Many writers like to play with narrative form. Rather than rely on straight prose, they use diary entries, letters, text messages, or phone messages to deliver information. In some cases, entire novels are written outside traditional narrative. In a post on Writer Unboxed, Sophie Masson offers tips for using these elements effectively.
“Supporting the ‘traditional’ narrative, these other forms can allow authors to embed information in a way that doesn’t burden the main narrative, which is especially useful when the novel is based on factual events,” Masson writes. “They can also provide a way to run parallel narratives or to provide alternative points of view on what is going on.” The important consideration is whether you need them; you shouldn’t use these elements as a crutch or just because.
Masson’s tips include:
- Do your research. Be sure that your inserts are appropriate for your story’s time. Find actual newspaper articles or diaries, and study their style.
- Read your pieces aloud. This will help you determine if the voice feels right.
- Use them strategically. “Insert the pieces at strategic points in your narrative where they’ll be most effective: you can also use them to create tension and suspense,” Masson says. “These ‘story strands’ need to be woven in judiciously, lest the whole tapestry unravels.”
- Don’t overdo it. “Unless, of course, you are constructing a novel entirely from those narrative forms, it’s best not to weigh down your ‘traditional’ narrative too much with other forms,” Masson advises. “You want your reader to be intrigued, not confused.”
