Foreshadowing, is when the writer adds subtle or not so subtle hints to future events in the story.
This is needed because it doesn't work to just drop a bomb 💣 on readers without at least a few clues here and there. This isn't just for mystery books. All genres need this for the story to make sense.
Rolling back to the clarity issue I've talked about, when something is hidden it still needs to have little hints about it so the readers aren't thrown for a loop when that plot twist comes along.
They need go: "Oh, that's what that meant! Or "Ah-ha I knew it!"
This will also make the story more interesting. (Hopefully, lol.) The problem is learning how to do it right without telegraphing.
Telegraphing is when the writer gives away too much, too soon, ruining the suspense. So, remember, don't hit your readers over the head with it. Hide it in plain sight, between the sheets, 😆 toss a little in the dialogue, small bits in a flashback, in a dream, as the backdrop, heck a passing look at a picture on the wall. There's lots of ways to add it in. You can mix them too.
Like add in some foreshadowing in a flashback in the description, or in the dead brother's last words, stuff like that. It doesn't have to be a thing, it can also be a word or phrase that hints at what's to come. Triple duty if in dialogue what was said could also be the main characters driving force for the whole book (What do they want?), or part of the theme.
Confused yet? Don't worry, I'll explain those things later. Lets get back to the foreshadowing basics. Why talk about this? So many guides are about grammar, spelling, show don't tell. Well, I'm assuming that you know all that all ready and want to learn more.
Your friendly Google searching writing tips fanatic is here to help. 😉😅 *Cough* I'm just wording thing in own way without getting all technical. It's easier to absorb new info if the wordage is clear.
Drop tiny hints here and there in the readers mind to build up the big reveal, (plot twist) later on.
Telegraphing is the opposite of this. The reader will notice if the foreshadowing has failed. When that happens, it's telegraphing.
If a reader can predict what’s going to happen, and they tell you so its time to try again. Getting mad at them is stupid, go fix it it wasn't subtle enough. (I've seen writers yelling at readers for guess their "brilliant forshadowing." *Cough—epic fail. Game over.*
It's not the foreshadowing becoming telegraphing that's the problem, (That's a separate issue.) it's the writers ego, being unable to accept that the reader was able to see it easily. Don't get that way. Thank them and go fix it, learn from this.
Where was I? Right!
Part of the fun of reading any book is not knowing what's going to happen next! Ugg I've lost count of how many books I put back in the shelf, because tight in chapter one I guessed what would happen and yep in chapter two it did. Dreck. Blargg! Let's not do that eh?
Telegraphing takes away from that boom you want instead of shocking the readers, they roll their eyes and go: "Meh."
Okay, that's enough, you get it by now I'll stop hitting you over the head with it.
Without foreshadowing, it can also become is a deus ex machina. A magical event that appears, randomly, out of nowhere and makes no sense! 'God in the machine.' Look it up in TVtroupes.com its fun, well the whole site is. Beware that site is addictive as heck!878Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhpuVvFHJ9
So many articles talk about why forshadowing is good and telegraphing is bad, but none teach you how! Argg! I'll try my best I'm not sure if I'm good at it or not so forgive me if I mess this up. I'm still learning too. If something is wrong in here I'll fix in an update. K? Good.
Show the skill or upcoming event early! A hint in chapter one is just fine. In my first chapter the main pov has an ordinary item with them, that will turn out to be critical later on. If you can guess what it is I'll give you a cookie! (And, I'll go back and fix things as it wasn't subtle enough)
If any reader comments and says they know something is important and that they'd better remember it. Then its back to the drawing board, as they were pulled pulled out of the story. 😶
Make sure the event you want to hint about needs it! Not every event does so don't waste it on trivial events that don't have much to do with the plot or subplots. In fact, if they don't matter, they shouldn't be in the story at all. Waste no word. Save the hints for major events in your story.
Remember Chekhov’s rule. If a gun is introduced in a story, it better be fired at some point. Otherwise, it shouldn't be there at all. Foreshadowing is a quiet promise to the reader something is coming, don't break it. 878Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaqjUdpPd4
Keep in mind that in a novel there's way more room to add in hints than with either a short story or a play. It is not going to work well in a short story or noveleta if every element is added in. There's no room!
However, even with novel length books over foreshadowing can undo all that you worked so hard on. Keep in mind with everything you add in that chapter that took us hours, days or weeks the reader reads in minutes! So don't keep adding in hints every few chapters, do it like every 10-20 chapters or so. Maybe less even? *I'll find out later with beta readers.*
Do you outline and know if structuring? ☺If you do you can work the hints right into the structure! The foreshadowing needs to occur far enough in advance to clue the reader but not so far ahead that they forget it. Be sure not to tease too long or it'll end up killing the suspense, to the point of readers disengaging.
In the outline where the plot elements are, make notes about the foreshadowing too.
If you are a pantiser, then after the first draft try a reverse outline. Basically its a revision where you ignore everything but looking for the best place to put the hints in. Along with the plot points that foreshadowing anticipates.
Remember, always make the plot, subplots, and everything else line up to the ending. You do this and you will finish.
Now get this remember what I said about building suspense? Subtle is BAD. Get in their face with the foreshadowing! 😷 Lol!
Then the articles say that:
"If you’re laying the groundwork, you don’t want to tip your hand to the reader too early." 878Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ3vM4IgiA
What? Make up your damn minds. 😖
My best guess is that for any story with suspence (all) you need to be blunt with the 'hints' but not too much right away? Ah .. okay?
Make sure what is hinted about is worth it. Really hit hard when it's revealed! Make the scene almost melodramatic, but not lame. (Push harder! Not sappyer.) Work every angle.
The dialogue needs to snap, the descriptions need to matter and be beautiful, gorry, scarry, amazing what ever thecscene/story calls for. (Not purple-prose, long and fancy isn't better.) Make what's happening to the main characters stick in their minds.
Other tools in your writers chest to make great foreshadowing are symbolism, themes, and metaphors, use them.
For example, you may notice the recurring use of the a knife to signal something is ahead. Not exactly subtle, but hey, it works for suspence.
Part two of this later am out of time.
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