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Introspection is written in many different ways, and I had a few questions and thoughts I wanted to discuss:
Do you use direct, italicized thought (where first person pronouns are used)? At first, I used basically none, but the more I looked at popular books, the more I see it used, and am thus tempted to use it (plus, I do like it, as long as it’s not overdone)
Do you use filters/thought tags like ‘he thought’ or ‘she wondered?’ Personally, I do not, and I feel that they increase the psychic distance quite a bit (make it feel farther from the character’s head).
When writing indirect introspection (non-italicized with no first person pronouns), do you try to remove as many ‘he’s’ and ‘she’s’ as possible? For instance, She had always loved the sea vs The was glorious.
How much do you attempt to mix introspection with descriptions (i.e, make the description feel like it’s coming from the character’s mind)?
Could you give me an example of a paragraph of introspection that you have written in third person limited?
Great questions! Personally, I like using italicized thoughts, ’cause it helps draw a person into the head and italics make it easier for me to discern between characters – especially when there are multiple POVs. If I italicize something, I tend not to use “he thought” or “she wondered” unless it flows well and clarifies who’s talking. If I’m not italicizing, then I do use those to clarify that this isn’t just a piece of prose. Not sure if that’s helpful or not. 🙂
As for description… if I’m italicizing, I keep the description at a minimum and try to match what description I have with the individual character – for example, an assassin or soldier would probably notice the people more, assessing their postures, gestures, and general feel and probably making evaluations as to how much of a threat they are. Whereas a poet would probably be thinking in more flowery terms, noticing the beauty of the nature and general emotions the setting induces. Does that even make sense? XD
Uh… *tries to think* I’ll come back to this. My current WIP is in first-person past tense, but I might be able to swipe something from another. 🙂
Greetings!! I have returned victorious from my conquest of the hostile lands of exams! (Well hopefully victorious, I still have to get the results XD)
Do you use direct, italicized thought (where first person pronouns are used)? At first, I used basically none, but the more I looked at popular books, the more I see it used, and am thus tempted to use it (plus, I do like it, as long as it’s not overdone)
I write first-person, so it doesn’t really apply. I’ve seen it done both ways, and I don’t really have a preference. No italics feels most natural to me, a mainly first-person writer, but I get used to either when reading!
Do you use filters/thought tags like ‘he thought’ or ‘she wondered?’ Personally, I do not, and I feel that they increase the psychic distance quite a bit (make it feel farther from the character’s head).
No, but I make exceptions occasionally for things like “My mind wandered” or “My thoughts trailed off to–” to announce a longer piece of introspection/mini flashback since it implies that the character is no longer engaging with the current environment, which is also an action. Otherwise, it can seem that the unrelated introspection comes from nowhere instead of the character zoning out.
When writing indirect introspection (non-italicized with no first person pronouns), do you try to remove as many ‘he’s’ and ‘she’s’ as possible? For instance, She had always loved the sea vs The sea was glorious.
Interesting question, it depends on whether the introspection is related to current events I think. If the character is looking at the sea, it makes more sense to describe their love for the sea by their description, but if it’s a piece of information I have to get across quickly, it’s best to just tell it. So, the latter is preferred, but the former isn’t necessarily bad.
How much do you attempt to mix introspection with descriptions (i.e, make the description feel like it’s coming from the character’s mind)?
Again, it depends. (You’ll notice that’s my answer to all of these XD)
If it’s an ‘urgent’ description, so if they’re mid-action, I just make it as brief as possible and get it over with. If it’s a slower beat, and they’re actually describing something while considering it, I’ll mix in a lot more introspection.
If it has any emotional effect on them (It’s surprising/upsetting/reminds them of something) by all means, use it to spark introspection, but if it’s just a regular description, you don’t have to come up with introspection to add.
Could you give me an example of a paragraph of introspection that you have written in third person limited?
The few instances I have from interspersed chapters are unfortunately very bad prose, so I’m going to skip this one XD
Hope this helps!
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
Whereas a poet would probably be thinking in more flowery terms, noticing the beauty of the nature and general emotions the setting induces. Does that even make sense?
Absolutely. That’s one of the first things I learned, but easily one of the hardest for me to implement.
If I’m not italicizing, then I do use those to clarify that this isn’t just a piece of prose.
Interesting. Let me make sure I understand what you’re saying with an example:
[With a happy step, Wren turned onto the main street, holding her dress back to avoid the grimy wall. It was rather filthy, but overall, the village was quite lovely.]
That is an example of introspection attached to a beat. Are you saying that you would add a ‘she thought’ to the end of it because it wasn’t italicized?
Well hopefully victorious, I still have to get the results
That is the worry of every student during year end exams. 🙂
If it has any emotional effect on them (It’s surprising/upsetting/reminds them of something) by all means, use it to spark introspection, but if it’s just a regular description, you don’t have to come up with introspection to add.
Yep, agreed, but still I have a problem with balancing description and introspection–not to mention putting enough or too much of either or both.
[With a happy step, Wren turned onto the main street, holding her dress back to avoid the grimy wall. It was rather filthy, but overall, the village was quite lovely.]
Mm, not quite. I wouldn’t put anything there, since it’s obviously coming from her perspective. But things like “Wren held back her dress to avoid the grimy wall. No use getting it dirty, is it?” are more of a grey area for me. *shrugs* Not super clear, I know. Sorry. XD
Alright, I think I get what you’re saying.
Btw, if you ever have some spare time lying around, I’d love for you to do prose analysis on a chapter of mine. 🙂
I’d love to! I don’t have a lot of time until about the end of June, but I’d love to do that sometime. 🙂
Alrighty, I’ll get back to you sometime after June. 🙂
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