Using Compressed Narration in Fiction Writing
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
As an aspiring writer, you've likely heard the age-old adage "show, don't tell." While this rule can indeed be helpful in creating vivid scenes and engaging readers, it's not always the best advice and requires a more nuanced understanding. Sometimes, a brief summary, called “compressed narration” in literary circles, can be more effective and efficient in conveying important information to the reader. In this article, I’ll explore the concept of compressed narration, its impact on pacing, and when to use it in your writing. We'll also highlight the benefits of summarizing some events while dramatizing others and provide tips for mastering compressed narration in your work.
What Is Compressed Narration?
Simply put, compressed narration is a way of summarizing events or actions in a few brief sentences or paragraphs. It allows writers to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, like a movie montage. It can be useful when the story has moved beyond a crucial moment, or when certain details are not as essential to the plot and can be summarized. Compressed narration can help prevent the story from bogging down with too much information, keeping the narrative moving forward.
However, it's important to remember that compressed narration should be used sparingly. Too much summary can make the story feel rushed, and readers may lose interest in the characters and events. Finding the right balance between telling and showing is key to keeping readers engaged while moving the story along.
As a writer, it's important to know when to use compressed narration and when to render events in scene, or narration. Generally speaking, compressing is a good choice when you need to convey important facts, backstory, or exposition. It's also useful in transitioning from one scene to another, or when the story is fast-paced and full of action. Sometimes, you can skip over a scene that’s necessary to the plot, and catch readers up on the gist of what happened using compressed narration.
Directing Reader Attention In Your Story
On the other hand, it's essential to dramatize key scenes or moments that have high emotional impact. Showing these scenes in detail can help readers connect with the characters and events on a deeper level. You can find yourself directing reader attention and imply how important an event or scene is by either using scene or compressed narration. It's all about finding the right balance of action and information and knowing when to use compressed narration to aid pacing and when to use scenes to create an emotional impact.
The benefits of summarizing can be significant. By doing so, you can streamline the story, making it easier for the reader to follow the plot and keep track of details. Additionally, compressed narration can be used to create tension and anticipation, as readers wait to see how the events you’re summarizing will impact the following scenes. When used effectively, compressed narration can take a good story and turn it into a great one, delivering vital information quickly and moving the story forward.
Compressed Narration and Telling
However, it's important to note that the line between telling and compressed narration can be difficult to discern. It's helpful to keep in mind that compressed narration should still convey essential details and that you should avoid summarizing character development. You would not want to summarize a key emotional turning point of the story, for example. This can come across as lazy writing.
In summary, compressed narration is an essential tool for any writer to master. Knowing when to use it and when to render events in scene can make the difference between a mediocre story and a compelling one. By finding the right balance between telling and showing, writers can effectively control the pacing of their narrative, engage the reader, and deliver a powerful and immersive experience for readers. So, the next time you're struggling to convey information or move the story along, consider the power of compressed narration in your writing.
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