Writing Tip: Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing might be one of my favorite elements of storytelling. I love leaving breadcrumbs that hint at what lies ahead, subtly creating anticipation from the very beginning of the story.
What is foreshadowing, and why does it matter?
For a widely accepted definition, foreshadowing is the strategic placement of hints or clues in a narrative that allude to future events. It's a tool that creates a sense of anticipation, allowing readers to subconsciously predict or speculate about the unfolding story. While the events may not be explicitly revealed, the careful use of foreshadowing plants seeds of curiosity in the reader's mind. Why is foreshadowing crucial in storytelling? Beyond creating a sense of suspense, foreshadowing connects seemingly disparate events, tying everything together. When a well-foreshadowed event finally occurs, readers experience an "aha" moment, realizing everything was subtly hinted at all along. It’s so satisfying, isn’t it??
An Example:
I’m re-reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. I reviewed it here a while back. Our very first clear instance of foreshadowing occurs early in the book when Mika Moon (our main character) receives an unexpected message inviting her to Nowhere House to teach three young witches. This invitation breaks all the rules she has been following about staying hidden and not mingling with other witches, hinting at the major changes and challenges that will disrupt her previously solitary life. This sets the stage for Mika's journey of finding a place where she belongs, and the various dangers that await her and the newfound family she comes to protect. Looking back, the entire first act is non-stop foreshadowing of the fact that her solitude and isolation (and her beliefs surrounding the necessity of being alone) will be challenged throughout the story.
We start the book being told immediately that witches in this world do not live together and do not interact with one another… something about a spell that went wrong a long time ago, orphaning all witches and making it unsafe for them to gather. However, we’re also shown immediately that Mika isn’t completely content with the isolation, as evidenced by her online presence “pretending to be a witch”, and her sour feelings toward Primrose, the older witch who adopted her but left nannies and teachers to raise her. Along those same lines, all the information we receive about Primrose and the way she raised Mika hint at things which unfold in the current narrative.
Several characters talk about the upcoming visit from Edward, seeking paperwork left behind from the absent owner of Nowhere House, Lilian. Lilian adopted the three girls, but we know immediately that something more is going on with this, and we’re not sure where Lilian is. If she’d just show up, Edward wouldn’t have to come at all. The adult characters state several times that they could lose the girls when he visits, especially with their unpredictable power, but they also say outright that they’re entirely certain Lilian will not be there. That’s all I’ll say, because I don’t want to give anything away.
There are at least a dozen other specific instances of foreshadowing coming to mind for this book, but I don’t want to risk spoilers. If you haven’t read it already, you must! And then come tell me what you thought about it. I’d love someone to talk with.
Types of Foreshadowing:
Direct Foreshadowing
In this straightforward approach, the narrative explicitly hints at future events. A character might utter a prophecy or make a statement that directly alludes to what will happen later. This type of foreshadowing is bold and overt, ensuring readers catch the intended clues. N. K. Jemisin uses this brilliantly from the very first pages of her book, The Fifth Season. She literally tells us from the beginning what’s happening, but as readers we don’t get it since we’re new to the world. On reread, I was so surprised by how blatant her foreshadowing was!
Subtle Clues
Subtle foreshadowing involves incorporating inconspicuous details that gain significance later. These details may seem insignificant at the time but take on a new meaning as the story unfolds. Readers, in retrospect, connect the dots and appreciate everything even more. Most of us have read The Hunger Games and there are countless examples of this, but I’ll highlight one of the earliest breadcrumbs (literally in chapter 1): Katniss’ skill with the bow, and her aptitude for hunting. This becomes direct in chapter 3 when Gale tells her the Games are like hunting, only she’ll be hunting humans.
Symbolic Foreshadowing
Symbolic elements or recurring motifs can serve as foreshadowing devices. Objects, colors, or symbols may represent upcoming events, creating a layer of symbolism that enriches the story. This type of foreshadowing adds depth. Using the same book (The Hunger Games), the mockingjay is a prime example of symbolic foreshadowing. The Capitol’s failed experiment with the mockingjay becoming the symbol of resistance against them is really well done and basically tells us exactly what’s going to happen in the series with Katniss, the girl from District 12 who was created by the Capitol and its violence, only for her to become the symbol of the rebellion. The author, Collins, even gives us a scene where Katniss wears a dress on stage in front of her adoring Capitol fans, revealing wings like the mockingjay when she raises her arms. So well done!
Character Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing can be embedded in character arcs. A character's actions, decisions, or even dialogue may foreshadow their future trajectory. If we’re really observant, we can pick up on these cues, anticipating the character's development. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue uses this a lot, with all of its characters. We see it in the way Addie, at the very beginning of her young life, desires freedom. She doesn’t want to be trapped, or to be forced to conform to society’s expectations. The irony is that her deal with Luc ultimately traps her—just in a different way.
How To Implement This Tool:
Foreshadowing works best when strategically placed. I’m sometimes pleasantly surprised when I’m rereading an early draft, only to discover some pretty solid foreshadowing that made it into the manuscript organically. But even then, I’m intentional about going back to sprinkle hints throughout the story, making sure to spread them out here and there, rather than concentrating them in one section. This way, I can ensure a gradual buildup of anticipation without revealing too much too soon.
While foreshadowing provides hints, maintaining an element of mystery is crucial. I prefer to give readers enough to intrigue them without fully disclosing the outcome, so I personally tend to err on the side of not overdoing it. That said, if the reader gets to the end and has had NO clue a twist or revelation was coming, even if only on a subconscious level, those big moments fall flat and just leave the reader confused and unsatisfied. This is where it becomes primarily about striking a balance between revelation and concealment. Every instance of foreshadowing should be relevant to the overall plot, so these hinted events must contribute meaningfully to the narrative.
As an extra tip based on my own personal experiences, I do my best to avoid unnecessary foreshadowing that might confuse or mislead readers. I’ve had one too many frustrating reading experiences where I’ve made mental notes of details because I expect them to matter later, only to have them totally dropped, or to realize they were literally only used to throw me off. That, to me, is not satisfying.
So basically? I go scene-by-scene during editing and look for opportunities to hint at future revelations, using what’s hapening in that particular scene to hopefully tie everything together from beginning to end.
If we’re doing things right as writers, our readers will hopefully connect more deeply with our characters and worlds because they’re more actively participating in the story, looking for clues and putting the pieces together.
Happy writing!
