This is indeed a great technique for fiction writers. George Saunders, in his book, "A Swim in a Pond in the Rain," describes this technique in the story written by Turgenev, 'The Singers.' Turgenev used the reaction shot you mention to show the reader how the audience reacts to the singers, and doesn't even describe the singing itself. It was a brilliant way to show the music's impact without trying to describe the sound itself.
Always works more effectively when the reader sees how others react.
Great post. It describes the writer’s way of giving the readers emotional guideposts without hitting them on the head with “You shall feel this.” Once again you have given me concrete info about what good writers do. Thank you, Junot.
This is indeed a great technique for fiction writers. George Saunders, in his book, "A Swim in a Pond in the Rain," describes this technique in the story written by Turgenev, 'The Singers.' Turgenev used the reaction shot you mention to show the reader how the audience reacts to the singers, and doesn't even describe the singing itself. It was a brilliant way to show the music's impact without trying to describe the sound itself.
Always works more effectively when the reader sees how others react.
Great post. It describes the writer’s way of giving the readers emotional guideposts without hitting them on the head with “You shall feel this.” Once again you have given me concrete info about what good writers do. Thank you, Junot.
Illuminating as always. Much thanks for sharing this bit of wisdom.
Yes! I'm a huge advocate for the reactor – or, as they call it in wrestling, "selling". I wrote about selling in wrestling here and later ended up incorporating it into my Creative Writing teaching. https://www.popmatters.com/pro-wrestling-godfather-selling-storytelling