signal boost & writing thoughts

[sportivetricks]

Come join weasleyjumpers' Fourth Annual Fest!

WEASLEYS!!!!!!! ♥



In writing news... I am consumed by the biggest writer's crush right now. The who and what doesn't matter, but I have to talk about his method because it's been an eye-opener for me.

This writer plunks you down in the most banal scene imaginable and gives you zero context for why you're there. The situations and conversations seem completely random and almost tedious, but something about the banality starts to hypnotise you. Like that feeling you get when you're watching the seconds click down on the microwave.

And as the scene unfolds, from behind your trance, you start to realize... something is really off-kilter here. And suddenly, you know exactly who these characters are and what's driving them. And then you *have to* know their whole story. And he never gives it to you. Yeah, he's a troll. People both love and hate him for it.

I know this is, like, Writing 101, but I think it warrants reflection. I'm not saying it's the best way to write or the only way to write, especially in fic, where we're just having fun and scratching itches. But, undeniably, there is enormous power in telling your audience as little as possible. It's so tempting (and I've done it many times) to show or explain everything. But you have the potential to cast a hypnotizing spell if you don't.

I welcome thoughts below, from both a reading and a writing viewpoint!