Categories: Authorprenuership

On denoting feeling

As I move more in depth to describe and impart a greater degree of characterization to my writing.  I am struggling with the show and don’t tell mantra.  How to denote anger without saying my character was angry?  How do I spice up the read?

I have remembered something from a training I used to do that I believe might help me and those that also have struggled.  In a simple word: Para verbal communication.  Well I suppose that’s two words, but hey it’s my blog.

Para verbal communication is spoken communication that consists of one’s voice tone, volume and rate or rhythm of one’s speech.  And these elements can be visually described for a reader.

Tone of voice: There are 4 ways to convey the meaning to this sentence, “I didn’t say you were stupid.”  How would you write it to capture each meaning?  The meaning changes depending on which words you emphasize.  Try it and see.  Just by italicizing one word can change its whole meaning.

Volume: Someone who speaks so softly as to whisper is a different character than one who speaks so loud over a phone; patrons in line at a grocery store can hear the conversation.

Rate and rhythm of speech: Does the character sound panicked?  Or does he or she speak in a dry monotone response when spoken too?  Remember McCoy from Star Trek and Spock?  Their dialogue was wonderful in part to the variances of how they communicated   McCoy was passionate and emotional in contrast to Spock who was cool and logical.  It’s easier to see the differences in characterization when they are offset against their opposites.

I don’t pretend to be an expert.  But I am ever learning to become a great story teller.  And using para verbal’s in writing dialogue and exposition of characters can go a long way to bring life into them.

 

Donovan

Donovan M. Neal is the Amazon best-selling independently published author of the Third Heaven Series: a speculative Christian fantasy four book series that explores the captivating story about the fall of Lucifer. The book takes readers on an epic journey through the celestial realms, offering a unique perspective on the events surrounding Lucifer’s rebellion and his descent into darkness. In this imaginative tale, Donovan weaves together elements of Christian theology, angelic mythology, and fantastical world-building. The story delves into the cosmic conflict between good and evil, painting a vivid picture of the spiritual warfare that unfolded in the heavens. Donovan has published eleven books and is currently working on publishing five more in the year 2023 alone. His books have reached thirteen countries including India, Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil and across Europe, Canada and the US. He has sold over thirty thousand units of his books and generated over a quarter million in gross sales part time and without an agent. Donovan has produced fiction; non-fiction and most recently published a graphic novel. His genre of preference is fantasy and he has been named among such notable authors as Frank Perretti, Brian Godawa, and the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser. When he’s not writing or working, Donovan can be found gaming or enjoying various forms of media. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and a graduate degree in Non-profit Management from Walden University. Prior to his current career, Donovan served in ordained ministry from 1993-2011 and has extensive experience teaching the Bible. You can learn more about him professionally if you would like by clicking here. His favorite movie is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He also enjoys gaming and can be found on the Playstation5 deep in Destiny 2, He’s owned most gaming systems all the way back from Atari and Pong! and has made several friends from his beloved days on World of Warcraft. A lover of such classics as chess and backgammon he loves most games and the strategy behind them. When he is not imagining comic conflicts between good and evil he is helping to secure employment for housing insecure women as the Executive Director of a non-profit in the city of Detroit and also serves in the prayer and discipleship ministry of his local church.

Share
Published by
Donovan

Recent Posts

Introducing “Hutari: Scion of Prophet and Crown” back blurb!

Greetings, dear readers! It's been a while since I last reached out, but believe me…

5 months ago

Reimbursement in AI Training: Lessons from Reparations Debates and the Henrietta Lacks Cell Controversy

Balancing Copyright, Compensation, and Complexity in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, With Insights from Medical…

8 months ago

How Understanding Your MBTI Can Shape Your Author Marketing Approach

As an author, you pour your heart and soul into crafting captivating stories or sharing…

1 year ago

Provenance of Gods and Men

“My father, the God Hesphus, created me over a thousand years ago. And one day…

2 years ago