On Being Evocative
Don't break out the lingerie quite yet. I'm really referring to our writing.
There's a reason why we're told to "show and not tell". Telling does not usually evoke emotions in a reader. It's simply a tool to share with the reader a fact about a character, situation or setting.
Showing uses the five senses. It plunks the reader into the scene and says, watch this, feel this, smell this.
Showing evokes emotion from a reader. It makes the reader forget they're reading.
Telling has it's place. I'm not one of those who thinks we can use absolutely no telling. No, it can be used, but it should be balanced carefully with the showing. Save the telling for things the reader must know but doesn't necessarily need to feel.
Think about the last book that made you cry. That made you laugh. How did the author create a scene so real that you forgot to think?
What book has touched you recently and how do you try to make your writing more evocative?
There's a reason why we're told to "show and not tell". Telling does not usually evoke emotions in a reader. It's simply a tool to share with the reader a fact about a character, situation or setting.
Showing uses the five senses. It plunks the reader into the scene and says, watch this, feel this, smell this.
Showing evokes emotion from a reader. It makes the reader forget they're reading.
Telling has it's place. I'm not one of those who thinks we can use absolutely no telling. No, it can be used, but it should be balanced carefully with the showing. Save the telling for things the reader must know but doesn't necessarily need to feel.
Think about the last book that made you cry. That made you laugh. How did the author create a scene so real that you forgot to think?
What book has touched you recently and how do you try to make your writing more evocative?
Comments
I still reread Erma Bombeck to cheer me up when I'm down. Even though I've read her books lots, I still giggle with each reread.
I've just finished another Cup of Comfort book and love the short stories.
I've learned a lot from these authors and others that will enrich and improve my writing.
Jodi Picoult depressed me so bad that I never read another of her books again. But I'd say that's some good writing that it could do that! :-)
Also, it was a book I thumbed through at the library, so I didn't read the beginning and didn't realize the heroine died. When I realized it at the end, I felt so betrayed. LOL
Thanks for stopping by.
Jessica, I agree with you: I've come to learn certain parts of a book require simple telling. We just have to find the best was to show what we're showing, and find the perfect balance between the two for our story.
One of my favorite writing-related quotes is from E.L. Doctorow: Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader—not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.
It was a Picoult book I read most recently! Though I plan to steer clear of some of her subject manner, she definitely gets an award for evocative writing.
What a great quote. I'm not sure I've ever heard that, though I have heard of the guy. Thanks for sharing it!
I'm a hard case, I guess. Although my own work moves me - the writing of it, not the reading of it.
Karen deals with tough issues and I admire her for that. She's got some great plots too.
She writes really short paragraphs--one of the most concise writers out there. I wonder if that's a part of how she taps into deep emotions from her readers?
That's interesting about the paragraphs.
Genius really, because by doing that, she slides us into the mindset and sensitivities of the MC without us even knowing she's done it. That's evocative...pulling someone in on the sly without them even realizing it. I want to write like that!
Hey, my word verification is: redness.
I must be blushing. Heehee
The last book I read was, "Without A Trace," by Colleen Coble. She had me gasping along with the heroine when the killer was revealed. It felt like I WAS the heroine making the discovery.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I want to write like that too!
btw, I think you do it quite well. :-)
I love Erma Bombeck, too!
Thanks for the tips, Jessica. Very helpful post.
Jen
Jen
I've never read those authors but have heard only good things about them.
Thanks for stopping by. :-)
I'm working on my manuscript's ending today as I lay here in bed and it hasn't quite made me cry but gaining!
Francine Rivers' books, especially The Mark of the Lion trilogy, also makes me cry.
I've got a lot of work to do in my book to evoke such emotion.
I love Francine Rivers! I wish she'd write some more books like what she used to.
The book by See sounds interesting and sad. Thanks for sharing about it.
I've always said when i can make someone cry, then I'd know I can write. LOL! My first 5 books that i've written this year have all been comedy that tug at your heartstrings but wouldn't make you cry. But then this last one... the one I'm working on now. Holy cow, I can't stop. I can't. It is the saddest, sweetest story ever and I cry the whole time I type it up as I go and my proof readers are threatening to lynch me unless I stop making them cry. So the goal for this book is to get a chuckle. If I can make someone laugh somewhere in this book right out loud, then I know I can write! LOL! Go figure. Hmm.. and now you've totally given me an idea for a post... LOL!
Thanks for stopping by the blog.:-)
I've never heard of Landsdowne. Thanks for the plug!
I think it's the mark of a great writer who can make a person both laugh and cry during their book.
Glad you got an idea! And have fun writing your story! This could be the ONE. :-)