Tips on Foreshadowing by guest blogger Bob Bruggemann
Wikipedia says foreshadowing is a literary device in which an author suggests certain plot developments that might come later in the story. This is an example of foreshadowing:
Sam thought about what the perpetrator said. It was nothing he hadn’t heard before; he’d been threatened many times. The light turned green and he swung around the corner. His eyes panned down the quiet block of single family homes and he knew something was wrong. His partner’s house was dark and so was his. Sam rolled up to the curb and turned off the engine. Leaving his cap on the passenger seat, he pulled out his service revolver, loaded a round into the chamber, and cautiously stepped out of the car.
Sam’s actions give a blatant description of what could happen next. The reader has been forewarned that something might be wrong. It could be a false alarm or it could be something devastating. Only time will tell.
The reader will fall into this trap easily and without suspicion. It’s perfectly natural for a man to enter a tense and dangerous situation with his gun drawn… but suppose he enters the foyer and the lights suddenly come on.
“Surprise! Happy birthday, Honey!” He finds a room full of neighbors in the living room, holding up drinks for a toast. The joy fades as they focus on Sam’s cocked 9mm pistol.
This scenario is a variation of foreshadowing called “misdirection” or otherwise known as a “Red Herring.” See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreshadowing for more examples on the following:
o Premonition
o Master patterning
o Red herring (misdirection)
o Prophecy’s and omens
As an author, you control your world, along with everyone and everything in it. Never be afraid to experiment and push your muse to the limit. There are no limitations to your imagination.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Plagiarism – A Big Word for a Big Crime
What is Plagiarism?
by Joe Massingham
Volunteer Coordinator for Creative Writing Institute
Let’s not beat about the bush… plagiarism is theft dressed up. Just in case you aren’t familiar with the definition, it means ‘to take and use the thoughts, writing, inventions, etc of another person as your own,’ (OED)
People who plagiarize do so because they want to appear more learned, more educated, more professional than they are. It is usually a sign of insecurity or inferiority complex. Plagiarists long for recognition they cannot obtain on their own.
In most cases, though, their attempt at misrepresenting their abilities or knowledge backfires on them and they gain a reputation as dishonest and dishonorable writers.
Sometimes plagiarism happens accidentally. Researchers tend to rewrite things they recall in their sub-conscious. The brain spins into top gear, frantically searching for lost information. Little pieces seep back in until the writer finds fiendishly clever work and weaves it into the nest. Without conscious effort, plagiarism occurs while the relieved writer is humming, “What a good boy am I.”
Within weeks or months, a sneering critic points out that the idea is not original and the crime of plagiarism is exposed to the light of day. For honest writers, it is acutely embarrassing. The small band of deliberate plagiarists, however, knows no shame so they just curl their lip and take another sip of latte.
If you discover you’ve been unconsciously guilty of plagiarism, let the world know you are aware of the error. Rewrite your piece to eliminate the problem and take whatever steps necessary to avoid further incidents.
On the other hand, you may discover someone has plagiarized you. This is more likely to happen if your writing includes some sort of specialist information. If, for example, you’re an expert on bald eagles, keep an eye out for other material on your favorite topic. Here is the place to check: http://www.copyscape.com/. It will cost you a nickel to see if someone has ‘borrowed’ your expertise (but you must purchase them in lots of $5).
How many consecutive words can you print without rephrasing? Three. THREE. Anything more than that rings bells in high places.
There are various possible remedies if you have been plagiarized, but that’s a topic for another article. In the meantime, the best way to avoid being a plagiarist may be to remember Shakespeare’s words:
“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
Visit http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com today to find more great tips.
by Joe Massingham
Volunteer Coordinator for Creative Writing Institute
Let’s not beat about the bush… plagiarism is theft dressed up. Just in case you aren’t familiar with the definition, it means ‘to take and use the thoughts, writing, inventions, etc of another person as your own,’ (OED)
People who plagiarize do so because they want to appear more learned, more educated, more professional than they are. It is usually a sign of insecurity or inferiority complex. Plagiarists long for recognition they cannot obtain on their own.
In most cases, though, their attempt at misrepresenting their abilities or knowledge backfires on them and they gain a reputation as dishonest and dishonorable writers.
Sometimes plagiarism happens accidentally. Researchers tend to rewrite things they recall in their sub-conscious. The brain spins into top gear, frantically searching for lost information. Little pieces seep back in until the writer finds fiendishly clever work and weaves it into the nest. Without conscious effort, plagiarism occurs while the relieved writer is humming, “What a good boy am I.”
Within weeks or months, a sneering critic points out that the idea is not original and the crime of plagiarism is exposed to the light of day. For honest writers, it is acutely embarrassing. The small band of deliberate plagiarists, however, knows no shame so they just curl their lip and take another sip of latte.
If you discover you’ve been unconsciously guilty of plagiarism, let the world know you are aware of the error. Rewrite your piece to eliminate the problem and take whatever steps necessary to avoid further incidents.
On the other hand, you may discover someone has plagiarized you. This is more likely to happen if your writing includes some sort of specialist information. If, for example, you’re an expert on bald eagles, keep an eye out for other material on your favorite topic. Here is the place to check: http://www.copyscape.com/. It will cost you a nickel to see if someone has ‘borrowed’ your expertise (but you must purchase them in lots of $5).
How many consecutive words can you print without rephrasing? Three. THREE. Anything more than that rings bells in high places.
There are various possible remedies if you have been plagiarized, but that’s a topic for another article. In the meantime, the best way to avoid being a plagiarist may be to remember Shakespeare’s words:
“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
Visit http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com today to find more great tips.
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