Writing Excuses 19.14: A Close Reading on Voice- Epistolary Storytelling Through Voice
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Apr 7, 2024 Explore the art of epistolary storytelling and its impact on character portrayal. Learn about the playful novella creation process and the dynamics of writing through letters. Discover how humor is used in serious situations to add depth to narratives and reveal character development. Engage in a writing exercise transforming notes into different digital formats to alter the tone of the message.
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Epistolary Insights
- Epistolary writing reveals characters' thoughts about each other through subtext and framing.
- Letters written to a specific audience differ from those for a broad audience, like news articles.
Publisher's Doubt
- Mary Robinette Kowal initially worried about the novella's time travel and epistolary format.
- The book's success proved that unconventional choices can work with effective execution.
Purposeful Epistolary
- Use epistolary form purposefully, ensuring the letters advance the plot.
- Avoid using letters solely for stylistic reasons without clear narrative function.