[authorme] PUBLISHING EMERGING WRITERS, December 2013

From: Bruce Cook <cookcomm@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Newsletter <authorme@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 13:45:14 -0600
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*In this issue... Revealing Action in Fiction*

==============================
*Revealing Action in Fiction*
by Bruce L. Cook

<http://www.derekhaines.ch/>

*Revealing Action in Fiction*

*Bruce L. Cook*


Typically in fiction, you have a plan of action. As the story unfolds, you
parcel out details which, by the end, point to the story’s conclusion.


There’s a question of how much detail you should hold back. If you reveal
too little, the reader may become bored or confused and stop reading your
story. Alternatively, if you reveal too much, the reader may feel the
outcome is too predictable.


I experienced this problem recently in a novel whose action was fairly
complex. I automatically held back on details which would explain the
protagonist’s motives, thinking that the reader would learn them soon
enough as the story progressed. In my mind, the reader would be teased by
omissions and keep reading to learn why the protagonist is acting in a
particular way.


However, I learned from a reader that my omission was confusing and that it
resulted in a loss of interest in the story. So, naturally, I revised the
novel to make motives more clear.


This made me examine my own reasons for omitting details. I suspect that
this question might be worth consideration by other authors as well. Are
authors free to choose the level of detail?


In my case, the question was whether I was saving time by just getting the
story out quickly without so much explanation. Alternatively was I in fact
teasing the reader to keep interest high? Unfortunately, a fiction writer
is unlikely to consider such a technical question as the story unfolds, so
the answer won’t be clear. In my case I decided to opt for clarity,
although this and that left me wondering whether I had made the omission
just to save myself time in writing the story.


During revision, it’s a good time to ask a reader about any such omissions
and determine whether they result in confusion or loss of interest. Be
honest about your own motives as a writer and do your best to help the
reader follow your action.

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    Publishing Emerging Writers

    December 2013 (No. 1412)

   Publisher: Cookcomm - Bruce L. Cook, 1407 Getzelman Dr.

    Elgin, IL 60123  USA

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[authorme] PUBLISHING EMERGING WRITERS, December 2013

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