From the course: Writing: The Craft of Story
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Story check: Be specific rather than vague
From the course: Writing: The Craft of Story
Story check: Be specific rather than vague
- If you want to be sure your story is grounded in specifics that the read not only needs but really wants to know, ask yourself the following questions, and be ruthless. First, have you translated every single generic into a specific? You want to make sure that everything on the page is so specific that, as far as the reader's concerned, your story is virtual reality. Second, will the reader know what your protagonist's specific reactions are? Remember, the reader isn't simply interested in what happens. What they really want to know is how what happiness is affecting your protagonist. Don't forget to let us in on what she's really thinking. Third, do all your sensory details, that is what something looks like, feels like, tastes like, have an actual story reason to be there? You want to be sure each sensory detail is strategically placed to give us insight into your characters, your story, and perhaps even your theme. Remember, the…
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