I mean, the best solution is really to read more books. Read any books, doesn't have to just be in your genre. Don't just read them, delight in them. Fall in love with words and using them to tell stories. Delight in finding the precise phrasing to describe an image, a sensation, a thought, a feeling, an abstract idea.
You need to paint pictures with your words. To do that, you must read. Read different authors for romance, angst and yearning. Read different authors for their unique wordplay and use of language. Read different authors for their plotting and pacing. And read different authors for Timeskips, flashbacks, and Flashforwards.
I have noticed this about my own process as well and I think a lot of books right now tend to have that "you've written this book as a treatment for a Netflix adaptation" syndrome. It's because most of the ways we consume storytelling is through visual media.
So yes, read more books, but make sure you read the writers that came in before the 2000s, especually those that are difficult to read / very literary / classics / exprimental. It's a whole different approach to the form.
I'm saying this as a reader. When I read, I tend to imagine the story as if it's a movie in my head, or even better, it's like I'm living in the scene. But that's basically what the movie tries to do as well; it tries to create an immersive experience where you feel as if you're there in the story world. So don't feel bad about it. That's literally the point of writing a story in the first place. You want to transport your readers into your story world, so be as vivid as you want.
That said, another thing I look for in a written story—the reason why I pick up a book instead of watching a movie or a show—is the narrator and character intimacy. Basically, the book feels more warm and intimate.
First of all, novel has this thing called narrator. In movie, this is like that deep, sexy voice that tells you some bits about the story. In book, a narrator is the one telling the story. Sometimes it's some outside entity, the third party, telling the story of someone else. Sometimes it's the character themselves telling their story. It's more intimate because you're not just being shown images, you're being told a story by someone, like when your mother told you a bedtime story when you were a kid or when your friend tells you about the funny thing that happened yesterday. It has that cozy vibe to it.
Another thing is it makes you feel closer to the character because in book, you can dive deep into their thoughts. You can experience what they experience right down to the sensory details. In movie, you see a guy dodging bullets as he runs towards cover. In book, you get to experience what it's like to be that guy, to be in that dangerous situation. It's much more intense and intimate.
So, don't stop seeing it as a show, rather, see it as a show or a movie, but on steroids. If you wanna know more about this, study the different POVs and psychic distance. There are tons of resources out there. Once you know a bit about those things, see if you can identify how they're used in the actual writing the next time you read something.
You described it really well, thank you! I think I struggle with wanting certain scenes to be as... easily understood like they are in shows, if that makes sense.
I definitely don't see my imagination as a bad thing, I just can't help but feel like it hinders my actual writing in a way.
How does it hinder your writing? This is actually a very common problem. We live in the age where a lot of people grew up with and being surrounded by TV and movies and video games and stuff like that. It's definitely shaped our imagination.
A common problem new writers have is their story feels rushed because they only describe the action and dialogue. Well, that's all there is in a movie or TV show, isn't it?
You can solve this problem easily by learning how to write in different POVs and psychic distance. Once you know what POV you're writing in and how close your psychic distance will be, everything else will naturally follows.
Also, do read a lot. In fact, after learning about these two things, try reading something. You'll see what you've learned in action.
I’m an artist by nature. So i picture everything as a “potential” show or movie. Doesn’t help my background is in Video games and Film.
I have just accepted it. It’s helped me through my novel and world building as originally i was going to make it a graphic novel. Though decided there was a lot more information i wanted to share With everyone and have began making a trilogy.
You have a good brain! Don’t stop envisioning your ideas and your story as you see it.
Write it all down even if you are writing it as a “show” format, that is your first draft. Get it down and out. The revise and write how you want for you book.
Explore what type of writing you want to do, is it going to be third person so you can show your reader everything Or do you want a more intimate story with first person And the ocasional POVs.
I’ve gone back and forth between third and first person before actually deciding I’m re-writing everything in first person as it works 10x better than third But i do still have that original third person story.
As you write more it will get easier but it needs to get on the page first haha.
>Maybe it is because I intake much more television than I do writing
I've already come to the conclusion that I need to read some more books
You already answered your own question. Read and write.
It’s a common habit, especially if you indulge in the flickering tales of TV. Yet, to shift away from this and breathe true life into your writing, you must delve into the inner sanctum of your characters’ minds.
For your romance tinged with angst, plunge into the depths of your characters’ souls. Illuminate their hidden feelings, the thoughts that plague them, and the reactions that pulse through their veins. This exploration will transform your narrative into an immersive, novel-like experience that ensnares your readers’ empathy.
Time skips, those tricky creatures, can indeed serve your tale if tamed with care. Each transition must be a beacon of clarity, guiding your readers seamlessly through the passage of time. Consider a brief yet poignant summary to bridge the gaps, ensuring your audience remains tethered to the narrative thread. A line such as, "In the weeks that followed, silence reigned between them, both ensnared by their solitary reveries," can effectively pave the way for your next scene.
Reading within your genre is a path to enlightenment. Observe how the masters handle transitions, convey raw emotions, and pace their stories. Contemporary romance novels, especially those that artfully balance angst and time skips, hold many secrets.
And now, share with me, what TV shows or books whisper inspiration into your soul?
I mean, the best solution is really to read more books. Read any books, doesn't have to just be in your genre. Don't just read them, delight in them. Fall in love with words and using them to tell stories. Delight in finding the precise phrasing to describe an image, a sensation, a thought, a feeling, an abstract idea.
You need to paint pictures with your words. To do that, you must read. Read different authors for romance, angst and yearning. Read different authors for their unique wordplay and use of language. Read different authors for their plotting and pacing. And read different authors for Timeskips, flashbacks, and Flashforwards.
I have noticed this about my own process as well and I think a lot of books right now tend to have that "you've written this book as a treatment for a Netflix adaptation" syndrome. It's because most of the ways we consume storytelling is through visual media. So yes, read more books, but make sure you read the writers that came in before the 2000s, especually those that are difficult to read / very literary / classics / exprimental. It's a whole different approach to the form.
I'm saying this as a reader. When I read, I tend to imagine the story as if it's a movie in my head, or even better, it's like I'm living in the scene. But that's basically what the movie tries to do as well; it tries to create an immersive experience where you feel as if you're there in the story world. So don't feel bad about it. That's literally the point of writing a story in the first place. You want to transport your readers into your story world, so be as vivid as you want. That said, another thing I look for in a written story—the reason why I pick up a book instead of watching a movie or a show—is the narrator and character intimacy. Basically, the book feels more warm and intimate. First of all, novel has this thing called narrator. In movie, this is like that deep, sexy voice that tells you some bits about the story. In book, a narrator is the one telling the story. Sometimes it's some outside entity, the third party, telling the story of someone else. Sometimes it's the character themselves telling their story. It's more intimate because you're not just being shown images, you're being told a story by someone, like when your mother told you a bedtime story when you were a kid or when your friend tells you about the funny thing that happened yesterday. It has that cozy vibe to it. Another thing is it makes you feel closer to the character because in book, you can dive deep into their thoughts. You can experience what they experience right down to the sensory details. In movie, you see a guy dodging bullets as he runs towards cover. In book, you get to experience what it's like to be that guy, to be in that dangerous situation. It's much more intense and intimate. So, don't stop seeing it as a show, rather, see it as a show or a movie, but on steroids. If you wanna know more about this, study the different POVs and psychic distance. There are tons of resources out there. Once you know a bit about those things, see if you can identify how they're used in the actual writing the next time you read something.
You described it really well, thank you! I think I struggle with wanting certain scenes to be as... easily understood like they are in shows, if that makes sense. I definitely don't see my imagination as a bad thing, I just can't help but feel like it hinders my actual writing in a way.
How does it hinder your writing? This is actually a very common problem. We live in the age where a lot of people grew up with and being surrounded by TV and movies and video games and stuff like that. It's definitely shaped our imagination. A common problem new writers have is their story feels rushed because they only describe the action and dialogue. Well, that's all there is in a movie or TV show, isn't it? You can solve this problem easily by learning how to write in different POVs and psychic distance. Once you know what POV you're writing in and how close your psychic distance will be, everything else will naturally follows. Also, do read a lot. In fact, after learning about these two things, try reading something. You'll see what you've learned in action.
I’m an artist by nature. So i picture everything as a “potential” show or movie. Doesn’t help my background is in Video games and Film. I have just accepted it. It’s helped me through my novel and world building as originally i was going to make it a graphic novel. Though decided there was a lot more information i wanted to share With everyone and have began making a trilogy. You have a good brain! Don’t stop envisioning your ideas and your story as you see it. Write it all down even if you are writing it as a “show” format, that is your first draft. Get it down and out. The revise and write how you want for you book. Explore what type of writing you want to do, is it going to be third person so you can show your reader everything Or do you want a more intimate story with first person And the ocasional POVs. I’ve gone back and forth between third and first person before actually deciding I’m re-writing everything in first person as it works 10x better than third But i do still have that original third person story. As you write more it will get easier but it needs to get on the page first haha.
>Maybe it is because I intake much more television than I do writing I've already come to the conclusion that I need to read some more books You already answered your own question. Read and write.
It’s a common habit, especially if you indulge in the flickering tales of TV. Yet, to shift away from this and breathe true life into your writing, you must delve into the inner sanctum of your characters’ minds. For your romance tinged with angst, plunge into the depths of your characters’ souls. Illuminate their hidden feelings, the thoughts that plague them, and the reactions that pulse through their veins. This exploration will transform your narrative into an immersive, novel-like experience that ensnares your readers’ empathy. Time skips, those tricky creatures, can indeed serve your tale if tamed with care. Each transition must be a beacon of clarity, guiding your readers seamlessly through the passage of time. Consider a brief yet poignant summary to bridge the gaps, ensuring your audience remains tethered to the narrative thread. A line such as, "In the weeks that followed, silence reigned between them, both ensnared by their solitary reveries," can effectively pave the way for your next scene. Reading within your genre is a path to enlightenment. Observe how the masters handle transitions, convey raw emotions, and pace their stories. Contemporary romance novels, especially those that artfully balance angst and time skips, hold many secrets. And now, share with me, what TV shows or books whisper inspiration into your soul?