A
good writer always tries to engage the imagination of his or her
readers. As an aspiring writer you need to remember that a reader
can’t get inside your head, so it is necessary to “paint the picture”
that you want your readers to see. Since we only have words with which
to paint, I want you to practice creating “images and actions” and
placing those images somewhere to help you paint pictures with your
writing.
For my writers in Fitzbloggers who have been with me for a few years, this is still an excellent exercise to practice in your narratives, essays, and stories! It is a skill I always try to be conscious of in my own writing--as imperfect as it still is!
Here we go:
Specific Image: A specific image is always a noun and any adjectives that describe that noun. A specific image is as focused as possible.
For example:
- “A person in a car“ is an image, but it is not an image that a reader will see they way you want them to see it; however, “The woman with the wild red hair in the white 1966 Corvette with chrome wheels” is a specific image that forces a reader to use their own imagination to see it more clearly--even if they are not sure “exactly” what a corvette looks like.
Action: An action is always a verb and any adverbs that describe the action:
For example:
- “The woman with the wild red hair in the white 1966 Corvette with chrome wheels squealed around the corner at 100 miles per hour.
Place: The place is where the images and
actions are happening. The place should always be as specific as
possible. A racetrack is a place, but it is not specific; however, “The
aging two mile oval of brick at the Indianapolis Racetrack” is
specific.
Put all three of these together and you can create a picture that a reader can see and experience more fully--in the way that you want them to see it! Plus, it is also proof that you know what you are talking about, and, like supporting facts in an essay, it makes you more believable and trustworthy.
The woman with the wild red hair in the white 1966 Corvette with chrome wheels squealed around the corner at 100 miles per hour on the aging two mile oval of brick at the Indianapolis Racetrack.
Question:To make your image, action, and place more interesting, simply ask a question. For example: Why is this woman on the racetrack? What is she thinking? Who is she? Is she escaping from alien space invaders? Any one of these questions will serve as a topic for a paragraph--or even the start of a whole story.
Your Job: In your blog, create five Specific Images & Actions & Place and a Question. They don’t have to be fictional. Even just sitting in your backyard you will see many images and actions that work:
For example:
- The ruffled sparrow chirping endlessly in the windblown pine tree: Is it laughing or crying?
- My little five year old brother, alone in our backyard, tosses up the plastic ball and swings his yellow whiffleball bat: Is he having fun?
Choose one of these scenes and answer the question in a detailed
way. Don’t worry about telling a great story. Learning to write well is
like the five year old swinging at the ball: just try and hit it--that
is success!
Thanks and have fun! I’ll be checking your blogs on a daily basis. Use the chatbox to let people know when you have posted something new! Be sure to check out the other blogs in your group and leave comments that are specific, supportive, and substantial!
Fitz
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