the book to a friend, I’m definitely not going to leave out the romance angle.

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