Writing Deep Viewpoint

by Kathy Tyers

Sooka stepped through the arch of her father’s grand inn, where wooden tables groaned under the weight of tonight’s dinner. Men and dwarves, halflings and elves, lined the tables. A welcoming fire burned on the hearth, and the inn smelled of stew, ale, and travelers’ sweat. There’s plenty of sensory detail in that paragraph, but there’s no story. No character in conflict. Let’s try again. Sooka stepped through the arch and looked around, frowning. Her father’s inn smelled of stew, ale, and travelers’ sweat. Most of the tables were occupied with halflings, elves and men, even the chilly one in the corner farthest from the fire. Her father ought to be standing near the kitchen arch, shouting at Cilly or arguing with a dwarf. Ought to be. Beyond the arch, the kitchen fire blazed. But where was Father?