When to use Summary in fiction

BlackBriar · Aug 8, 2009

This is a nice article on summary (with some words by Orson Scott Card) that I have read, and I would like your opinion on it.

Fiction Writing: The importance of summary

Now I get that most things in a novel need the rules 'show, don't tell'. It makes action, and dialogue more real and vibrant. It allows the reader to discover the world on their own, without forcing it on them. But what about Summary? Does it no longer have a place? I know it can be used sometimes, usually when you want to connect two scenes.

Basically I have a scene that shows the young MC's poverty. It is third person limited, and no one else is around. I've been told not to have a character 'think' too much. So should I just do a quick summary and have him get out the house? Should the MC have a conversation with himself in thoughts, or out loud?

Or should I just delete the scene and introduce it elsewhere since it can only be told, not shown? Cause I really don't want to go through the details of getting ready for school lol. Maybe through a scene where he is in a room similar to his own, and compares it mentally. I am starting to think this would be the right way to go. What about you?

Thanks for any help

.

Libbie · Aug 8, 2009

I haven't read the article, but I have read both of Card's books on writing, and I tended to agree with his suggestion that summary be used to indicate the passage of a significant amount of time. Sum up what's happened since the last major scene, as a bridge to the next major scene. Whatever happened shouldn't be of huge importance, since it's being delivered in a summary rather than as a scene.

My guess is that's what the article says. (I'd read it, but I'm supposed to be cleaning out a cricket colony right now and I am being naughty. So no time at the moment.)

Summarize your MC's poverty if doing so bridges two major scenes well. If you can show the poverty in a scene that will help build character or move the plot, by all means do so!

Matera the Mad · Aug 8, 2009

Summary serves a valuable purpose, digesting the boring parts that come between the fun parts so readers' eyes don't glaze over. They crossed the river and got to the foothills, now let's get on with it. I've read all Uncle Orson's online writing articles and absorbed them into my blood (prolly makes me vampire-proof).

Aschenbach · Aug 8, 2009

CupofDice said:
Basically I have a scene that shows the young MC's poverty. It is third person limited, and no one else is around. I've been told not to have a character 'think' too much. So should I just do a quick summary and have him get out the house? Should the MC have a conversation with himself in thoughts, or out loud?

Or should I just delete the scene and introduce it elsewhere since it can only be told, not shown?

You have answered your own question. DON'T have your MC sitting in his shitty room and thinking about how poor he is, especially if you write in 3rd. It could be done if you wrote it skilfully in 1st person. But in third limited you will be filtering a static scene = boring even to write, never mind read.

Let the boredom scene happen "offscreen". Don't even summarise it. You can establish that your MC has been bored and poor by context and contrast when you pick things up from when he/she is doing something interesting.

(crude example; MC is dressed in lots of winter clothes and is eating from bins whilst meeting mates at beach in summertime. They all laugh at him/her.)

backslashbaby · Aug 8, 2009

Poverty, hmmm. I could see either way. A few telling hints about his past that come up in his mind, maybe. Or a clever mental summary, if it's clever!

Actually, or an actual scene from his past, if it is gripping enough. And it shouldn't go on too long.

For me, it's whatever is interesting/clever enough. And all of those examples could be, imho.

BlackBriar · Aug 8, 2009

Thanks for the responses guys. I have gained some good ideas. I feel that it needs to be told early on because some stuff happens right off the bat.

Basically this is an alternate world, and there exists a caste system. He is from a lower caste. As said, some things happen off the bat, so it is important the reader knows his character is poor, or else the reader will be left wondering. If I did what Aschenbach suggested, then there will be less empathy for the character because in the first chapter some action happens.

I think I have the idea of a proper and necessary 'summary' in my head now, so thanks.

Danthia · Aug 9, 2009

I've found that summary works well when you're telling stuff the reader already knows, such as when the protag has to bring other characters up to speed on something, and you don't want to rehash the whole thing again.

A little summary is also not a terrible thing, but the trick is to keep it in your protag's voice (or the narrator's voice) so it doesn't read like "and now a word from our author."

James D. Macdonald · Aug 9, 2009

You need telling details on poverty?

Here you go: http://whatever.scalzi.com/2005/09/03/being-poor/

BlackBriar · Aug 9, 2009

I need details on the caste system and it's effect on my MC. Like I said, some stuff happens in the first chapter, and I want the reader to know where to character is coming from. Also it wasn't so much about it poverty, as it was about the life he wakes up to every day.

Edit: Thanks, but I don't really need the link. I can call on my own experiences.

Hey Danthia, came across your post here. Haven't had a change to read it yet, but it should be helpful.

Thanks.

backslashbaby · Aug 9, 2009

Wow to that blog linked. Yes, that would qualify as interesting/clever, imho! Powerful stuff.

BlackBriar · Aug 9, 2009

Just read it, and it was definitely insightful. Will keep it in mind. Thanks Danthia.

James D. Macdonald · Aug 9, 2009

Inigo Montoya: Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up...

Danthia · Aug 10, 2009

CupofDice said:
Just read it, and it was definitely insightful. Will keep it in mind. Thanks Danthia.

Thanks! Glad it was helpful.

When to use Summary in fiction

BlackBriar

Bricoleur

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Aschenbach

Moral Marjorie

backslashbaby

*

BlackBriar

Bricoleur

Danthia

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

BlackBriar

Bricoleur

backslashbaby

*

BlackBriar

Bricoleur

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

Danthia

When to use Summary in fiction

Bricoleur

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Moral Marjorie

~~~~*~~~~

Bricoleur

Danthia

Your Genial Uncle

Bricoleur

~~~~*~~~~

Bricoleur

Your Genial Uncle

Danthia

*

*