Story Engineering by Larry Brooks-Foreshadowing

Writing-the craft by Cindy

I love it when a story foreshadows well. What does Larry Brooks say about Foreshadowing?

Definition:  anything that links to, or reveals a glimpse or hint of a forthcoming story point or issue of characterization, but that is not yet recognized by the reader as a salient story point itself at the moment of its revelation.

Whew!

There are two types

1. Obvious-attach emotion to it and it will be noticed.

Example: a woman is described as hot and later seduces the main character

1. Subtle-allow it to pass without much notice-

Example: a not so hot woman talks to the main character's good friend. The main character does not think about her other than knowing she's a friend of his friend. Later, the main character discovers she was really casing him out.

Foreshadowing is hinting. It is a promise that may or may not be kept.

Foreshadowing can be the dropping of a clue, but it doesn't have to be.

Where and when to foreshadow?

1. He argues that part one could be almost all foreshadowing
2. Never in part 4

Larry suggests you start looking for and identifying foreshadowing in the books you read. He says this is the best way to be proficient at foreshadowing.

Check part one of your story...is it full of foreshadowing? Do you use both subtle and obvious foreshadowing?

Happy foreshadowing!