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| Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, Sloth |
| For writers, these are not the Seven Deadly Sins!!! |
| The following lists one or more of hundreds practiced by writers of all skill levels |
Rhythm
While the word, rhythm is used interchangeably with flow, pace, and tempo, I
consider it more of a combination of speed and timing in a novel.
The rhythm of every novel must change continually.
Fast-paced action scenes must be interleaved with sequels or breathers for a
reader. These include,
1. Narrative scenes—those that provide descriptions, background
information, character reflection, etc, and
2. Transitional scenes—used to alter time or place and provide a
transition to the next scene.
But always remember, a story must flow, one scene to the next, one chapter
to the next, all leading to the intended climax. If a writer veers off course
into an irrelevant tangent that doesn’t add to the story or keep it moving, he
will jolt and potentially halt the reader’s interaction with the story. This
mistake usually results in the writer losing his reader.
In action novels of all kinds, the rhythm increases its speed step-by-step,
rising to a crescendo but always with interspersed calm periods. This
variation in rhythm is essential to maintain a reader’s interest.
There is no formula for how to establish and then change the rhythm of a
novel. Each writer and each novel must establish the rhythm that will
ensure a reader’s attention is maintained.
Remember, a steady flow of dialogue or narrative will appear tedious and
boring to a reader while continuous action will wear out the most vigorous
reader. Select a rhythm that feels right to you as a reader.
Rhythm and Sentence Structure
The structure of sentences and their placement plays a significant role in a
novel’s Rhythm.
Depending on the desires of a writer and the needs of the scene, e.g. dialogue,
interior monologue, narrative, etc., a writer may choose to use the following
in any combination. The object is to provide a rhythm that is comfortable for
the reader—not Faulkner, but also not choppy.
Long sentences/paragraphs
Short sentences/paragraphs
Single word sentences/paragraphs
Sentence fragments
Independent phrases connected by a conjunction
Independent phrases as standalone sentences
a conjunction prior to the last phrase/item.
While the word, rhythm is used interchangeably with flow, pace, and tempo, I
consider it more of a combination of speed and timing in a novel.
The rhythm of every novel must change continually.
Fast-paced action scenes must be interleaved with sequels or breathers for a
reader. These include,
1. Narrative scenes—those that provide descriptions, background
information, character reflection, etc, and
2. Transitional scenes—used to alter time or place and provide a
transition to the next scene.
But always remember, a story must flow, one scene to the next, one chapter
to the next, all leading to the intended climax. If a writer veers off course
into an irrelevant tangent that doesn’t add to the story or keep it moving, he
will jolt and potentially halt the reader’s interaction with the story. This
mistake usually results in the writer losing his reader.
In action novels of all kinds, the rhythm increases its speed step-by-step,
rising to a crescendo but always with interspersed calm periods. This
variation in rhythm is essential to maintain a reader’s interest.
There is no formula for how to establish and then change the rhythm of a
novel. Each writer and each novel must establish the rhythm that will
ensure a reader’s attention is maintained.
Remember, a steady flow of dialogue or narrative will appear tedious and
boring to a reader while continuous action will wear out the most vigorous
reader. Select a rhythm that feels right to you as a reader.
Rhythm and Sentence Structure
The structure of sentences and their placement plays a significant role in a
novel’s Rhythm.
Depending on the desires of a writer and the needs of the scene, e.g. dialogue,
interior monologue, narrative, etc., a writer may choose to use the following
in any combination. The object is to provide a rhythm that is comfortable for
the reader—not Faulkner, but also not choppy.
Long sentences/paragraphs
Short sentences/paragraphs
Single word sentences/paragraphs
Sentence fragments
Independent phrases connected by a conjunction
Independent phrases as standalone sentences
- Dependent phrases connected by a conjunction
Dependent phrases connected by a comma (This is a type of sentence
fragment)
a conjunction prior to the last phrase/item.
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| O nature's noblest gift -- my grey goose-quill! Slave of my thoughts, obedient to my will, Torn from thy parent bird to form a pen, That mighty instrument of little men! Lord Byron (1788-1824) |