When writing your novel or short story, it’s important to keep in mind how your reader may be affected by the length of your paragraphs. Long, drawn out paragraphs are tedious to read—more often than not, your reader will get discouraged when presented with  never ending blocks of text, and put [...]]]>

Lengthy Paragraphs

When writing your novel or short story, it’s important to keep in mind how your reader may be affected by the length of your paragraphs. Long, drawn out paragraphs are tedious to read—more often than not, your reader will get discouraged when presented with  never ending blocks of text, and put down your book, never to pick it up again.  On the other-hand, too many short paragraphs may project a shallow story with little depth.Try to reach a happy medium with your paragraphs. Use variation. Write your paragraphs to a minimum of 1- to 15 lines in length. Keep in mind, the length of your sentences and your paragraphs help create a rhythm for your story.

Show Don’t Tell

How many times have we heard that phrase? Show, don’t tell. Since the beginning of one’s writing experience we’ve been taught, told, or scolded about “show, don’t tell” our stories. Most every writer I know has dealt with it a time or two. It is an artful creative process to show your story though your imagination. It is the difference between a published novel and one that sits on the shelf gathering dust.

Flashbacks

Avoid flashbacks if at all possible. A story should begin at the beginning and go to the end with few visits to the past. However, our characters do have a past, and their emotions tie into their past, happy or sad.  Therefore, if the information is necessary for your reader to understand your story then go for it. But be careful. The best way to use a flashback is through dialogue, action and/or conflict. If you don’t want to put your reader to sleep, narrative is a big no-no.  So make your flashback vivid with plenty of tension. “Stein on Writing” says it better than anyone. “Fiction should seem to be happening right now.” This is an important statement because a flashback can be obtrusive and stop the story dead. So before using that flashback, ask yourself if your story would read better without one.

John Steinbeck’s Advice for Beginning Writers

“I have written a great many stories and I still don’t know how to go about it except to write it and take my chances..” Photo/artwork “the reading octopuses” by debaird (c)  Marlene Cronkhite

CLICK HERE >>>Learn More about StoryCraft

Marlene Cronkhite

Tweet This Post