Rich Descriptions Invite Symbolism and Motifs

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Billboard screen grab from the film The Great Gatsby, directed by Baz Luhrmann (2013).

In a post on the Killzone blog, James Scott Bell examines some well-known literary symbols and motifs and suggests you try them yourself. “If you write with rich, sensory details, you have a lot of possibilities,” he writes.

To identify some possibilities for symbols and motifs, Bell suggests creating three lists: your story’s main characters, your stand-out details, and your significant settings. “Now look for connections within the columns,” he says. “Connect a detail with a character and place. Or work the other way, from place to character to detail. Pick the strongest two or three connections, and see if you can weave them into your plot.”