Strategic of Writing: Tone

Before writing a story, you have to sit down and think logically (which for me is difficult. Logic in an oober creative mind just doesn't fit together nicely. Spock and I wouldn't get along.) There is a lot of responsibility involved in writing a book: the characters rely on you to reveal their story in an engaging, accurate way, the world in which the story's in must be told in the best way, and the readers rely on you to take them somewhere good. That's a lot! And that's not all of it! There are strategic things you can do to make a story pop so before writing your epic adventure, sit down and plan. It's kind of like a battle strategy and if you louse the villain of the story will win and it'll be a sucky book. Who wants that?

There are several strategies I will share, but today I'll talk about tone. Tone is such a basic yet vital aspect of a story. If your tone is off, everything's off. What do I mean by tone? Tone is the feel the reader gets based on the words you choose to use. For example:

"The emerald grass swayed as the two walked hand in hand; the sunset dazzled their eyes as the wind kissed their cheeks." What feel did that give you? A bit gushy and romantic? If this was one of the first lines in a story, you would know the writer's style is poetic and likes to describe in a unique way. Now look at the same scene with a different tone:

"They walked through the grass, holding hands, and shielding their eyes against the sunset." A bit different feel, don't you think? This one's simpler, basic in a way. It isn't poetic or romantic. More down to earth. It's just showing two people walking hand in hand during the sunset. Nothing too special, and yet it has the same point as the one before. Because the tone is different, the entire feel is different. 

Isn't that awesome! Tone can shape the entire structure of a scene and make it sound one way or another. The idea is to guide the reader's mind in a specific direction so that it goes where you want. For instant, in the first example above, I used words that convey tranquility and happiness; emerald, dazzled, and kissed. Each word give an uplifting image and feel. Whereas, the other example was more cut and dry because of the word choice; shielding and against. Those two words implied opposition hence the feel of the scene is different. It is all in the words you decide to use.

You can use this when building up a certain feel in a story. Please keep in mind that you are in control. The reader will only know what you tell them and, if written correctly, feel what you want them to feel. Small clues can hint to a reader what tone they should feel. The rules are simple and there are only two:

1.     Use words that hint to the desired tone

2.     DON'T OVER DO IT! 

Well no duh use words that hint to the desired tone! No, don't judge my rules. Think about it. When entering a happy scene, don't use words that will work against your tone: hard ground, sharp color, a bird beat the air with its wings, wind moaned through the trees, etc. Those words, and several others, are good for a harsh, colder tone, but not a happy go lucky one. Same thing for a creepy scene. No happy, fluffy words that take away from the scene's punch: voice low and soft, the stars were distant beckons, and so on. 

As for rule number two. . . .

"The man, his nose a sharp beak between dark, beady eyes, stared down at the children with a crooked frown; his fingers curled like talons."

Read it again. What tone does this give? Why that tone? Think about it.

I described the man as a bird, more specifically a raven, with his beaked nose, beady eyes, and talon fingers. It is obvious he is not pleased with the children and they may be in danger. Anyone could have figured that out. Readers are smart. Writers seem to forget that and describe every aspect of a scene and spoon feed the reader everything. Don't do it. It’s belittling and insulting. Most likely, by the time you read "his nose a sharp beak . . ." in the sentence above, you knew he gave off a negative tone. Less is more. AKA remember readers don't equal idiots. Don't treat them like an idiots. 

Isn't this fun? I'm enjoying myself! The strategic ways to write fascinate me and make me excited! How about you? Are you ready to create tones that fit perfectly with your scenes? Awesome! Have at it! As always, experiment, play around, and find what works for you.

Happy writing!

Exercise:

Find a picture that is semi neutral, it can be positive or negative depending on how you look at it. Get out your writing utensils and write a positive scene based off the picture. Once you are done, write another in a different way. After you are finished, write one last paragraph of a positive scene in yet again a different angle. (Most of the time original drafts are okay, but never the best. Three's a charm anyways.) 

Now, write a negative scene of the picture. As before, rewrite it two more times and use different ideas and viewpoints to describe it. Read it over and give your favorite draft to a trusted friend. Ask what feel they get from your narrative. 

Are you happy with your results?

If not, work on it until you reach it, because I know you will.

If you did, awesome! Keep working on it because we all have room for improvement.