MJ took 10 minutes to write this. The stretch of story takes place in Chapter 10 of the Grobug Tales chapter book.
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What do you think of the results?
Look at for a 10 Minute Drawing video tomorrow!
October 03, 2023
Shapes shifted silently in the mist. Tut peered into the swirling mist to decipher the meaning of the shapes and movements he beheld. The hollow was so filled with mist that the night had turned into a white field as dangerous and unknowable as the deepest darkness. Tut wondered at the danger presented by both the isolation of darkest night and this new thing, this bright void. The moments passed with such stillness that Tut considered the others. He touched each of them with his mind, sending assurance to them and blessing them with strength to endure the nothingness. Then something happened and Tut was almost too late to notice it.
[110 Words, 15 minutes]
Comments:
As I was reading back over this passage, I noticed that I had repeated the concepts of complete darkness and complete light several times, drawing parallels between the mystery of a pitch black night and the mystery of a blank white fog. On one hand, I like the idea of contrasting these two visual extremes and how disorienting both can be. I think it’s an evocative image that will appeal to young readers.
However, upon reflection, I realized that the repetition of these motifs was likely overdone. As a writer, it’s important to identify when you are belaboring a point or imagery to the extent that it becomes heavy-handed or distracting. Though I want to maintain the atmospheric tension created by the fog, I plan to pull back on reinforcing the darkness/light dichotomy so many times in the editing process.
This example illustrates the importance of re-reading and self-critiquing as you write novels or other long works. It’s easy to fall into repetitive patterns without realizing it in the heat of the creative process. Stepping back and reviewing your work with a critical eye allows you to smooth over those rough patches for a more polished end result. Writing is an iterative process, and keeping an eye out for opportunities to refine your work ultimately makes you a stronger storyteller.
Let me know in the comments if you have any other thoughts or feedback on creating atmosphere and description in fantasy writing! I hope you enjoyed this quick reflection on my own writing challenges and triumphs.
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MJ Muñoz 