Sentimentality

So, first thing, if you haven't seen Christopher Robin, go out and do it. If you have any attachment to Winnie the Pooh, if it was part of your childhood, if you enjoyed it growing up, you will want to see this movie.

With that out of the way, let me talk about sentimentality. Not every book has it and certainly not every book needs it. But done right, it can really enhance your story and connect with your audience. I feel like it doesn't work well with debuts, though. You won't have to worry about too much sentimentality in The Paladin. Right now is the time to build that relationship, I need to get my readers caring about the characters first. 

After all, there was nothing to be sentimental about in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, but by book seven, we had followed these characters, grown up with them, and now it was time for things that would tug at our hearts. Time to reminisce. Time to wax nostalgic. As all the terrible things came crashing down around Harry, it was fun to remember when the biggest problem they has was pronouncing leviosa. Or was it leviosa?

I'm building toward those moments in my series. I certainly think that in my next book there will be some poignant references, maybe some fun memories. But really, I think my series is all about moving forward. About the world changing and how someone needs to find a way to roll with that change.

Still... there's nothing wrong with looking back on the ways things used to be and smiling. 

Be Excellent To Each Other