There are four key elements to adding texture to a tale: flashback, foreshadowing, sub-plots and coincidence. The following explanations and examples will help you have a better understanding of each element.
Flashback
A flashback adds a dramatic layer to your story. It shows a past event which has a direct relevance to what is happening to the protagonist. Many authors use a flashback to help the reader understand why the protagonist acts in a particular way. Never have a flashback within a flashback. It’s just too complicated and confuses your readers no end.
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is technique of planting information which is seemingly insignificant in the reader’s mind, but later becomes vital in the story. They are primarily used in crime dramas. For instance, a detective is searching a room at the murder scene and sees some photographs on the wall. Much later, when a suspect lies about not knowing the victim, the detective remembers that he saw a photograph of the suspect and the victim in a photo at the victim’s house.
Sub-plots
Sub-plots are secondary plots which are always kept in the background of the story. They involve minor characters and their dramas. The aim of a sub-plot should be to offer moments of light relief for a protagonist who is already exhausted and worn-out from his own trials and tribulations.
Let’s go back to the story of our detective in the murder story. The sub-plot here can be that he has to look after his mother’s cat as she’s gone on a holiday. Our detective often complains that his mother seems to love this cat more than she loves him. In addition, he has a problem with cats as they make make him sneeze. One day, when he returns from work, the cat’s missing. Now, you have someone who is looking for a murderer and also a much-loved cat!
Coincidence
Almost all novels have flukes or chance meetings between characters to keep the narrative tightly focused. In fact, readers have come to expect such twists of fate. However, if you overdo them and have too many coincidences, your story will begin to annoy the reader. Do not use a coincidence to get your protagonist out of trouble. For instance, if your protagonist is being robbed, you will certainly annoy your reader if you say that your protagonist’s best friend just happened to be in the neighbourhood and stumbled upon the robbery in the nick of time. Try to make it a little more interesting. Perhaps you could say that the friend turns up after the robbery and helps your protagonist make a police report.
The skill of adding texture by balancing the elements mentioned above will certainly increase the quality of your novel. Master the techniques of using flashbacks, foreshadowing, sub-plots and coincidence and publishers will certainly look at your novel closely.
Sources
- WritersandArtists.co.uk. Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook. A&C Black (June 30, 2010)
- Editors of Writer's Digest Books. The Complete Handbook Of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work. Writer’s Digest Books; 2 edition (August 22, 2010).
Aneeta Sundararaj - Aneeta Sundararaj is an established freelance writer and published author who writes well-researched articles on various topics.
