Writing Superpowers - Foreshadowing & Eliminating Inconsistencies

 

Today, we wrap up our conversation about writing superpowers. Let's discuss ways to keep readers engaged when characters act out of character and how eliminating inconsistencies in a manuscript creates a better story.  

Have you ever been fully into a book when suddenly your main character does something you would never expect? Does it make you sit up and say, "What just happened? They would never do that!" 

Why do readers feel taken aback when a character acts "out of character?" 

First, readers feel a connection with the main character. They invest time and energy in getting to know that character's thoughts, actions, and motivations. The connection breaks when the character acts in a way they don't expect. An interruption in an established pattern can lead readers to feel betrayed. 

Second, unexpected behavior can seem random if it's not properly foreshadowed. 

Foreshadowing provides a hint of what is coming. Whether it be direct foreshadowing that openly suggests a problem or plot twist, or indirect foreshadowing that drops clues that lead to a revelation for the reader, recommended rules are that foreshadowing be relevant to the plot, subtle so that it creates anticipation or suspense, and properly timed so the reveal is satisfying to readers. 

For eliminating inconsistencies, type out character worksheets and a brief or detailed outline. The spelling of characters' names and their physical descriptions can be as hard to keep track of over a 250+ page novel as the sequence of events from beginning to end. Draw a simple map to remember where each building in your fictional town is located (especially important if you're planning a series). 

How did you enjoy traveling through these writing superpowers? Is there another topic you would like us to cover? Just for fun, are you a plotter or a panster? 

Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of four children’s books including, A Christmas Kindness, released by 4RV Publishing. A blogger and book reviewer, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three adult children. Visit Cheryl's website at https://ccmalandrinos.com or her children’s book blog at https://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com

Foreshadowing in Fiction

 

Foreshadowing is a literary device used to make the reader wonder. It gives the story a sense of mystery or anticipation. It can also create tension.

According to Literary Devices (1), using this device, “a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story."

Foreshadowing is a great device to keep the reader involved in the story and the characters.

There are a number of foreshadowing strategies. Below are four of them.

An Approaching Event

An example of this type of foreshadowing is in “Walking Through Walls.” Wang (the protagonist) listens as his friend, Chen, tell how neighboring warriors kidnapped his sister.  

The reader surmises or anticipates that there will be an upcoming battle to rescue Chen’s sister.

The Pre-scene

A pre-scene hints at something on the horizon.

Another example might be a new student entering a classroom and another student eyes him up and down. Nothing else happens in that particular scene.
 
The reader automatically anticipates there will be trouble between the boys down the road.

In an article at Novel Writing Help, “a pre-scene is simply a smaller version of a larger scene to come. They are not significant by themselves, but they imply that there is something more spectacular waiting to happen right around the corner.” (2)

The Loaded Gun

This strategy is attributed to Russian author and playwright Anton Chekhov.

He said, "If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on a wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it’s not going to be fired, it shouldn’t be hanging there." (3)

This type of foreshadowing doesn’t have to use a gun; it could be any object.

For example, suppose a boy is cleaning out the attic of a hundred-year-old home for a neighbor. He finds an old corroded coin. He absent-mindedly shoves it in his pocket.

The reader knows the coin is significant and expects something to happen pertaining to it in the story. If the writer is smart, she will fulfil the reader’s expectation.

The Prophecy

With this type of foreshadowing, a glimpse of misfortune to come from something that happens is given to the reader.

As an example, the albatross is a sign of good luck if seen by sailors. With the reader being privy to this knowledge, a sailor sees one fly over his ship at the midway point on every voyage he’s on. But, on this particular voyage, there is no albatross to be seen.

The implication to the reader is that there is going to be trouble for this sailor and this voyage.

Don’t Overdo It

While adding foreshadowing to your fiction story is an effective writing device, you don’t want to overdo it.

In an article at NY Book Editors, it explains that “to balance your story, there needs to be revelations and circumstances that catch the reader off-guard. If your reader is in a constant state of analysis [over foreshadowing], your pacing will suffer. To strike the perfect balance, introduce hints but then jolt your reader with something unexpected.” (4)

If you’d like to read more about foreshadowing and your fiction writing, check out the references below.

Foreshadowing is an excellent literary device when used properly. As mentioned early, it creates reader anticipation among other things.

This post first appeared at:
https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/2018/04/08/writing-fiction-what-is-foreshadowing/

About the Author

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, successful children’s ghostwriter, and an author online platform instructor with WOW! Women on Writing. Check out her middle-grade book, Walking Through Walls, and her new picture book series, The Adventures of Planetman: Click here.