Ah, contractions in thriller writing! This is a great way to keep your readers on the edge of their seats and create suspenseful scenes.
Mastering contractions is a critical element of an intense thriller. Understanding what contractions are in writing and how to use them within your storytelling effectively can take your thriller writing from mediocre to masterful!
This blog post will discuss contractions and how they can help you perfect the thriller genre. Read on to find out more about this critical writing skill!
What are contractions in writing, and why should you use them?
Contractions in writing are the shortened form or word combinations of two words like “wouldn’t” (would not), “can’t” (cannot), and “won’t” (will not), with an apostrophe taking the place of the missing letters. A common exception is the word “won’t (will not).
This is especially useful when writing a thriller—by adding contractions to your storytelling, you can create the illusion that your characters are talking to each other in real-time, even if they aren’t.
In a thriller, contractions can be used in several ways to enhance the story:
– First, they can be used as part of dialogue when characters speak casually or rapidly—this helps you write conversations more naturally and convincingly convey emotion and excitement.
– Secondly, contractions can help build tension by slowing down time and making everything seem urgent; for example, instead of saying “It was impossible” at an important moment, you could use “It was impossible!” to add emphasis on how critical it is.
– Finally, contractions will also make dialogue dynamic; writers who use them tend to sound much more natural than those who don’t!
Tips on how to incorporate contractions into your thriller
Don’t overuse them
Overusing contractions will make them feel less impactful; they should be used only where relevant so readers don’t become accustomed to them too quickly. Too many contractions in one sentence can oversaturate it with too much emotion.
Use them to start sentences
Doing this makes the dialogue appear more conversational while still capturing urgency.
Avoid unnecessary adverbs
Substituting a contraction instead of an adverb helps make your prose leaner.
Add pauses between sentences
Adding natural pauses like commas or periods between sentences is essential when using contractions.
Examples of how to use contractions in thriller writing
– When someone is in danger, they may say something like, ‘We gotta get outta here!’ or ‘I can’t believe this is happening!’ This type of urgency can be heightened with the use of a contraction.
– If a character is in a heated argument with another character, they may say, ‘You can’t do that!’ or ‘Don’t tell me what to do!’ This type of dialogue conveys the emotion behind their words and adds extra intensity to your story.
– If a character feels desperate or scared, they may say, ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you.’ This type of dialogue can create tension and suspense in your story.
– When creating a sense of suspense, contractions can be used in dialogue, such as ‘You wouldn’t believe what I saw.’ This type of dialogue creates tension and uncertainty.
– Suppose you’re writing a conversation between two characters where one is more formal than the other; you could use fewer contractions in formal writing with your first character while using more contractions with the other. (Also, it would be best to avoid contractions if you’re writing anything formal, like an academic paper or legal writing.)
When using contractions, make sure to follow the rules of grammar. If unsure, read through your writing and ensure that the verb tenses match each other—if not, it could confuse your reader.
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an expert thriller writer. Pay attention to the tone of voice and the context in which you’re using contractions—it can make a huge difference in how readers receive your story.
How to continually improve your writing by mastering the use of contractions
Now that you know how to use contractions effectively in your writing, it is time to put your new skills into practice! Try writing a scene where contractions are used appropriately and see their impact on the story.
If something seems off or awkward, read it out loud and adjust accordingly. This will help you hone in on the right tone for your story and ensure the dialogue feels natural.
You can find lists of contraction words for writers online that contain the most common contractions made out of common words. From there, you can learn everything about creating contractions and the exceptions to the rules regarding contractions and double contractions.
Grammarly is an excellent grammar checker that will also help you with contractions, and it’s free!
And don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from your peers or writing mentors. Having someone else read your work can help you identify areas that need improvement and give you a fresh perspective on using contractions more effectively in your stories.
Conclusion
It’s strongly recommended that thriller writers incorporate contractions in their dialogue whenever possible. The stakes are high when writing in a thriller genre, and contractions are a great way to create an urgent atmosphere of suspense.
Notice how characters pause during dialogue and try to add appropriate contractions naturally. With practice and dedication, mastering the use of contractions can help your dialogue become more natural-sounding and add levels of tension and intimacy between your characters.
Thank you for taking the time to read. May you find success and joy in all that you create.
If you’re working on your first novel and are looking for more help with your writing, please check out my other articles at https://ullahakanson.com/blog/
Best of luck! And happy writing!
Ulla
www.ullahakanson.com