Over Thinking
One of the troubles of being an English major and (technically) having unlimited time to perfect a chapter, is that I tend to over think every word I use. For the current chapter (5.26), there's symbolism, foreshadow and metaphors like a crazy vat of close reading and essay writing. I don't want to make it obvious with my references, but I like them a lot. I like using chess and the Fates and life and death, only that I'm overdoing them and I'm getting tired. I keep referring back to the previous chapter, just to get the mood and message right, and I don't know if I should keep going with the symbolism, foreshadows and metaphors.
It just doesn't flow.
So now I've started a rewrite the chapter with drama and action. I do want to fit in some symbolism and metaphors in there (like all acclaimed literary fiction writers), but I need to contain it. I think I should really show more than tell from now on. There will be telling (thoughts, descriptions, etc.), of course, but showing is a level above that (like hitting a tree instead of saying that the character is frustrated). I (think I) have the "telling" down pat, but my "showing" needs some sprucing.
Action, baby!
It just doesn't flow.
So now I've started a rewrite the chapter with drama and action. I do want to fit in some symbolism and metaphors in there (like all acclaimed literary fiction writers), but I need to contain it. I think I should really show more than tell from now on. There will be telling (thoughts, descriptions, etc.), of course, but showing is a level above that (like hitting a tree instead of saying that the character is frustrated). I (think I) have the "telling" down pat, but my "showing" needs some sprucing.
Action, baby!