As many of you may know I am currently attempting to write a novel. Right now I am about 5,000 words into my first draft(only about 5% of the way there probably less) Anyway, I was getting to a point where my MC(main character) was thinking about something that could happen in the summer. So, while I was typing I wondered, is foreshadowing good or bad. I'm hoping most of you know what foreshadowing is. It pretty mush means when the author lets you in on something that could occur later in the book.
So here is my question: Is foreshadowing good or bad?
For all writers out there please just give me some insight on your opinion and readers please tell me if you enjoy a book with or without it.
I think it's fine, if used sparingly. Too much foreshadowing doesn't leave much for the reader to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteI like foreshadowing but agree it should be subtle and used sparingly. I've been thinking of foreshadowing lately because I have been re-reading Harry Potter books and this is the first time I have reread the series since knowing the ultimate ending. It is impressive to me as I am reading to realize how the entire series was tied together and just how much foreshadowing occurred in the books. I think that sometimes the foreshadowing in any one book is predictable (then again, it is a children's book) but overall it has been interesting to me so far to see how foreshadowing extended over the series. (Looking forward to doing the same with LOST on TV!)
ReplyDeleteWith the first draft, I don't get this deep. I save this sort of stuff for the second round. By then, I know if it will work well with the story, if that makes any sense.
ReplyDeleteSo my answer is yes, I think it's great, but it depends on the story and how it's being told.
A small amount, but be crypt about it. I agree it depends on the story and who are you writing for! I am intrigued~
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep the first draft for writing everything thats's needed to move the plot along in a logical order and even pace. Once you know all the necessities are there, then decide to add other things like this. Cause if you don't have the basics of the story down, you'll find that you write a lot of stuff that's not needed, or that you end up repeating yourself a lot. :) Just my opinion - it works for me.
ReplyDeleteA little foreshadowing is good, as long as it doesn't telegraph the ending.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone I think I know where I think I know where I am headed know!
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