- 디테일 사전 : 시골 편
- 전작 <트라우마 사전>을 통해 매력적인 캐릭터에게는 항상 트라우마가 있다는 점에 주목한 두 저자들은 이번에는 스토리텔링의 또 다른 요소에 집중한다. 바로 배경이다. 이 시리즈는 생생한 배경을 연출할 수...
- 디테일 사전 : 도시 편
- 세상에 ‘평범한’ 배경은 없다. 《트라우마 사전》의 저자들이 알려주는, 빛나는 스토리를 완성시키는 장면 연출 가이드를 담은 책이다.
When writing, there are times when you need to describe the background.
However, the 'very stage where that particular event must unfold' isn't always readily present in the writer's mind. Rather, it's closer to the idea that after receiving various stimuli, they are barely able to conjure up a suitable setting.
In truth, background is not something that can be easily categorized as a core element in novel creation. Characters and events are far more important.
But backgrounds create atmosphere, provide a soundtrack, and help imbue imagination with a sense of reality. They can also act as a savior when ideas are completely blocked, producing a major turning point.
Perhaps for poets, backgrounds are even more vital. However, for novelists, backgrounds should be something they can choose based on the nature of their characters and events. To achieve this, conducting on-site visits is the best approach, and gaining a feel for the place through photographs or videos is also necessary. But when working under time pressure, such initiatives become impossible.
That's where this [Detail Dictionary] comes in. In a way, this book serves as a dictionary or a map for setting the stage.
"The power of storytelling comes from detail." - From the book cover
It's a phrase that's impossible not to agree with. The power of storytelling truly does come from detail. For writers who ponder how to make their stories feel real and evoke empathy in their characters, detail is paramount.
This book is organized using the five senses + background description examples. In other words, it presents the most important sense, sight (scenery), first, followed by hearing (sound), smell (odor), taste (flavor), and touch (texture and feeling), stimulating the writer's imagination with keywords. While it might appear to be a random listing to ordinary individuals, it can serve as an opportunity for writers to see new things within that list. It's analogous to how a painter solidifies their foundation by studying human anatomy diagrams, vanishing points, and framing. Notably, "the cause of conflict that could arise in this setting" is the highlight of the book. As conflicts dynamically unfold between characters, stories gain momentum.
The process of replenishing one's depleted imagination does not solely rely on conscious effort. I believe it's more about those things that rise unconsciously, seemingly out of nowhere, amidst simple words and ordinary landscapes. Thus, this book is worth referring to repeatedly. The fact that it's published in two volumes, one for cities and another for rural areas, and that it's not too heavy despite its thickness, further enhances its usability.
However, because it's intended for American writers, it features many locations that are somewhat unfamiliar to Korean sensibilities—Las Vegas shows, cruise ships, casinos, and so on. Conversely, it's a bit disappointing that it lacks locations that resonate with Korean culture, such as PC bangs and cafes. In that case, it would be enjoyable to create a personal detail dictionary by organizing your own research materials on these locations using the format of this book.
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