Feb. 3, 2006
I haven't seen any of the films nominated for Oscar this year, but I want to mention The Lord of the Rings as an example of what I'm getting at today.

Peter Jackson used a wide variety of techniques in making those films. Not just behind-the-scenes techniques like special effects and body doubles for long shots of the Hobbits and how he placed actors in the scene so it appeared that Gandalf was tall and Frodo was short--and if you don't know, watch some of the extra DVD materials.

But up-front things: aerial shots, tracking shots, close-ups, reaction shots, shots made close to the ground (watch the scene in The Two Towers when Aragorn thinks Pippen and Merry are dead and kicks the helmet in rage and frustration--by the way, Viggo broke a couple toes in that particular take. It looks like the camera's on the ground.)

My point is Jackson has a very big toolbox filled with a lot of tools and he used them.

We as writers have a toolbox and some of us fill them with tools and some of us don't, but in a long work of fiction, it's an excellent idea to use as many tools as possible.

For example, in dialogue, not just he said or she said, but: "Are you out of your mind?" She pressed her hands against her ears and closed her eyes. "I don't want to know!"


Versus, "Are you out of your mind?" she asked. "I don't want to know!"

Versus: "Are you out of your mind? I don't want to know!"

Versus:

Marci: "Are you out of your mind? I don't want to know!"

Variety is the spice of life, and that's true in writing as well. You can get a little too flashy, in my opinion, but it depends on the work. It needs to serve the work. But mixing it up helps, too.

I think you need to stay away from static description and lecturing and include these in action, but I would also say--most of the time. From time to time a bit of static description or lecturing may be appropriate, as long as it's done in an effective manner or it has some purpose--sometimes it's worthwhile to slow the story down a bit or bring attention to something. I remember when I read JK Rowling's "The Order of the Phoenix," I got rather annoyed early on with all of her detailed descriptions of Harry's first trip to the Ministry of Magic. It went on and on and on... well, there was a reason for it. The entire climax of the novel takes place there and she didn't want to have to slow that down with description, so she put it in earlier.

One serious caveat. Just because you've got a tool doesn't mean you have to use it. You can do quite nicely by having straightforward, solid, clear, effective writing. In fact, you should, most of the time. That's your vehicle. The rest may be the chrome and the paint job or some nice scenery on your trip.

What's in your toolbox?

Best,
Mark Terry