Writing Tip: Zag Zig
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- 6/29/2011 |
- 10:00 am
It's easy to write what other people expect, and to never surprise anyone. But the next time you sit down to compose a story (perhaps the leap year story assignment that I just posted), why not question yourself? Why not zag when everyone else is zigging? Here are a few thoughts on that...
One of the things that will often keep you interested in a book is a healthy dose of the unexpected. The best authors find ways to stand out, to keep their stories fresh, to mix things up a bit.
It doesn't have to be something outlandish. For instance, when a car is racing down the street, almost every other will mention the squealing tires as it rounds the corner. But, suppose your story has a bit of a twist to it, and the car somehow slides around the corner with an eerie silence, as if the wheels were barely making contact with the ground?
See, it's not the most important element in the story...but it's not what your reader expected, either. It might even add a touch of suspense to your tale, and allow your reader to use their own imagination. Sometimes, when I'm reading a book by an excellent writer, I'll find myself going back and reading a line or paragraph again, simply because it's so interesting. That's what you want to accomplish, too.
Of course, you don't want to overdo this. Simply remember the technique, and find subtle, interesting ways to work it into your story. It will make your work shine.
