Workshop: An Introduction to Writing for Children and Young Adults
Tone overlaps with voice as we discussed
earlier. To be a background influence that impacts setting, the word choices
need to be precise giving a clear visual. Strong verbs that can stand on their
own without punctuation, such as exclamation marks, help give a solid
atmosphere.
Another way that tone can have an insightful
influence is when what one character is saying or acting outwardly while at the
same time is internally having an opposite or other emotional reaction. It
turns the setting upside down.
Take into consideration the age you’re
writing for as well. Five year-olds and under can rarely hide their feelings
from family members or even want to try. Unless? Perhaps they are in on a
surprise for a family member. And trying to keep a secret. There are
opportunities for all kinds of humorous misunderstandings all around.
The older the character, and the more intense
a situation, though the tone can become a shadow for a mystery, or a personal
grief, or a difficult moral decision. The tone needs to be authentic to the
character’s perception of the situation even if he is in error.
If the reader is in the dark as well they
will connect to the character’s struggle. If the reader knows the facts are
different they will still empathize with the heroine’s dilemma and be rooting
for her.
Action Steps:
1.
Do an internal dialogue of
feelings with a character who is interacting the opposite way externally.
2.
Now do the same with the person
to whom they are speaking.
Share: Who would be able to tell what
either character is really thinking based on her body language?
Read deep, marcy
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