Stereotyped characters fit a mold manufactured by media and society. They are flat and predictable. If I say “cowboy” do you see a man wearing a Stetson and boots astride a horse? Does “librarian” conjure up an image of a mousy middle-aged woman in glasses and a bun? These are stereotypes—what we expect to see. Expectations can expand to behaviors as well. Cowboys are tough, hard drinking, and independent. Librarians are honest, prim and proper. Why Stereotypes are Valuable Stereotypes can help the reader recognize your character. Men who ride horses, wear Stetsons and boots are cowboys. Prim and proper women who wear glasses and style their hair in a…
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Propaganda
Propaganda is a dirty word. As a writer you have a responsibility to recognize it. As a reader your future may depend on whether you recognize it or not. I’ve been away visiting family and wasn’t sure I’d post this week. But something I saw on Facebook prompted this post. Twisted Truth Let’s start with a definition. Click here. We rarely think of propaganda as the truth. Surprisingly, propaganda can be the truth repackaged. Let me explain. In seventh grade Mrs. Tucker taught a unit on advertising and propaganda. I find it interesting how these topics are linked, but I digress. At the height of the Cold War, she presented…
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Narration and Dialog Keep Your Story Moving
Fiction writing comes in two stripes: narration and dialog. They both move the story along. Narration does it in large strokes. Dialog gets into detail at the character level. Narration Narration allows the writer to relay information that is important to the story in a paragraph or two. It sets the scene, describes a particular place or a specific time period. Or perhaps it condenses the important events leading to the character’s current situation. In a novel, writers use narration to summarize earlier scenes to remind the reader how they got to that point. In each case, narration is a kind of shortcut to give the reader information or description…
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Conflict is the Basis for Storytelling
All good stories contain conflict. Sometimes it’s good against evil, or a misunderstanding that snowballs out of control. Sometimes it’s a humorous mix-up. Whether visiting family, traveling, or attending summer camp this summer, recognize the potential for great stories. Family Conflict What better place to look for conflict than within your own family. Sibling spats, In-law imperfections, and cousin capers all scream conflict. Some of the best family stories involve everyday events blown out of proportion. Think about all the ways siblings get under each other’s skin. Something as simple as a trip to the store can be the basis of a conflict-laden story. Maybe your in-laws are driving you…
