But seeing isn't easy...
But the trick is to understand WHAT elements to focus on (sandy sandwiches? Your mom's big old laugh rippling across the beach?). Also, HOW they're evocative (The texture of the sandwich's sun-softened, tepid, kinda nasty cheese? The chink of ice settling in your mom's Tab soda glass?)
And, finally, WHY that specific element captures enough of a truth to resonate with the reader (sandy sandwiches representing the freedom from school lunchtime? The near desperate way mothers would finally relax--now that the fathers were all safely back in the city and, yanno, unaware that it probably wasn't Tab soda in her glass?).
Clearly, Deviantart's blindedangel knew how to see. Look at how evocative this is.
Get it? It's all in what you see -- and then what you spot behind what you see. Of course, the second half is the ability to get it down right, and that takes, yanno, writing chops. But seeing is the critical part, I think, because
...Seeing is believing.
And verisimilitude is what makes a story come alive. See?
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22 comments:
You're right. It's seeing what is happening on the page. Findnig and capturing the elements. Excellent Zoe! =)
When I'm in the zone, I definitely see what's going on like a movie in my head. Sometimes it doesn't compare to the words that go on the page and I have to go back and look closer for more details. Great post!
Yup, I've been working on visualizing many aspects of the scene and translating that into description. Working in all the senses is pretty cool too. Great post!
Good words for thought!
Like most writers, I see what I'm writing and try to capture the image with words, as well as the feelings of the characters.
I know a few people who don't read much, and I've said something to them like, 'but reading is so fun, like my own movie in my head.' They shake their heads and say they don't 'see' the book in their mind. Sad. :-(
Makes me wonder if they don't see the story because they don't practice reading, and maybe it's an acquired skill, or that they never got into reading because the didn't see the story. Like the chicken and the egg.
Ah, easier said than done! I guess that's why I'm still revising...
Thanks for posting this! I write fantasy most of the time, and so I often dismiss trying to make the world very relatable, but the fact is, it's the same world. Some differences, sure, but people still need to be able to see. :)
And I loved that picture - great example. (sometimes using one sort of art is great to demonstrate for another, right?) Definitely reminds me of some of my weekends on the Oregon Coast.
Great point Zoe. I think that is really what makes great writers ... people who see things differently.
Of course like you said, perfecting the craft of putting it all down properly is important too, but the SEEING is the starting point.
Great post Zoe, it's not what's right there in front of you but what's in the background.
Great post! I love how you narrow the focus down to textures and beautiful images. It really is all about seeing, but seeing in a certain way! :)
Absolutely true, writing is seeing and seeing is believing. If you don't get the elements right that make up those vital scenes, then the reader won't be invested in the story. And that's never good!
Awesome post!
Great post! Most of my fave scenes are the ones that feel so visceral, sensory. I try to replicate this sensation in my own work.
Excellent post, Zoe. It's something I've been thinking a lot about this last week or so with my new WIP, so this is a very timely post for me. Thanks for some wonderful advice.
Great post. I see what I'm writing in my head so clearly sometimes it's like I'm there. If I can't see it, I've realised the scene isn't working and go back to it. :)
Great post. Great minds run in similar cycles. I wrote tonight of the writing skill of Winston Churchill depended in part on his soldier's eye for detail and pinpointing the basics of the scene in sparse prose.
Have a beautiful weekend, Roland
Thanks everyone for your comments! I was a little worried in writing this post - thinking twas maybe too much of a DUH! But it looks like everyone got what I meant :D THanks so much for commenting!!!
Oh, great post, good lady! Of course, I'd add that it's not just seeing you're talking about. You're talking about touch and hearing and taste and scent, too, yes? Like the clink of ice, the softened cheese, and all that? It's not just opening your eyes, it's opening all the other senses too. You can "see" with your ears and skin and tongue and nose as well, I think.
Hey, Simon! Thanks for popping in. I was definitely including the other senses :D To me, seeing as a writer is looking *beyond* what's present visually and *seeing* what's important about an event, place or scene. Thanks for the dialog!!
I think you just wanted to use verisimilitude in a post. ;)
Good post!
LOL, hey Vicki!! That *is* a fun word to type :) Thanks for popping in!
"Seeing" is easy. It's really getting behind everything you see that's hard. This is a deep post -- and so so true.
Yay! It's Elana! LOL. Thanks for visiting - and thanks, yanno, for GETTING it! :d
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