Atmosphere and Mood

by Adam Huddleston

This week’s literary term(s) are atmosphere and mood. They more or less equate to the same thing with subtle differences. Atmosphere is the overall feeling or mood in a story. This can be affected by a good description of objects or the environment. For example, gothic horror leaned upon the trope of dark, rainy nights and old, dusty castles. The imagery helps the reader to understand that the story has a scary or depressive feel.

Mood is similar but may change throughout the plot. Also, this aspect is more closely related to characters than to location. For example, a protagonist’s mood may begin as happy, progress through stages of fear, and return again if he triumphs over the antagonist. This variation can occur even if the surrounding atmosphere remains constant.

When emphasizing atmosphere and mood, take care to use familiar (but not stereotypical) wording, so as not to confuse or bore your reader. When fully developed, these parts of your story will draw the audience in and leave them satisfied.

Happy writing!

Prologue

by Adam Huddleston

This week’s literary term is: prologue. The prologue to a story is the opening scene (or scenes), that usually introduce the reader to the theme of the tale. They are told from a character’s point of view as opposed to that of the author. The prologue may play a key role in the plot of the story, or it may simply be used to familiarize the reader with one or more of the characters or setting.

An effective prologue should also grab the audience’s attention. Remember, this is the first thing they will encounter (sometimes as they’re standing in the book store deciding whether or not to make the purchase), and if it is dull, you run the risk of having them place the book back on the shelf and moving on.

Notable (but brief), prologues include: “Once upon a time” and “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.”

Happy writing!

Hamartia

by Adam Huddleston

This week’s literary term is: hamartia. It is also referred to as a “tragic flaw.” A hamartia is an aspect of the protagonist which can hinder their progress or possibly bring about their downfall. This “tragic flaw” can be external, but more often than not, it is an internal characteristic. For example, hubris (ego or pride) is one of the more commonly seen problems with characters. This inflated sense of oneself may lead to unwise decisions.

One of the positive results of utilizing a character’s hamartia, is that they are more relatable. Readers like to see a hero that suffers from the same issues that they do. This can increase suspense for the reader because they may realize that the protagonist could ultimately fail due to their flaws.

Hopefully, the use of hamartia in your writing will help flesh out your characters and make the story more enjoyable. Happy writing!

Hamartia

by Adam Huddleston

This week’s literary term is: hamartia. It is also referred to as a “tragic flaw.” A hamartia is an aspect of the protagonist which can hinder their progress or possibly bring about their downfall. This “tragic flaw” can be external, but more often than not, it is an internal characteristic. For example, hubris (ego or pride) is one of the more commonly seen problems with characters. This inflated sense of oneself may lead to unwise decisions.

One of the positive results of utilizing a character’s hamartia, is that they are more relatable. Readers like to see a hero that suffers from the same issues that they do. This can increase suspense for the reader because they may realize that the protagonist could ultimately fail due to their flaws.

Hopefully, the use of hamartia in your writing will help flesh out your characters and make the story more enjoyable. Happy writing!

Static Character

by Adam Huddleston

This week’s literary device is the static character. A static character is one that experiences no arc throughout the story. Their motivations and personalities remain the same from beginning to end. This is not to say that a static character is also a “flat” character. Flat characters are one dimensional. A static character can be fleshed out as much as the author wishes.

Some examples of static characters are: Scar in “The Lion King”, Draco Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” series, and Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird”. They remain constant throughout their tales and often are employed to aid the protagonist or antagonist in their pursuits.

Hopefully, the use of static characters will help you in your craft. Happy writing!

Dialect

by Adam Huddleston

The literary term this week is: dialect. This word is simply defined as the pronunciation, grammar, and spelling of a particular people. Dialect is one facet that separates groups of people from one another. Using dialect effectively increases the level of characterization and leads to more enjoyment by the reader.

Many authors have used regional dialects well. The first author that comes to my mind is Mark Twain. If you’ve ever read Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn, you can almost feel Southern speech dripping off the page. My favorite author, Stephen King, uses speech patterns and phrases often heard in the northern New England states.

One word of advice: if you give a character a specific dialect, be cautious that it is one generally understood by your audience and not what you think it sounds like. For example, some may believe that all Southerners use the term “ain’t” or drop the “g” off of the ending of words. Many do, but don’t fall into the trap of stereotyping.

Hopefully, the proper use of dialect will flesh out your characters. Happy writing!

More Funny Pics About Writing

by Adam Huddleston

     Here are more humorous pics about writing:

Author Intrusion

by Adam Huddleston

This week’s literary term is: author intrusion. Another similar phrase you may have heard is: breaking the fourth wall. It is a device where the author/narrator speaks directly to the reader/audience. This can be used to give the reader extra information that might be difficult or time-consuming to acquire. For example, in a stage-play, a character may step aside and speak to the viewers about what other characters in the story are thinking or doing.

Malapropism

by Adam Huddleston

Here’s another quick literary term to add to your repertoire: malapropism. It is defined as the use of an incorrect word (with a similar sound) for a correct one.

Why would you do this?

It can be used to show that the speaker is confused, upset, or otherwise impaired. It is important to understand that in order to be effective, the two words must be similar in sound or structure.

For example, in “Much Ado About Nothing” a character states: “Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons.” In this case, the speaker substituted comprehended for apprehended.

I hope this helps in your writing!

Alliteration

by Adam Huddleston

This week’s literary term concerns a device often used by poets, but not as much by novelists. Alliteration is defined as the repetitive use of words with similar sounds in quick succession. For example: George the Giant jumped over the garage. It can be very effective in children’s literature (where the reader often enjoys the sounds) or lyrical writing. Most novelists try to avoid alliteration however in that it can distract the more mature reader from the overall story.

Happy writing!