Tag: Backstory

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“Once is Usually Enough” | Avoiding Redundancy in Fiction Writing

Mandy Webster

In Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Renni Browne and Dave King emphasize the importance of conciseness with the principle, “Once is Usually Enough.” This idea reminds writers to avoid unnecessary repetition and redundancy that can bog down prose, dilute impact, and test readers’ patience. Instead of overexplaining or reiterating points, Browne and King suggest that writers trust readers to pick up on cues, encouraging clarity and efficiency in storytelling. Let’s explore what this approach means and how it can elevate your writing.

Unlike in art where repeating shapes can create interest, redundancy in narrative writing can do the opposite.

At its core, “Once is Usually Enough” is about respect for the reader’s intelligence and the strength of your storytelling. Browne and King remind us that redundancy—whether it’s repeated words, concepts, or explanations—can slow down the narrative and weaken the reader’s engagement. Readers don’t need every detail restated, and when a writer repeats information unnecessarily, it can feel like “telling” rather than “showing.” Reducing repetition sharpens your story, giving every line and detail a specific purpose.

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Understanding beats in novel writing: How small moments make a big difference

Mandy Webster

In the world of novel writing, the term “beats” might sound technical, but it actually describes something fundamental to storytelling. Beats are the subtle pauses, actions, gestures, and shifts in tone that bring scenes to life and give your narrative a natural rhythm. They’re the small but essential moments that help convey emotion, add depth, and keep readers hooked. Let’s dive into what beats are, why they’re important, and how to use them effectively to make your writing more dynamic.

A beat could be something as simple as having one character pause to glance over the top of their glasses at another: She lowered her glasses and gave him a side eye.

In creative writing, a “beat” is a term used to describe a small action or movement that a character makes during a scene. Beats can be used to convey a character’s emotions, thoughts, or intentions, and they can also be used to break up long passages of dialogue or description. In the simplest terms, beats are the little moments that create texture in a scene. Think of them as the breaths in your story—the pauses between dialogue, the glance a character gives before speaking, the way they fidget when they’re nervous. Beats can be:

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How to write effective interior monologue in your novel

Mandy Webster

In novel writing, interior monologue is the narrative technique used to reveal a character’s inner thoughts, feelings, and reflections. It’s a way to give readers direct access to what a character is thinking without the character saying those thoughts out loud. This technique can deepen character development, help readers understand motivations, and create a more intimate connection between the character and the reader.

The purpose of interior monologue is to reveal a character’s inner thoughts, feelings, and reflections.

Getting interior monologue right is key in novel writing because it deepens character development by revealing a character’s private thoughts and emotions, giving readers access to their inner lives. It helps readers form a stronger emotional connection, even with flawed or conflicted characters, making them more relatable.

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What is proportion in novel writing?

Mandy Webster

In novel writing, proportion refers to the balance of different elements within the story—such as plot, character development, setting, and theme—to create a cohesive, engaging narrative. Proportion affects how much time and space are given to each element, helping to shape the reader’s experience and guide their focus. When proportion is well-balanced, readers feel drawn into the story without feeling overwhelmed by too much detail or frustrated by too little.

Proportion in novel writing is about giving each element the right amount of space to contribute to the whole story without overloading or neglecting any part.

Here are some key aspects of proportion in novel writing:

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Mastering Flashbacks: A Guide to Enhancing Your Fiction

Mandy Webster

Flashbacks can be a powerful tool in fiction writing, allowing authors to deepen character development, enrich plot lines, and create emotional resonance. However, using them effectively requires careful consideration.

Incorporating flashbacks in your novel is like using a time machine to show your readers what happened in the past.

Potential drawbacks of incorporating flashbacks in your novel include disrupting the pacing of the story, confusing and tiring your readers, and shifting the novel’s focus away from the story’s “present time.” If not handled delicately, flashbacks can feel like emotional manipulation. Readers may sense when an author is trying too hard to elicit a particular response, which can undermine the authenticity of the moment. Here’s how to master the art of flashbacks in your writing:

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How to write backstory without infodumping

Mandy Webster

Infodumping in novel writing refers to the excessive and often clumsy presentation of background information, context, or details all at once, usually in a way that disrupts the narrative flow. This can happen when an author tries to convey too much information in one go, often through long passages of exposition or dialogue, making it feel overwhelming or tedious for the reader.

Imagine how overwhelming it would be to have all this information dumped on you at once!

Writing backstory without resorting to infodumping involves weaving the information seamlessly into the narrative. Here are some techniques to help you do that:

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What is backstory in novel writing?

Mandy Webster

Backstory in novel writing refers to the history and events that shape the characters, settings, and plot before the main narrative begins. It provides context and depth to the characters and can help explain their motivations, conflicts, and relationships.

Effective backstory is blended into the flow of the narrative, keeping the reader engaged while providing necessary context.

Here are some key aspects of backstory:

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What is exposition in fiction writing? Is it the same as “telling?”

Mandy Webster

In fiction writing, “telling” and “exposition” are related but not exactly the same thing. Telling refers to the technique of stating facts or emotions directly, rather than letting the reader infer them through actions, dialogue, or sensory details. For example, saying, “She was angry,” is telling, whereas showing might involve describing her clenched fists or sharp tone. Exposition, on the other hand, is the presentation of background information, context, or explanation necessary for the story, such as the history of a world, character backstory, or details about a situation.

Exposition can be used to describe a novel’s setting. How would you describe this setting?

Exposition can be done through either telling or showing. In short, telling is a technique, while exposition is a type of content. Exposition can sometimes involve “telling” when the writer needs to explain things quickly, but it can also be shown through more gradual revelations or interactions within the narrative.

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