What is vignette writing? A vignette writing in literature is a brief, focused writing of a thought, memory or episode that is usually presented to provide a short or descriptive moment in time that helps to support the bigger story being told. A vignette can support the plot or create a subplot to create tension or establish a neutral resting point. A vignette can be many things.
A vignette writing is usually less than 1,000 words and typically has a title. My earlier vignettes ranged between 300 to 600 words in length. Some of my newer vignettes are now greater than 1,000 words. And all my vignette writings have a title that presents the hint to the content of the writing, A Muse Title.
My vignette writings are also my muse writings. As I write these vignettes, I seek out the muse of my inspiration. In the memories of my life writings my muse is the character of the memory which is usually myself. In other writings my muse might be a character who appears for a moment, but this character establishes the purpose of that writing.
On this site, my vignette writings represent my first drafts, which could be considered raw writings, that will help in the development of my future memoirs and for several young adult fiction books that are based on my troubled teenage years. Each vignette is titled to help me develop how my story will be joined together and will inform which vignettes become the basis for future fiction writings.
There is also an adult fiction book hidden in my writings that I have outlined and hope to start in 2027. There will be three endings to this book for the reader to choose from.
So how do I begin my vignettes.
My approach is to first recall the memory or event of what I plan to write about and then create a muse title for the writing. This muse title can change as the vignette writing evolves. This then sets into motion the writing of the draft of the event or memory which is usually about 250 words to 350 words. I will allow for a day to pass before I come back to the draft. This break allows me to consider more about what I am writing and how to present it in a way that should not create a liability issue with any of the people referenced in the vignette. I also do not use names, real or fictitious. I will refer to family in the way that generalizes a presence in that memory.
Once I do return to the vignette piece, I will continue the writing and typically for over a week or so I will add and edit until I believe that the writing reflects what I want the reader to experience. I strive to present quality, at least in its first draft form, rather than quantity.
And a thought for you.
If you are writing a vignette to express your story, don’t rush it. Take the long road and you will appreciate what you have written. Remember, your story is important, so tell it with meaning. And if you get emotional when writing your piece, go ahead and get out a good cry. Tears dry, but your story remains forever when put onto paper.
Cheers…