Writing in color is exactly what I strive for when I sit down to work on another story.
Did you ever hear someone say, “Wow, that story just jumped off the page!”
No? Well okay neither have I. Although I have heard stories described as “vivid”, “imaginative” or “colorful”.
What exactly makes a story 1. Vivid, 2. Imaginative and 3. Colorful.
Well, I honestly do not claim to be an expert on the formula that puts these three components into writing, but I have been told that I create some pretty vivid, imaginative, colorful stories.
I think that makes me a bit qualified to let you know how I Write in Color…
Definition of Vivid: producing a strong or clear impression on the senses sharp, intense ; specifically producing distinct mental images < a vivid description.
Basically, that means we need to make the story “Jump off the page”, heh…
One thing I’ve learned, is that action really does speak louder then words.
How does this work in a story?
For me I find that writing an action before dialogue, creates an “impression” or image of the scene unfolding. Something that I feel Dialogue tags just don’t do. Also it eliminates the need for the “as” sentence to put the scene in motion.
For example, read this dialogue scene:
The shop’s door was left unlocked, yet Amy knew she locked it the last night after her shift. Walking to the phone, she noticed the register drawer opened and the candy display scattered all over the floor.
“Hello Mr. Parker, it’s Amy, I think someone broke into the store last night!” She said frantically as her eyes darted around finally seeing the evidence of a robbery.
Okay so this scene, written like this, does tell us quite a bit of what is going on. We know Amy works at the story. She was the last to leave. Mr Parker is her Boss. And there is evidence of a burglar. It tells us all this but does it really paint a “vivid” picture of what the author is trying to show?
I certainly don’t think so. Let’s try this:
The shop’s door was left unlocked, yet Amy knew she locked it last night after her shift. Walking to the phone, she noticed the register drawer opened and the candy display scattered all over the floor. Her eyes darted around the store. Knots twisted in her gut, when she saw shattered glass mixed with gooey puddles of spoiled all over the tiled floor. Digging her phone from her purse, she shakily dialed her bosses number.
Hello, Mr. Parker, it’s Amy I think someone broke into the shop last night!”
Notice by adding a few descriptions and reactive motion to Amy’s character, now makes the scene visual. It paints a better picture of how Amy reacts both physically and emotionally. The scene now gives a “vivid” picture of what Amy is experiencing as she experiences it.
Definition of Imagination: the faculty of producing ideal creations consistent with reality, as in literature, as distinct from the power of creating illustrative or decorative imagery.
Okay without being too complicated, bringing imagination into a story, is introducing an unexpected element into the scenes. Setting the scene so, our characters must use their wits to navigate through the plot.
For example, we already know that Amy works in a store of some kind and she has just walked into a mess supposedly because of a robbery.
Let's add a little imagination and see how Amy reacts.
Hanging up the phone, Amy senses that someone is watching her. She quickly grabs the bat hidden under the counter underneath the register. Her heart hammers inside her chest. Slowly she approaches Mr. Parker’s office at the rear of the store. With a white-knuckle grip on the bat, she slowly elbows the door open and charges in, her weapon raised above her head, ready to clobber the unsuspecting thief. Just before she nails the first blow, Amy comes to a screeching halt and freezes to her spot, shocked and confused.
See how I wrote the scene, to suggest that the burglar was still in the store. We can both feel and see how Amy reacts to this unforeseen problem. Then at the end, I toss in a strange twist.
Finally we come to “Colorful”:
I don’t think I need to give definition of what colorful means in literature. Making our writing colorful is part personality, part imagination, and part voice. Every thing I write has a lot of my personality woven into through my narratives, scenery, and of course dialogues between my characters. I’ve learned form reading my favorite authors that the more we connect with our readers on a cognitive level, the more appealing our stories will be to them. Creating characters and situations that people can see themselves in, and relate to gives readers a chance to live vicariously through our words as writers.
When I can do this for my readers, then I have done my job as a writer. Plus there is no bigger compliment then someone living vicariously through your characters.
BIO:
Emma Paul lives in her own little fantasy world…well at least when she is creating the fantastical tales that seem to manifest every second of every day within the confines of her mind.
She is happily married with children, and loves writing and sharing her imagination with anyone willing to read or listen to her stories. Her hope is to bring happy feelings into peoples lives by giving them a way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Her wild, imaginative, and sexy tales will take you away to far off places where anything is possible and romance is hot.
BLURB:
Rumored to be a demon, Damien has been cursed by another demon to remain behind the walls of Darkhaven castle for eternity, unless he can say the True name of the demon that cursed him. Unfortunately, part of the curse is that he is unable to speak the name let alone remember it. At first Damien reject’s the Millers request. Then he catches a glimpse of Elise and is intrigued. He summons her to him and gives her the power to complete all the tasks Duke DeMumart sets for her. But there is a price to pay...
Publisher: Sizzler Editions, Genre: Paranormal/fantasy erotic romance
BUY Links:
173 comments:
Interesting - but I dispute the elimination of "as" sentence - people read eliminate the use of -- insert word--, and that word becomes condemned. Sometimes the sentence just works better with the word "as". When we try and work around not using a word then our writing can become stilted or we end up using other "banned' words - such as ly adverbs.
I have a list of "overused" words and I check my chapters when I am done writing to see if I've gone crazy with them. I don't ban them from my work - I attempt to limit them.
That's a good point Victoria, I try not to use "as" phrases if I can help it. However, I admit I do use it on occasion myself, when nothing else fits.
I truly did not mean to "ban" the word as, just not over use it as you mentioned. : )
Great post, Emma. As I was reading it I caught a few things I used to be guilty of not writing well. Luckily my editors have helped mold me in the visual category. If only I had read your post 3 years earlier. LOL
Thanks Nicole!
Good post..Illustrates your points perfectly. I keep a list of words I over-use, and when I do my first edits am always amazed at how they creep in over and over.
I enjoyed your take on things, and it gave me a different perspective on how to deepen my writing. Thank you. Very interesting.
Awesome post, Emma.
I'm a firm believer in eliminating as many dialogue tags as possible and replacing them with action beats.
As, while, and gerund sentences are fine AS--lol--long as we keep their usage down.
Thanks Guys!
I'm glad you enjoyed the Post! : )
Believe me I am guilty of repeating certain words...just ask my editor!
A great lesson on making descriptive scenes come alive. We can all learn something from it.
Janice~
Your post is very educational, Emma.
buy tramadol online cod overnight tramadol dosage in canine - tramadol 50 mg max dosage
ativan online ativan and alcohol addiction - ativan overdose
buy tramadol online mastercard overnight buy tramadol online in usa - tramadol dosage recreational
cheap generic ativan ativan drip - buy generic lorazepam online
buy klonopin online klonopin 2 mg street price - klonopin side effects muscle weakness
buy tramadol online tramadol seizure risk - tramadol hcl 200mg
tramadol online get tramadol online - tramadol 50mg how many to take
buy tramadol buy tramadol online without prescriptions - tramadol hexal 100 mg
buy clonazepam klonopin reviews - what's the klonopin high like
klonopin pills klonopin withdrawal support group - pictures of generic klonopin
buy klonopin online 5mg klonopin high dose - normal dosage klonopin anxiety
cheap ambien no prescription ambien cr vs xanax - much zolpidem ambien
generic tramadol buy tramadol thailand - buy cheap tramadol online uk
buy tramadol without prescriptions best place buy tramadol forum - buy tramadol online no prescription
tramadol buy buy tramadol no rx - buy tramadol online mastercard
buy tramadol online cod overnight buy tramadol for dogs online - help buy tramadol
order ambien online 3 ambien cr - ambien overdose seizures
soma online buy soma muscle relaxant online - soma online pharmacy no prescription
ambien online purchase ambien 8 hours sleep - buy ambien prescription online
ambien for sale online ambien side effects cancer - ambien generic form
buy generic soma buy 120 soma online - many 350 mg soma can take
buy tramadol free shipping tramadol 50 mg tab amne - tramadol euphoria dose
tramadol online tramadol brand name - tramadol hcl blood thinner
klonopin no prescription tramadol klonopin erowid - klonopin kidney damage
generic ambien ambien cr generic release - price of ambien cr at walgreens
tramadol online tramadol hcl 60 mg - 100 mg tramadol online
tramadol generic buy tramadol 180 online - tramadol hcl for dogs
cheap lorazepam ativan or xanax which is better - is ativan and xanax similar
generic ambien buy generic ambien 10mg pills - generic ambien not effective
generic klonopin klonopin and alcohol detox - klonopin withdrawal blood pressure
buy ambien online best online ambien pharmacy - ambien show on drug screen
tramadol online overnight zydol 50mg tramadol hydrochloride - tramadol xr dosage
cheapest soma need to buy soma - buy soma georgia
order ambien buy ambien canada no prescription - can ambien overdose fatal
buy cheap generic viagra online safe purchase viagra - cheap generic viagra from canada
viagra online generic viagra super active 100mg - viagra for women 2010
order klonopin klonopin side effects weight gain - how to get off klonopin
ambien 5 cost for ambien cr - ambien and alcohol side effects
buy soma online soma online coupons - soma medication mechanism action
ambien for sale online zolpidem generic for ambien - what is ambien used for
where to buy tramadol online buy generic tramadol online - buy tramadol legally
generic clonazepam buy clonazepam cheap - klonopin withdrawal taper schedule
buy clonazepam online klonopin get high - klonopin withdrawal how long
buy tramadol mexico tramadol acetaminophen high - tramadol order online tramadol 50mg
generic ambien lowest price for ambien cr - can you purchase ambien
order sildenafil do buy viagra online - online pharmacy for generic viagra
sildenafil without prescription viagra buy ireland - pfizer viagra dosage
soma muscle drug interaction soma vicodin - methadone soma drug interactions
buy viagra next day delivery generic viagra 5 pills - buy real viagra online uk
buy tramadol online mastercard overnight buy tramadol online no prescription - normal dosage tramadol hcl
ambien for sale online ambien 0.5 mg - ambien quit taking
buy viagra online cheap viagra tesco - buy viagra ebay
can you buy ambien online generic ambien teva - ambien discount coupon
buy viagra online legally order generic viagra online overnight - purchase viagra 100mg
buy viagra houston viagra online buy - viagra 29 years old
soma drug generic for sumatriptan - soma muscle relaxer bluelight
order viagra internet can you buy viagra under 18 - is the viagra online from canada safe
buy tramadol online no prescription buy tramadol cod - tramadol webmd
buy viagra online levitra vs viagra dosage - viagra dosage vs cialis
discount cialis generic cialis will available - что такое cialis
cheap viagra 100mg cheap viagra pills sale - viagra online 100mg
sildenafil citrate does viagra work after prostate surgery - cheap viagra to canada
tramadol without prescription tramadol online no prescription overnight cod - buy tramadol in usa no prescription
purchase tramadol buy tramadol online no prescription usa - tramadol high good
viagra online purchase generic viagra canada - does viagra work for everyone
order generic viagra viagra online from uk - what does viagra for women
order cialis no prescription buy-cialis-generic-online - generic cialis legal us
buy tramadol free shipping tramadol 20mg - best online pharmacy tramadol
buy viagra super active viagra where to buy .au - viagra buy online no prescription
tramadol buy what are the best sites to buy tramadol online - tramadol withdrawal tiredness
buy viagra viagra dosage frequency - where to purchase viagra online
buy discount tramadol tramadol hcl 50 mg overdose - tramadol hcl canine
tramadol no rx generic tramadol - best place buy tramadol
buy tramadol rx tramadol no prescription cheap - tramadol for dogs can people take it
order viagra online without script viagra tolerance - generic viagra real
buy tramadol no prescription tramadol 50 mg para que sirve - tramadol krka 100mg
buy viagra next day delivery viagra online site reviews - buy viagra online safely
tramadol 100 mg overdose with tramadol - buy tramadol online us
buy tramadol next day get out tramadol addiction - tramadol withdrawal anxiety
order tramadol buy tramadol online cod no prescription - buy generic ultram online
discount propecia year supply propecia cost - propecia side effects when'
buy tramadol tramadol drug interactions - tramadol dosage 15 pound dog
buy propecia results using propecia - propecia liver damage
buy tramadol online cod overnight tramadol 50mg 180 tablets - cheap tramadol without prescriptions
buy tramadol 100mg buy tramadol hcl - buy tramadol online without rx
buy tramadol hcl order tramadol overnight delivery - buy tramadol with mastercard
strattera cost strattera no prescription - strattera dosing strengths
buy tramadol online no prescription where to buy tramadol online safely - tramadol online us
order tramadol online tramadol withdrawal nhs - buy tramadol united states
buy finasteride safe buy generic propecia online - propecia 1 month
discount retin-a buy retin a usa - retin-a micro generic
buy tramadol online tramadol no prescription us pharmacy - tramadol 50 mg is used for what
tramadol online tramadol withdrawal weight gain - tramadol 50mg zydol
tramadol 50mg tramadol purchase online usa - tramadol hydrochloride 50mg for dogs side effects
buy tramadol cod next day delivery generic pill tramadol - buy tramadol online no prescription overnight
cheap viagra what is the most effective dosage of viagra - order viagra cialis
generic cialis cialis 5 coupon - cialis 5 mg online kaufen
order cialis online no prescription cialis 20 mg buy online uk - cheap cialis pills
buy cialis generic cialis rating - generic cialis super active
buy tramadol cheap tramadol cod delivery - buy tramadol discover card
generic cialis generic cialis good brand - cialis urine flow
viagra 100mg buy viagra online us no prescription - viagra online next day delivery
viagra for sale buy viagra online cheap with no prescription - buy genuine viagra us
generic cialis cheap cialis generic - certified online pharmacy cialis
viagra 50mg viagra buy online no prescription us - buy quality viagra online
cheap tadalafil cialis online doctor - cheap cialis viagra
buy cheap cialis generic cialis net - buy cialis retail
cialis online canada internetdrugcoupons.com/cialis-coupon - cialis 10mg cost
buy generic viagra buy viagra online with mastercard - buying generic viagra online reviews
viagra 100mg viagra lyrics 2 chainz - viagra dose for men
cheap viagra online viagra online website reviews - order viagra online next-day
cialis tadalafil long does daily cialis take work - is it safe to buy cialis online canada
purchase viagra cialis vs viagra for women - buy viagra on online
buy cialis buy cheap cialis line - price of cialis without insurance
buy cialis cheap cialis one a day - cialis prostate
tramadol generic tramadol no prescription overnight cod - tramadol online illegal
purchase soma buy soma online + usa - soma horas minutos online
online soma order somatropin usa - soma vicodin
soma sale online pharmacy no prescription needed soma - soma san diego security
online soma soma muscle relaxer generic - soma san diego girl talk
somas online buy soma american express - shokugeki no soma online
generic soma soma devlet hastanesi online randevu - soma quill riser
cheap soma discount code for soma - soma muscle relaxer and alcohol
buy cialis cialis once day reviews - cialis online in nz
legal buy tramadol online safe place buy ultram - buy tramadol egypt
buy tramadol online reviews tramadol for dogs effects - tramadol 100mg 50mg
buy tramadol saturday delivery generic tramadol - buy tramadol online fedex delivery
tramadol online cod inurl forum buy cheap tramadol - tramadol apap 37.5 dosage
tramadol no rx tramadol long term use - tramadol make u high
tramadol 50mg tramadol hcl 50 mg high - tramadol dosage kids
cheap tramadol tramadol urine test - tramadol online pharmacy usa
buy retin-a online retinadance - retin a cream for acne price
cheap tramadol tramadol maximum dosage - buy tramadol online reviews
buy tramadol cod overnight buy tramadol online cash on delivery - tramadol dosage acetaminophen
retin a buy online buy retin micro online no prescription - retin a cream hyperpigmentation
buy tramadol tramadol tab 50mg - tramadol hcl taken with tylenol
buy tramadol tramadol online mastercard - buy tramadol online no prescription next day delivery
buy retin a retin-a 4 cream - retin-a for acne pits
buy tramadol overnight tramadol overnight shipping - buy tramadol in australia
tramadol overnight shipping tramadol hcl 50 mg picture - tramadol shot
buy tramadol online order tramadol from usa - how to order tramadol
buy tramadol saturday delivery tramadol 319 - tramadol high lasts
cheap tramadol buy tramadol health solutions network - tramadol 50mg and dogs
cheap tramadol buy tramadol online bluelight - buy tramadol online no prescription
tramadol 100mg buy tramadol from thailand - tramadol hcl with ibuprofen
cheap tramadol buy tramadol in u.s - buy tramadol online australia
xanax online xanax drug food interactions - what is xanax used for medically
tramadol online buy tramadol online no rx - tramadol overdose dose
buy tramadol tramadol online us - tramadol 100mg tabs
buy tramadol without rx tramadol high buzz - tramadol 50 mg mfg zydus
buy tramadol rx tramadol online no prescription overnight delivery - tramadol withdrawal hot flashes
tramadol generic buy tramadol online mastercard - generic tramadol medication
buy tramadol usa tramadol hcl er 150 mg - can tramadol hcl 50 mg be cut in half
klonopin pharmacy 2mg klonopin no tolerance - klonopin dose to get high
http://landvoicelearning.com/#38471 tramadol hcl addiction - tramadol 100 mg lp
buy klonopin online klonopin withdrawal rebound - klonopin withdrawal chest pain
buy tramadol online buy tramadol online fedex delivery - buy tramadol florida
http://landvoicelearning.com/#63987 tramadol for dogs uses - tramadol 50mg tablets dosage
http://www.integrativeonc.org/adminsio/buyklonopinonline/#5508 how to get prescription for klonopin - klonopin wafers side effects
buy tramadol online buy tramadol cod shipping - tramadol online
buy klonopin online is it legal to order klonopin online - 2mg klonopin day
buy tramadol with cod buy tramadol with paypal - order tramadol online without prescription
Buy Priligy Online buy priligy malaysia - buy generic priligy uk
Post a Comment