Detailed and summarized parts in fiction stories
Asked by Demy Kartanou on April 7, 2020
First of all a big t h a n k y o u for all of your help!
What I'd like to ask is if there is a rule or not on when we should or can put more details in our narrative and when a summarized version? How should I decide which of the two is the best fit in each case? Does it depend entirely on the writer or not? For instance, one of the basic characters I have is unbelievably stubborn, fearless to the point of being ridiculously careless, that after some unfair and cruel incidents end up for a while being constantly on the run from the authorities in an almost international scale. Am I suppose to write scenes for every single time he messes up or being wrongfully pursued or write some here end there and afterward let the readers assume through summarized content that those misfortunes etc that I write in detail are just some of the similar troubles the character run to?
I really hope I explained what I mean clearly enough but not at an annoying level.
Jerry's Answer
You're welcome, Demy.
Yes, there are times when narrative summary eliminates repetition while establishing a regular pattern of behavior, so you can do as you suggest.
Other times it's acceptable to summarize rather than show every detail is when a character is merely getting from one place to the other or performing a mundane task.
For instance, if a CIA operative needs approval from headquarters in Langley to add a couple of people to his crew for an important operation, we don't need to see him getting up in the morning, shaving, showering, eating breakfast, calling for a car, riding to the airport, checking in, flying, landing, being picked up, getting to headquarters, and sitting through meetings. You could just say, After a two-day trip to Maryland to lobby for more personnel, Jack set about recruiting...
Or if he's taking a phone call, you can just say His phone chirped. It was Susan. We don't need him pulling out his phone, looking at the screen, or hitting the Accept Call button, saying hello, etc., etc. Just get to the good stuff. :)