by Janice McCaffrey
As a fiction writing beginner I’ve had problems building scenes that are compatible with my intentions. Experienced authors and how-to books all say, “Write a draft then rewrite it and rewrite it and rewrite it.” But I still didn’t get it.
Then one day, exercising trust in my friend and mentor, I asked for her critique. She said, “you need more detailed descriptions here, you need dialogue there, your characters need to move within a scene, show emotions through body language, dramatize more.” And she asked, “What is he thinking? Why is she doing that?”
Was I feeling overwhelmed? Yes! But during my next computer session, like magic, I had a vision. A visual in my mind’s eye showing me the process in a way I could understand.
Layering.
In visual arts layering is done with transparent sheets; a different part of a scene is painted on each sheet. When the sheets are stacked one on top of the other, like magic, a complete picture appears. An artist’s masterpiece.
And as you see, from the example picture, now-a-days this can be done on computer or IPhone.
My mind’s eye saw my draft (the story line) sitting on my desk and floating down onto it a transparency, not with painted objects, but words; words describing setting and character details. A second clear sheet added dialogue. Another gave my characters animation, the next, body language to invoke emotional responses in the reader. Inner-dialogue topped it off showing me a well written scene one layer at a time.
And it continues to work. As I write I visualize each element on separate transparent sheets as I add them one-by-one to my story’s foundation. Remembering each layer keeps me focused and determined to create finished scenes that convey the images, messages, and feelings I’ve intended as I work toward my masterpiece.
A Whitefish Review Event at Crush Lounge (
other. Lavonne, Betty, Tom Kuffel, Sue Purvis, Constance and Brian See, along with Robert FitzGerald, meet as friends and writers most Monday and Thursday mornings at 0830. We discuss writerly things and identify solutions to world problems while eating pastries and drinking great coffee. Join us sometime.
Montana Women Writers 