“Unlock the Secrets: What Do Your Readers Really Visualize When They Read Your Words?”
Have you ever stumbled through a book feeling like you were navigating a dense fog, trying in vain to catch a glimpse of what the author intended? I certainly have. Recently, I flipped through a friend’s manuscript that was bursting with ideas and character depth, yet failed to ignite that spark of visualization. I grasped the notion of their journey, the struggles they faced, even the intricate details of the settings, right down to street names. But somehow, the vivid imagery fell flat, leaving me squinting at abstractions rather than indulging in a rich, immersive experience. As writers, it’s our duty to illuminate the pages—so how do we prevent our prose from going dark? Join me as we explore ways to enhance clarity and bring your narrative to life in a way that captivates and engages your readers! LEARN MORE.
How to prevent your prose from going dark
I recently read a friend’s manuscript that I couldn’t picture. I did learn about the characters. I grasped their problems and the decisions they had to make. I knew what towns and countries they traveled through, down to the exact street and plaza names. I was dazzled by the imagination that had concocted this narrative, which brimmed with conceptual ideas. But I could hardly see any of it.
In pivotal scenes, I had to read the same passages multiple times to envision what was happening, and even then, it was like trying to watch a movie through fog. This effort frustrated me, and I often got lost. Which might explain why this book had failed to find the mainstream publisher that its core story otherwise deserved.
Now, I must admit that my complaint could be completely subjective. After reading Shirley Hazzard’s strenuously visual and award-winning The Transit of Venus, I joined the rest of the literary world in waiting 20 years for her next and last novel, The Great Fire. When it finally came out, I felt as if the whole story took place in the dark, or as if the POV characters were blind.
Here’s a sample:
Leith was at the door of his own cottage when it occurred to him that the grassed verge on…
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