Confessions of a Plot Junkie

By: Sherri Fulmer Moorer

I’m not ashamed to admit it – I’m a plot junkie. I don’t read to see pretty words strung together, or even descriptions of rich settings. I want action. Give me a plot that sticks to my head and characters that I believe will bleed if I scratch the page, and that’s my kind of story. As an independent author, I endeavor to give my readers that same thrill of high action and flesh and blood characters that I expect in the books that make my heart quiver.

For all of you literature lovers out there that think I should be ashamed of it, I’m not. Your trash is my treasure. I don’t read or write to gain a better understanding of society and the ways we can use the English language to articulate the issues of today. I read and write for entertainment and self growth. I want stories that speak to readers. I want characters that are real enough to be neighbors, friends and colleagues.  I want a world that mirrors our own and gives us glimpses of how to better deal with reality. And if it can’t do that, it can at least help us escape it for a while.

I’m not saying that literature doesn’t have it’s place. It certainly has merit and is well suited for some audiences. I just don’t believe those who love it should look down on those who appreciate commercial fiction. Literature may live through the ages, but commercial fiction speaks to the masses through entertainment value. It sells. It offers an escape. And now, it’s ushering in the new age of publication through ebooks, which give more writers an opportunity to skip the bronze doors of the traditional publishing industry and reach directly to readers that are their friends, neighbors and peers through online outlets.

The world is growing and its commercial fiction that’s ushering in the new age, but I don’t think fans of literature need to worry. Many classics in the public domain are available for free, and I’m sure that people will give them a chance. And as for new work, well, I’m sure that literature will capture the essence of this age as well as it has every other.

 By day, Sherri Fulmer Moorer is a humble program assistant in professional licensing. By night, she's an independent author with several published novels and stories. Her most recent title, Anywhere  But Here, is a mystery novel about a young woman that battles the demon of depression – literally! She has written titles in several generes, including mystery, horror, science-fiction, and non-fiction.You can find more on her at http://www.sherrithewriter.com/ .

Next up to the plate...
October 24 - Peter Lyons
October 31 -  Grace Peterson