Rendering Thoughts in Writing
By rhiannon richardson
editor, published author, and writing teacher.
With novels, you can put a character’s thoughts in writing—that’s what separates this art form from cinematic storytelling. A vital element of writing an engaging story is showcasing the ideas of your characters. You can do that in numerous ways, but it is necessary to be precise, precise, and easy for the viewers to comprehend. In this blog post, we'll provide you with some suggestions on how to portray thoughts in writing.
How to Demonstrate a Character's Thoughts in Writing
There are multiple strategies for sharing a character's thoughts in writing. One option is to employ realistic dialogue. This is where the character speaks their musings aloud. This can be useful in illustrating what the individual is considering, but it can also be difficult to execute naturally. If you decide to use dialogue to depict thoughts, make certain it sounds like something the character would actually verbalize. If you have to render thoughts in writing that belong under the surface of the character, including things they’d never say aloud, you need interiority.
You can portray thoughts in writing through narration. This is where the narrator explains or summarizes to the reader what the character is thinking. This can be effective in communicating elaborate thoughts or feelings, but it's critical to ensure that the narration doesn't overtake the story or explain things too obviously. Too much narrative summary can make the story appear bland and uninteresting. Use narration sparingly and only when it's absolutely essential.
Finally, Verbatim Thoughts in Writing
The last avenue available to you is expressing the verbatim thoughts in writing. This is done by italicizing the thought or leaving it formatted normally. (Never use quotation marks for thoughts in writing, though. Those are only for dialogue!) This technique should be used sparingly, but sometimes there’s nothing quite like putting a character’s exact thoughts in writing on the page, especially if it contrasts with what they’re doing or saying externally—for a nice shot of juicy dramatic tension.
Expressing thoughts in writing is an important skill for all authors to develop. By using dialogue, narration, and action, it's possible to demonstrate what characters are thinking and feeling without going overboard with descriptions or resorting to telling rather than showing. Keep these tips in mind the next time you're writing your story, and you'll be able to craft intriguing prose that will captivate any reader.
Thoughts in Writing Via Actions
The most obvious way to express thoughts in writing is through describing actions. This is when a character's behavior conveys what they're thinking or feeling. For instance, if someone is gnawing on their fingernails, it could indicate they're anxious or uneasy about something. Action is a great way to show thoughts without dialogue or narration, although it's best not to overdo it. Too much action can make the story feel discombobulated and hard to follow. Use action cautiously and only when it contributes something meaningful to the narrative.
craft your best story
Do you want to tell a compelling story that resonates with readers? Let author and editor Rhiannon Richardson help you take your writing to the next level. With her expertise in middle grade, young adult, picture book, and memoir, she can guide you to your best story.
