Oct 31 2009
Novel-Writing Tips of the Day: How to Deal With Supernatural Elements
1. Foreshadow the supernatural. Introducing magic or vampires or over-the-top superpowers into a story that previously had seemed constrained to reality will probably disorient readers unless you have taken steps to prepare them. In some cases, your title, backcover blurb and/or cover will do so. Otherwise, you should probably suggest that something is not quite normal in this world you are showing us. For example, before the protagonist discovers that there’s a dragon or a vampire in the basement, perhaps he could find strange claw marks or woodsland animals that have been de-blooded.
