Memory
when the audience knows what the characters don't
Hi there, I am writing a novel and I would like to include scenarios where the audience knows what the characters don't. How can I do this effectively?
Hello! What you're referring to is a literary device known as 'dramatic irony'. This is used in stories to create suspense or humor. You can effectively use this technique by providing the reader with information about the plot or the future events in the story that the characters are not privy too.
Can you give me an example?
Of course! An example can be a story where a detective is trying to solve a crime, but unknown to him, the reader already knows the identity of the criminal from an earlier chapter. This creates tension as the reader watches the detective unknowingly interact with the criminal while trying to solve the case.
I see, how can I avoid making it over-obvious and lose the suspense?
Great question! You need to strike a balance. Sharing too many details can make it over-obvious, but sharing too few might leave your audience confused. A pro tip about using dramatic irony is to only divulge key pieces of information that heighten tension or intrigue. It has to be done subtly, with implications rather than outright revelations.
Remember: Everything Talkie says is made up!