Comments on: Writing Techniques: Use and Abuse of “Lampshading” https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/ Helping writers become bestselling authors Sat, 16 Sep 2023 20:05:04 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765425 Sat, 16 Sep 2023 20:05:04 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765425 In reply to Patrick Witz.

Hi Patrick,

Yes, that sounds like lampshading, but also a form of fourth-wall breaking. It’s lampshading that speaks directly to the reader rather than using a less-directed, general “calling out” approach.

The less subtle the lampshading, the more it tends to veer into that fourth-wall-breaking territory, which can be great for some stories. Think of something like the Deadpool movies — if the style and tone of that exchange you shared are carried throughout the rest of your story, I think it could definitely work. 🙂

(Whereas, if that exchange’s style is a one-off in your story, the tone of lampshading/fourth-wall breaking of that exchange probably sets the wrong expectation of the style of the story.)

Make sense? Good luck!

]]> By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765424 Sat, 16 Sep 2023 19:51:20 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765424 In reply to RachelT.

Hi Rachel,

Yes! That’s definitely lampshading. Now, whether or not that technique works or comes across like weak storytelling can depend on several things, as mentioned in this post.

So it doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but too often it can be used as a crutch by authors who don’t put in the work to make something believable. Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: Patrick Witz https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765422 Sat, 16 Sep 2023 18:40:37 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765422 Never heard of the technique or the term… but interestingly may have instinctively used it in my writing. Curious… I started a short story recently with an apparent, dramatic cliche opening sentence, “It was on a dark, foggy, early morning when tragedy struck!” Then followed that sentence with a question to the reader, “Too cliche?” Then proceeded to confirm the true aspects of the cliche, “It was dark. It was foggy. And it was early in the morning.” But then set the story line by pointing out the overly exaggerated “tragic” portion of the cliche and what truly had happened. Would that still be considered a form of Lamp-Shading?

]]> By: RachelT https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765413 Sat, 16 Sep 2023 00:06:02 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765413 I learned something new! I’ve run into ‘If this were a rom-com…’ regularly in romance novels to explain away storylines that are just a little too fanstastical. Always drives me crazy. Such weak story telling.

]]> By: Drew Barrymore disinvited from National Book Awards (This week in books) - Nathan Bransford | Writing, Book Editing, Publishing https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765409 Fri, 15 Sep 2023 19:00:29 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765409 […] writing advice news, Jami Gold looks at the uses and misuses “lampshading,” where authors tip the reader off that they know they know something in the plot is illogical. […]

]]> By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765390 Wed, 13 Sep 2023 01:06:59 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765390 In reply to Sarah Kolb-Williams.

Hi Sarah,

Yes, there’s so much we can do with our instincts when it comes to writing. 🙂 But I figure if we understand where those instincts come from, we can use these techniques better and more purposefully. Thanks for stopping by!

]]> By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765388 Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:08:07 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765388 In reply to MINDY ALYSE WEISS.

Hi Mindy,

Yes, it’s one of those techniques that the more I thought about it, the more I realized how it could be done well. 🙂 Thanks for chiming in!

]]> By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765387 Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:07:06 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765387 In reply to BECCA PUGLISI.

I’m so glad this made sense, Becca. This was a tricky one to break down (hence the longer than usual post–lol!).

Thanks again for having me here! <3

]]> By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765386 Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:05:38 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765386 In reply to ANGELA ACKERMAN.

Exactly, Angela! And making it feel “organic” and “natural” is a great way to put it. 🙂

Thanks again for having me here! <3

]]> By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765385 Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:04:18 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765385 In reply to Kassandra Lamb.

Hi Kassandra,

Yes, I think many of used the technique without realizing it. 🙂 But I figured if we understand it better, we can make sure to use it well, as there are many ways to screw it up too–lol. Thanks for stopping by!

]]> By: Sarah Kolb-Williams https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765384 Tue, 12 Sep 2023 18:09:14 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765384 I love this! I’ve seen writers do this, and I’ve done it myself in my own fiction, but it honestly never occurred to me that there was a name for this technique (or even that it was a whole “technique”). Really interesting breakdown and gave me a lot to think about as I return to my WIP.

]]> By: Kassandra Lamb https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/09/writing-techniques-use-and-abuse-of-lampshading/#comment-765383 Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:06:48 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=52656#comment-765383 In reply to Kassandra Lamb.

“in the future” — Note to self, proofread the comment BEFORE you post it, not after.

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