Strategies for Balancing Narrative Techniques in Writing Your Novel
In the world of literature, one of the most essential principles is the art of showing rather than telling. This approach allows readers to experience a character's growth, thoughts, and feelings firsthand, rather than being told about them directly.
By designing a clear character arc focused on transformation, writers can effectively show a character's evolution. This involves defining the character's initial belief or flaw and the truth they need to learn by the end of the story. The plot should then be structured to reveal this change through actions and choices reflecting internal shifts, rather than through exposition.
Key strategies include using conflict and relationships, building scenes driven by conflict or dilemmas, showing vulnerability and complexity, choosing a setting that shapes mood and possibilities, and using indirect characterization. By combining these elements into a structured story plan, writers can effectively show a character's evolving thoughts and feelings through the narrative itself.
For example, in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the plot is centered on characters dealing with and interpreting people, as much of the story revolves around Elizabeth and Darcy's interactions. Side characters can also provide valuable insights into a main character's changes and feelings. In Veronica Roth's Divergent, repetition is used effectively to show the protagonist's growth and preoccupation.
Settings can also play a crucial role in showing a character's feelings and sense of belonging. In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, repetition of a situation, such as Pippin forgetting a line while singing the same song in Theoden's hall, is used to show character growth and preoccupation. Similarly, in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, the various homes Fanny Price visits and eventually her family's home, reflect her sense of belonging.
However, it's important to strike a balance. Overdoing details can bog down plots, while weaving a character's arc too heavily into the events of the plot can detract from the story itself. Repetition, when used sparingly, can provide a great opportunity to show how different a character's life and feelings are.
In the realm of dance, repetition can also be used to show a character's thoughts and changes. This technique was used effectively in the original Star Wars trilogy to show Han Solo's feelings for Leia.
Andrea Lundgren, a writer who enjoys exploring books and writing from various perspectives, emphasizes the importance of this technique in her blog. She discusses the role of repetition in creating poignant scenes, as seen in the example of a going-to-bed routine showing changes in a character's life.
In conclusion, the art of showing rather than telling is a powerful tool in storytelling. By using conflict, relationships, repetition, and setting, writers can create engaging narratives that allow readers to truly understand and empathize with their characters.
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