Degree of Separation

Something my mentors told me, at least when writing first person or close third, is that the reader knows your character saw or heard something. They must have if you are writing about it.

Either write a scene that evokes intense emotion or look at your current WIP. Cut out any words such as <em>felt, saw, heard</em>. Does that give the scene more immediacy? It removes a degree of separation between the narrator and the reader.

This may not always be necessary or possible, but I think it’s a great exercise.

Happy Writing!