Comments on: Chekhov’s Gun: A Double-edged Writing Sword

By: 🖋 Writing Links Round Up 8/22 – B. Shaun Smith

🖋 Writing Links Round Up 8/22 – B. Shaun Smith — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 19:25:26 +0000

[…] Chekhov’s Gun: A Double-edged Writing Sword […]

By: Kris Maze

Kris Maze — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 06:37:41 +0000

Hi Bob,
I've always been unclear about Chekhov's Gun and the McGuffin. It's great to know these tools to add intrigue to any story. Thanks!
Kris

By: dholcomb1

dholcomb1 — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 03:25:34 +0000

It's especially important in short story where you can't afford to get carried away with details which would work better in a longer book.

denise

By: Eldred Bird

Eldred Bird — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 03:50:43 +0000

In reply to Jenny Hansen. We'll make a mystery writer out of you eventually!

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 02:03:07 +0000

Bob, I'd never heard of Chekhov's Gun before you, so this was fascinating for me and really clarifies a problem I've always had with my opening scene. Thanks for explaining it so well!

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 02:02:06 +0000

In reply to Anna. That is super interesting, Anna.

By: Eldred Bird

Eldred Bird — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 15:32:22 +0000

In reply to Ellen Buikema. Thanks, Ellen. I love that the Winchester is Chekhov's gun in Shaun of the Dead. I wonder if the writer did that on purpose as a nod to Chekhov?

By: Eldred Bird

Eldred Bird — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 15:28:49 +0000

In reply to Anna. Great example, Anna!

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 14:37:16 +0000

Your car analogy for MacGuffin and Chekhov's Gun clarified the meanings for me. Thanks, Bob!

How about the Winchester rifle in Shaun of the Dead?

I loved The Fifth Element!

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 13:15:27 +0000

Years ago I had a writing teacher who used this principle but called it a "camel": any object integral to the story whose significance would become apparent only later, usually at the climax. He required the "camel" to be mentioned at least three times. For the next week's short-story exercise, I loved using an actual ceramic camel, first showing it on a tabletop, then having a character stroke it absent-mindedly, and finally having another character pitch it at the first character's head in the heat of an argument.