As we know, "Showing" is more effective in bringing the reader into the moment or the scene. But we can really enhance our "showing" skills further if we know how to use the full impact of skillfully crafted sentences to:
- create a visual image in the reader's mind
- evoke a particular emotional response
- engage the readers deductive reasoning powers
You can do this by planting clues in the reader's mind, but not provide all the information. Under-write. Be manipulative. The reader's mind will provide the missing information, which will be all the more vivid or powerful as a result.
Here are some examples:
Jane turned to the estate agent. "It's not really what I'm looking for. It is far more than I want to pay, and the wallpaper in the lounge is too bright."
In the above example, it is clear that Jane doesn't want to buy the house. It is also clear that she is not giving all the real reasons. The reader will have to work out what is really going on here in the story (although in this example, we don't have sufficient information yet).
Tom ambled down the sunken lane towards the church, through the soft dusk of a late autumn afternoon. The earthy scent of damp leaves burning on bonfires drifted on the wind. At the lychgate, he hesitated. The grave was still too recent.
Mrs Jones had Bill's army photos framed and hung up in his old room. His bed was made and his clothes put away in the wardrobe, all ready for his return. The room was kept spotless.
Can you use subtle writing in your current piece?
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