You may not have thought about how you actually feel about your story. Take a moment to consider. Are you writing about ghosts with a wink and a nudge or are you aiming for chill bumps? Is the story serious and bittersweet or a satirical exposé?
1. Tone can be formal or informal, light or dark, grave or comic, impersonal or personal, subdued or passionate, reasonable or irrational, plain or ornate.
The narrator can be cynical, sarcastic, sweet, or funny. A satirical and caustic tone plays well in a dark Comedy. It won't play well in a cozy Mystery.
2. Tone should suit genre.
Are you writing a shallow Chick Lit comedy or a dark and mysterious Gothic novel? If you write a mixed genre, the tone should match the genre that takes precedence over the other.
If you are writing a funny romance, you have to decide if you want your reader to belly laugh her way through it or have a few moments that make her belly laugh while worrying about the outcome of the relationship. Some Romance fans love a frothy, light tone. Others prefer the melodramatic tone of Historical Romance. Yet another prefers a heart-wrenching Literary love story.
Some paranormal stories are eerie and set an ominous tone. Light Horror feels almost comic to the reader. Readers who prefer ominous, creepy paranormal might not enjoy the comical version.
3. Tone is demonstrated by word choice and the way you reveal the details.
It informs the narrator's attitude toward the characters and the situation through his interior narration, his actions, and his dialogue. If he does not take the characters or situation seriously, the reader won't either. Word choice, syntax, imagery, sensory cues, level of detail, depth of information, and metaphors reveal tone.
4. Tone is not the same as voice.
Stephen King writes horror. His voice is distinct. At times he employs quirky, adolescent boy humor (his voice), but his aim is to chill you and his quips impart comic relief in a sinister story world. Being heavy-handed with the humor can ruin a good horror story, even turn it into parody.
5. Tone is not the same as mood.
Tone is how the author/narrator approaches the scene. Mood is the atmosphere you set for the scene. If you are writing a mystery, a scene can be brooding and dark leading up to the sleuth finding the body. The mood can lighten as the detectives indulge in a moment of gallows humor. Tone defines your overall mystery as wisecracking noir or cozy British as they solve the crime.
6. Tone is not the same as style.
Style reflects the author or narrator's voice. It is also revealed through sentence structure, use of literary devices, rhythm, jargon, slang, and accents. Style is revealed through dialogue. Style showcases the background and education of the characters. It expresses the cast's belief system, opinions, likes, and dislikes. It is controlled by what the characters say and how they say it. Tone is revealed by the narrator's perceptions, what he chooses to explore, and what he chooses to hide.
Stay tuned for examples of tone next week.
For these and other tips on revision, pick up a copy of:
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love the dimensional quality!
Hi Valerie, yes, this is a fun piece! And the little lady appears to be enjoying her float in the coastal breeze along the shore! Perfectly atmospheric! :o)
She's simply adorable, Valerie. Love the stockings and her little pointed toes!
She IS adorable, I agree, love her look and feel!
Lovely picture and magnificent work :)
I love this and the fact that you made it for someone you love. I was curious about formable foam board, that sounds interesting. If they still do make it I will find some. You always amaze!
Very cool... would love to see this from different angles, to really get a feel for its dimension. ANd you know, we may not always understand the creative process but as long as the end result is fulfilling.. then it was worth the ride!
hello valerie! wow! that is one unique and beautiful gift for your sister!
Hi Val!!
I've missed your blog, I'm just getting back into the swing of things! Thanks so much for visiting, and as always, I love your ethereal, imaginative takes on the IFs! So beautiful!
a : )
Thank you for taking the time to let me know about my comments not working. I think I fixed it...
I love your work it is so colorful and fun!
love it! so fun.
So you're the one who bought up all the foam board.... :o) Great work Val! I was trying to get my eyes to tell my brain what I was looking at. Is it 2D? Is it 3D? is it an optical illusion? Well thanks for explaining it. (My brain was shuting down) I love it! You have agreat creative Knack! I love that Valerie Gallerie! So clever!!Thanks for making my day!