This week’s show gets a bit heated as we struggle to define (or agree on a definition) of foreshadowing and all its nuance. What makes good foreshadowing? How does it function in a story? Can you write it in draft one, or is it revision only?
VIDEO
AUDIO
SHOW NOTES
As a writer, do you consciously try for foreshadowing, or is it a miraculous surprise? What feeling should foreshadowing give the reader? And what are the differences between foreshadowing, laying clues, or layering plot elements? What truly is the nuance of this portion of the craft, and is it okay that all of us have different definitions?
What we talked about:
Do you consciously try to foreshadow as you draft your stories? (0:45)
So what is the art of foreshadowing? (3:05)
What feeling should foreshadowing give the reader? (5:30)
Are there two types of foreshadowing? Or are they two different things? (6:25)
How important is something feeling off to foreshadowing? (9:35)
Should the reader know things have been planted before they come to fruition? (11:22)
Is there a difference between laying in clues and foreshadowing? (13:43)
What is the difference between foreshadowing and a twist? (19:35)
How foreshadowing operates by creating a shadow in the mind of a reader of what is to come. (21:03)
What about foreshadowing and layering? (22:23)
LINKS
Things we mentioned:
Jack Reacher series by Lee Child
Downton Abbey