Stories have many moving parts, and sometimes it helps to think of each part as a thread in a tapestry. Each thread has its own colour, texture, and role to play in making the tapestry special. However, it’s the skill with which the threads are woven together that really brings out the beauty.
When it comes to words, there is nothing more beautiful than well-written descriptions. Young writers must learn to include figurative language and imagery throughout their stories. At first glance, this seems challenging, but there are a few strategies and guidelines that help make the process easier.
One way is to have characters interact with the setting. Instead of dropping random sentences of description for characters and setting separately, have the characters react to their environment. For example, if writers want to show that the path characters are walking on is rugged, they can have characters stumble on an uneven pavement. And to emphasize an untidy room, characters can trip on an object that’s out of place. Characters can also make observations about their environment through dialogue, rather than the author just telling readers what’s there.
Those observations should be accompanied by emotional reactions in order to make them meaningful. When these things are done, writers will also have an opportunity to show a character’s attitude or personality through positive or negative reactions. So after the experience, characters could say things out loud or think something that helps readers learn more about them.
As a result, a lot more showing instead of telling can happen because these are instances where imagery can be used. Writers would be able to describe what characters are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching, as well as how they move and feel. And because actions and reactions are part of plot development, stories can move forward with excitement and energy instead of stopping for unconnected descriptions just to bring readers up to speed.
