1. DriedPen

    DriedPen Member

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    Hinted Foreshadowing

    Discussion in 'Plot Development' started by DriedPen, Nov 9, 2020.

    I was curious if any other writers look for places to inject hinted foreshadowing into their novels or stories?

    I use the term "Hinted Foreshadowing" because my search on this site revealed discussion on foreshadowing, but in every case it was done because of a plot element later in the story. In other words, it had to be there for the ending to take place.

    Maybe I am just weird as a writer, but sometimes I look for instances to add foreshadowing just so readers...if they chose to reread my book, can pick up on these foreshadowed events, but not the first time through.

    As an example, in my latest work, when the love interest of the story is being subjected to hell, she mutters, "I am going to strangle that man myself." In context, she says it because it is a gruesome scene, but it foreshadows the man's death, but she does not strangle him, as another person shoots him with a gun instead several chapters later.

    It does not have to be said, but I do because it adds depth for a second reading, or if the reader does somehow pick up on it, they are surprised when the foreshadowed scene is slightly different then what was hinted at. I think it adds a little depth to the story over all, and shows a creative side in my writing. But others may, or may not agree.

    Thoughts???
     
  2. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    In given context it isn't foreshadowing really, it's just a heat of the moment thing.
    If she had said something more vague in the implication, that would have been
    foreshadowing. It can really be taken either way, since it is a common thing in
    stories for someone to have vengeance on the mind to a given situation, but that
    doesn't always mean that it will come to pass.

    Foreshadowing is typically either a bit more direct, or indirect with a payoff for
    both the reader and the character. It can be a one off line, or collecting/coming
    into possession of a seemingly ordinary object that will appear later to fulfill the
    intended requirements of said character. And yes this can apply to drama and
    less action type stories. Usually it is either something so small the reader doesn't
    pay it much mind on the first reading, or it is taken up again at such a late point
    that they may/or not recall the details on the first time.

    Circling back around to your example; it would have been fitting if after what was said
    managed to happen in some fashion for the character who said it. Even in more vague
    terms, and finding them later strangled by someone else in the off-page. Usually there
    is a hinting of things to come to fruition, and kinda related in some specific way to what
    has been brought up initially. Otherwise it is just a character reaction in saying one thing
    and another happens. That isn't foreshadowing, but it does say something of how the
    character feels in the moment.

    From my first novel, Marckus tells another guy that when they meet again that he will
    kill him. That is foreshadowing, and the setup is that if/when the two men meet in the
    future that he will kill the other. The how isn't really important, and it could be in any
    number of ways for the reader to ponder about, should the interaction ever take place.
     
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  3. Thundair

    Thundair Contributor Contributor

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    I try to make them subtle in my WIP. I use a one, two, three method about a half a chapter apart before it’s forgotten.

    1) With all the deserters and gypsies roaming the area, Damon was nervous, escorting the women.
    A half chapter later.
    2) That night Damon kept hearing a noise in the tree line.
    Another half chapter.
    3) Just as he went over the distant hill toward the riverbank, a small band of Gypsies came running out of the tree line at the women.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2020
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  4. hirundine

    hirundine Contributor Contributor

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    I use foreshadowing. None of it is necessary in order for the relevant events to happen. I use it to hint at future developments. Some pieces, people will probably get them straight away and be looking for the thing to happen. Some of them, people will miss them, but when the thing happens, they'll realise it was hinted at and they should have seen it coming. And some of them would be missed entirely, but noticed instantly on a second reading.
     
  5. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    Foreshadowing often has a lot to do with tone. When an event or relationship is going swimmingly, that alone can foreshadow something will go wrong. Or somebody saying "I'm so happy, I don't ever want this to change," means yep, it's going to change. Or it can be a character noticing something odd or out of place—but they pass it off as a coincidence or an anomaly that's easily explained. Oh dear, she forgot her handbag! The reader will remember this bag, even though the character assumes the person simply forgot her bag. Of course the handbag is there for a different reason entirely, which will soon be revealed....

    Foreshadowing doesn't have to be as obvious as the dreaded, "If only she had known...." Instead, it can just be tonal dissonance ...someone is either overly optimistic, or maybe slightly pessimistic when optimism would normally be called for. It can also be a detail ...a detail that seems trivial (but make sure the reader picks up on it) but will later prove to be very important.

    Hiding in plain sight is often the best technique to develop. It takes skill to make a hint register, without being too obvious.
     
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