Wednesday Writings - Creating Vignettes

The word vignette is defined as: (n.) Any small, pleasing picture or view; a small, graceful literary sketch. (v.) Finishing a picture or photograph in the manner of a vignette.

Whether crafting a setting for a short story or novel, a scene in a play, or framework for poetry, writers who think in terms of vignettes create sharper, more concise and memorable work.

Think of your keyboard or pen as a photographer’s camera. If you take the time to look carefully through the viewfinder and adjust your focus to exactly what you want to capture before clicking, you’ll be happier with your finished product. Conversely, if you grab and snap in a rush, you’ll produce blurred, amateurish work. All art takes time and practice to perfect, but with persistence, writing skills can be honed. To that end, following are a few “picturesque” tips on setting up good vignettes:

• Invest in good equipment: If you think you can produce high quality work with a throw-away camera, think again. The quickie writer submits the first thing off the top of his head without taking the time to edit with a critical eye. The professional (one who invests in classes, workshops, critique group membership, and other learning opportunities) knows by taking his time to learn the rules and techniques, his work will shine.
• Get down on your subject’s level: Think and write from your characters’ perspective. See what they see, hear what they hear, etc. When this is done, the writing will come off as realistic vs. fabricated. The words will have the ring of authenticity instead of smacking of the writer’s own voice and style.
• Move in close: The best photographs are those which get as close to the subject as possible. Leave off extraneous descriptions and unneeded words. Get crisp and sharp and you’ll find more success with submissions, contests, and queries.
• Try different poses, angles, points of interest and composition components: Your vignette staging is important, so spend time thinking of the overall word picture you are composing. Would a change in Point of View work better? Have you given your characters enough depth through character sketching? What might be added or subtracted to create a clearer portrayal?
• Frame your subject through the lens: Think of all aspects of your vignette and consider how it will be translated to your readers. Give your story plot or poetry balance on all sides. Is every single thing you are considering including in your vignette necessary? Do you have enough variation and texture to make your work eye-catching? Beware of having trees sprout from subjects’ heads (fantastical plot lines). Savvy readers know when you’re overreaching. Make sure your thumb is out of the way also; remove all traces of yourself from your writing so the plot and characters can be heard.
• Research your subject: Always check your facts. A few moments of Internet research on products, eras, weather or other data germane to your plot can mean the difference between a rejection and an acceptance to your query. It also adds interesting and fresh details to your work.

Now you’re locked, loaded, and ready to create better word photos. Your vignettes will be in sharper focus, as will your level of tone, mood, and quality. Leaving readers with an unforgettable mental snapshot (of characters, plot, or evocative use of words in a poem) is a hallmark of good writing.

What's your favorite "photographic" technique, and how can you apply it to writing?

{Photo from Art.com}