All Writers Must Master This Psychological Concept
There is a concept all writers must master. To present a fully engaging story to the reader, an excellent writer must understand the principles of Gestalt.
The idea is simple. The human brain takes bits of information and organizes those pieces into a whole.
Our brains have a natural desire to make sense of everything. It is a survival skill. With only a bit of information (a growl, a rustle in the leaves, an odor) we can make important decisions (there is a tiger over there, run.)
We pick up non-verbal cues when we talk, we perceive subtle changes in motion when we drive, we get a “sense” of our environment, and can instantly make conclusions and adjustments.
A talented writer must, therefore, always keep in mind that a reader does not need all the bits and pieces. Just give the reader enough for them to make their own determination… then keep the story moving.
Give just enough information … anything more only slows down the reader and makes the story seem to drag on.
For example:
John didn’t want to wake up. The effects of last night were still lingering with him. He eventually dragged himself out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom, still dressed in last night’s clothing. After struggling with the zipper on his jeans, he could finally relieve himself. Though he wanted to go back to bed and sleep off his hangover, he forced himself to the kitchen for a strong cup of coffee. He would have to be at work in less than an hour. Mondays suck.
Okay… This is typical of a new writer. The compulsion to include every detail and feed every bit of information meticulously to the reader.
Unnecessary and not fun to read.
The job of a writer is to come up with a way to only show the essential bits and to do so in a way that reveals personality, motivation, and setting.
At 7:30, John’s urge to piss was stronger than his hangover. If he didn’t have to work in the same clothes, he considered just peeing himself and sleeping another hour.
Time to man up, pee, and get to work. Fuck Mondays.
You get a strong sense of character and motivation. And they only gave basic details.
Or how about…
Why did he indulge so much last night? He had not woken up with such urgency to urinate since high school. He had to be at work in an hour. Time to accept his fate. He peed, took a quick shower, and grabbed a cup of strong coffee before heading to work.
A distinct personality, right?
And finally.
John pissed himself and went back to sleep. Fire me… see if I give a fuck.
Again, just a few bits of information. And we get a strong sense of character.
This is a challenge for all writers. Give just enough information for the reader to conclude what you want them to conclude.
Don’t explain details… create a picture.
Send one thousand words to submissions@warpspeedediting.com for a free Sample Edit.
