The Fine Art of Specificity
Learning Objectives
- Participants would have learnt the basic aspects of storytelling.
- Setting (Time/Place), Plot, Characterization, Conflict and Resolution, towards reaching towards specificity, a skill that makes for more powerful and grounded storytelling.
The Fine Art of Specificity
Tutor: Tj Benson
I’m so grateful for these tricks! Thank you so much. I think I often find myself drawn to indirect characterization which can be tricky especially when I want to switch from the main character’s voice to my own voice which is much more descriptive. I know this is complex and there are several ways to approach this but do you have any advice or recommendations on how to handle indirect characterization eloquently?
Sometimes, it can be useful to have a physical “switch”, to tie the shift in POV with a physical action so that the change in POV occurs within the segue. . . for example, a main character, or a POV character, dropping a glass cup on a table can present the opportunity to shift to another character, say a barman or a caged parrot or even the ceiling. This is a trick some writers use but there are many other ways. Is this helpful, Fanidh?
Very insightful.
Thank you for the better understanding of how, plot, characterization, conflict, and resolution form a good story.
We are glad that this is helpful, Dorcas.
Such an eye opener. Let me say a big thank you.
Glad to get this feedback, the tutor will be very delighted by this. We hope this aids your story telling for PCVE under this project and beyond.
This is awesome. I have always been struggling with how to “Show not Tell” now it’s clear. Thanks a lot.
Here’s to more knowledge sharing and even better stories that will impact the communities around us, Dorcas Lungashi.
This is an eye opener. Thanks for this.
🙂
The fine art of making a character!
The basic elements of a good story, setting,plot, characterization,conflict and resolution actually bring the story to life . It draws the reader into deeper understanding of what we are trying to transmit to them.
Back in high school, we used to analyse stories based on these elements . Sometimes we would think that we are doing more to the story than the author. Today you have debunked this myth quite well. It is indeed important for the author themself to put emphasis on these details.
Correct!
Thank you for the pointers TJ, I think characterization would be what always separates an outstanding writer and an okay one. you have given us a lot to chew on.
Absolutely right. The peculiarities of character are what make a fiction full-bodied and thus more “real”.
Wow! Thanks very much for this , sir. My note is full.
🙂 You’re welcome!
The lesson has been very insightful on how to pursue specificity in creative writing. The character map provides a good beginning point on how to approach my writing. I am optimistic that I will employ the lessons in my writing in order to tell engaging stories. Thank you Sir.
Thanks for an enlightening session. Loved the part about an author being convincing. I once read a piece from a literal genius about “Good fiction writers having the ability to lie convincingly and if you can’t lie convincingly don’t write fiction.” See you in the next module 👌👍
See ya!
There are aspects you can’t do without in matters fiction, and conflict is something that should be in all kinds of stories being told. That is why the important thing is how believable that conflict is, how affected your characters are, and how the resolution brings new changes to everyone around.
True. Also the issue of “emotional truth”, what resonates.
My thoughts on the fine art of specificity are that it brings a different aspect to the story as it helps the reader to form pictures in their mind as they read.
It makes a story relatable as it describes places or instances that the reader might have cone by one way or another which also makes it entertaining especially in the instance the reader might have come across the same scenario.
My trial on the dialogue exercise:
The five year Old’s: Baby: I’m hungry, I want food😭
Junior: Me too😭
The twenty seven year Old’s : Otieno: I’m dying , Is there food?
Melvin : You know the kitchen
😀 Exactly. You create a world of subtle winks into which the reader brings his own imagination. . .
Setting, time and place, plot of the story, characters, characterisation, (direct, indirect) conflict, resolution, dialogue
Great tips for story development.
Absolutely.
its true, the conversation between 5 year olds and conversation between 27 year olds is totally different.Thanks for this piece, must have made this mistake a couple of times in my writing
This was very helpful, TJ. Thank you.
Here’s my attempt at the dialogue exercise:
5 YEAR OLDS:
Chidi: Is it Tanty Joy that give you biscuit?
Chike: (Chewing) Mmm-hmm.
Chidi: (Stretches out hand) Gimme now?
27 YEAR OLDS:
Seun: My guy! Chop alone, die alone. See as you dey wack, only you. You no fit call person?
Shola: Shebi you dey work? Shebi you get money? If na food dey hungry you so, go buy Indomie.
😀 !