Setting for building tension, or what do you find to be creepy weather? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T09:13:01Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:160049?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A160296&feed=yes&xn_auth=noDear Deirde:
I do believe tha…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-22:537324:Comment:1607442008-09-22T03:26:45.948ZDarlenehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Darlene
Dear Deirde:<br />
I do believe that weather can be a dramatic influence on writing. It can either add to the tension, or be the tension.<br />
Fog... the calm before the storm... the dark shadows that can't be seen through... and many other can be very helpful in building tension in any writing, espicaly paranormal.<br />
UnScene
Dear Deirde:<br />
I do believe that weather can be a dramatic influence on writing. It can either add to the tension, or be the tension.<br />
Fog... the calm before the storm... the dark shadows that can't be seen through... and many other can be very helpful in building tension in any writing, espicaly paranormal.<br />
UnScene Hi Deirdre!
Let's see--I supp…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-20:537324:Comment:1605722008-09-20T17:45:45.190Zcarole gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
Hi Deirdre!<br />
Let's see--I suppose darkness can be pretty creepy and tense.<br />
A character in their own home at night, and the lights go out.<br />
Strange sounds from the basement--did someone break in?<br />
Darkness frightens me more than storms.<br />
Of course a really good gale like we have here in England can be extremely scary sometimes, the wind howling through the chimney--doors rattling, houses settling. wood creaking, all pretty atmospheric and inspiring!<br />
Anything moody can be scary--because the mind and…
Hi Deirdre!<br />
Let's see--I suppose darkness can be pretty creepy and tense.<br />
A character in their own home at night, and the lights go out.<br />
Strange sounds from the basement--did someone break in?<br />
Darkness frightens me more than storms.<br />
Of course a really good gale like we have here in England can be extremely scary sometimes, the wind howling through the chimney--doors rattling, houses settling. wood creaking, all pretty atmospheric and inspiring!<br />
Anything moody can be scary--because the mind and the eyes play tricks sometimes and what with our imaginations we can really be frightened.<br />
Ken Follett used the bleakness of Storm Island (a fictional island off the Scottish coast) to great effect in Eye of the Needle.<br />
And it wasn't in any way the trite "dark and stormy night." It was used purely in the context of moving the plot along. i.e. the Nazi spy was shipwrecked because of the storm, with information about the D-Day landings (and stuck there). I find characters talking to…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-17:537324:Comment:1603142008-09-17T23:34:21.605ZJude Hardinhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
<i>I find characters talking to each other in a vacuum rather boring.</i><br />
<br />
I agree. Dialogue should move the scene forward and illuminate character. If not, then it doesn't belong.<br />
<br />
If your characters are trying to talk in the middle of a sand storm in Iraq, then of course they're going to be affected by the weather. I would try to <b>show</b> the characters' reactions, though, rather than just <b>tell</b> the reader what the weather is doing.
<i>I find characters talking to each other in a vacuum rather boring.</i><br />
<br />
I agree. Dialogue should move the scene forward and illuminate character. If not, then it doesn't belong.<br />
<br />
If your characters are trying to talk in the middle of a sand storm in Iraq, then of course they're going to be affected by the weather. I would try to <b>show</b> the characters' reactions, though, rather than just <b>tell</b> the reader what the weather is doing. It all comes down to personal…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-17:537324:Comment:1603102008-09-17T22:14:12.529ZJohn Dishonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/whiteskwirl
It all comes down to personal preferences, I guess. I find characters talking to each other in a vacuum rather boring. But that's just me.
It all comes down to personal preferences, I guess. I find characters talking to each other in a vacuum rather boring. But that's just me. I agree with Elmore Leonard.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-17:537324:Comment:1603062008-09-17T21:54:20.488ZJude Hardinhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
I agree with Elmore Leonard. If a tree falls in the forest, and nobody is there to hear it, <b>then who gives a shit?</b> Weather is only important in how it affects the character. Otherwise, it's boring and invites skimage.
I agree with Elmore Leonard. If a tree falls in the forest, and nobody is there to hear it, <b>then who gives a shit?</b> Weather is only important in how it affects the character. Otherwise, it's boring and invites skimage. Hey now, that's some lean pro…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-17:537324:Comment:1602982008-09-17T20:59:57.472ZJohn Dishonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/whiteskwirl
Hey now, that's some lean prose. It's clear and to the point, no unnecessary words.
Hey now, that's some lean prose. It's clear and to the point, no unnecessary words. To answer your question, Deid…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-17:537324:Comment:1602962008-09-17T20:59:36.652ZJohn Dishonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/whiteskwirl
To answer your question, Deidre, if I was going to go for a creepy mood, I would make it as quiet as possible. There's nothing more unsettling than silence. Maybe a puff of wind to break the tension before the silence builds it back up again.
To answer your question, Deidre, if I was going to go for a creepy mood, I would make it as quiet as possible. There's nothing more unsettling than silence. Maybe a puff of wind to break the tension before the silence builds it back up again. That introductory paragraph h…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-17:537324:Comment:1602532008-09-17T13:30:49.942ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
That introductory paragraph has received undeserved attention (including a reward for the silliest imitation) for being poorly written. It isn't.
That introductory paragraph has received undeserved attention (including a reward for the silliest imitation) for being poorly written. It isn't. It was a dark and stormy nigh…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-17:537324:Comment:1601902008-09-17T01:52:59.753ZD. C. Hawkinshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/CurtDaniels
<s>It was a dark and stormy night.</s> Darn, guess I need to figure out a new opening.
<s>It was a dark and stormy night.</s> Darn, guess I need to figure out a new opening. Elmore Leonard's Rules are us…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-16:537324:Comment:1601592008-09-16T21:27:10.698ZJohn Dishonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/whiteskwirl
Elmore Leonard's Rules are useless. He undermines them by saying, don't do this--unless you can get away with it. Duh.
Elmore Leonard's Rules are useless. He undermines them by saying, don't do this--unless you can get away with it. Duh.