SOME TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS 2
Three useful comments from the American editor of my first novel, “Dancing at the Victory café”.
THINK BIG. Let a scene runaway with you, expand the details and the emotions and the depth of the agony. Make the story for all time, universal, go for the worst or best possible scenario. Don't pussy foot around, nimby pimby just let rip and see where it takes you. You might surprise yourself. Be bloody bold and resolute!
DON'T RUSH THOSE BIG MOMENTS
Imagine a camera zooming in on the big emotional scene slowly picking out every nuance of feeling and expression, every leaf curling and drop of moisture. The art is in those details. It's surprising how quickly we can slide over some of our best high points of the drama by rushing on with the narrative, not letting the readers wallow in the mire, the ecstasy, the pain, the magnificent frustration.
Slow down, take your time this is what they've been waiting for, the big moment. Let the reader live with you. Every agonizing moment must be savoured.
OFF STAGE IS FRUSTRATING
We don't want to know “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead” somewhere off stage. The action must happen there in front of you as a bone fide scene that we are part of and can visualise. If it is integral to the plot then let's see it happening. Lead us up to the action and perhaps leave us guessing in suspense, wanting to know what happens next.
I killed off one of my heroes off stage and all the reader got was someone else's account of it. Big lesson learned there for me.
Being told something second hand cheats the reader of the big moment and the big emotions.
See you soon with some more tips …
