Realism is a tricky thing to
conquer when you’re starting out as a writer. Sometimes it comes naturally and
other times it is hard to pin down. In fact, it’s a topic where I have yet to
find a “how to” book on. Now that may make it sound like an impossible thing –
cause if teaching advice on it from the masters doesn’t exist then why bother?
Actually the reason is a little bit simpler than that. In reality, you don’t
see a book solely about writing for realism because realism is connected to
other forms of writing.
Examples: Writing for
Details
In your characters’ actions
In your characters’ dialogue
And the “HCS” (Heart Clenching Scene – AKA
Writing for Emotion)
Realism Writing With Your Characters
Writing for realism is
something that, like details, you can go overboard on while writing. But when
it’s done right you have a story that is beyond lovable, it’s considered a “real”
story. Here’s an example on how to write realism using outline notes for a key
scene in a work in progress of mine.
Example 1: Woman gets kissed
by the person she despises but spaces out and never slaps the person when they
run into each other for a second time.
Example 2: A woman gets
kissed by the one person she despises – she spaces out for a moment and the guy
gets away unharmed, next time they meet she slaps him and says why she’s
slapped him before making a mature exit from the building.
Both could technically be
realistic to a point, but in all honesty when someone gets kissed by someone
who decides to go full on assault when they’ve been told no, there’s going to
be slaps and purse throws. Realism is easy to pull off when considering your
character’s reaction to things. Either through dialogue or body reactions,
realism is something that can make blah dialogue into “oh my weeping heart”
dialogue.
Writing for emotion is one
of my favorite ways to use realism writing. Ever read something where the
reactions don’t match the character’s traits? That’s the kind of book that get
dumped after a chapter or two. To be good with realism writing geared toward
characters, you should be observant – a people watcher without gawking. Daily
motions like going to the store or the post office can spark ideas for how to
be more realistic with your characters.
Realism Writing With Details
First step to any project is
to do research. I have the habit of going the extra mile. Here’s an example of
how far I go when researching:
Yes, I bought a sword as a fantasy-writing/historical-writing
prop. In fact, I have a collection of fantasy and medieval-esque weapons that I
bought for writing and as photography props. (Plus for fun.)
How did I manage to use this
for realism?
1.
By having this,
I can properly describe the weapon both in daily life (cleaning it, sharpening
it, using it outside of battle) and in the battle sequences. By watching
documentaries of how it’s made, I can add the emotional connection between
fighter and weapon. (Especially when it breaks.)
2.
Having this, I
can combined what I can do with the sword with what documentaries and anatomy
books say is physically possible – so that means realistic, physics, and
physically accurate writing which adds another layer to the world.
3.
Reference is the
liability partner of realism writing.
I’d never call fight scenes
a forte, but knowing what is realistic in terms of what’s possible makes for
something that can’t be torn apart by readers and critics. (Close the
loopholes! Even when it is not the plot, you must close loopholes.)
To illustrate how frequently
media butchers realism – my whole college physics class was on finding
movies/games/shows that did their physics right and the final was on an essay
about movie physics done wrong.
Next up: Ann’s Writing
Foundations: Realism pt 2 – Writing for Emotion & the Heart Clench Scene(s)
