Alright fellow Californian’s calm down, this is a figurative saying. Chekhov’s gun is a writing tool, one that I personally believe is underused. But, let me backpedal here and explain what Chekhov’s gun is first. In basics, it’s the theory in writing/storytelling/etc. that (paraphrasing from Chekhov himself) if a gun is introduced then it must be shot later on. Now, is this a rule used only for guns or weaponry? No, the point is that a detail should have a use, otherwise it’s— well, useless! Let me show you how Chekhov’s theory works. If I were to write:

The paintings on the wall hung in scattered order, with some crooked and some aligned just right. For being an art gallery, they weren’t the most detail oriented. “Hm,” Felicia hummed as she shrugged it off before turning down the hall. She had a meeting to attend, if she was to work here eventually then she better be early to her interview.

Now, don’t those paintings feel important? What if I told you they’re never mentioned again? They hold no use in the plot or in showing character. They’re just there. Maybe I put that in just for fun! That would feel disappointing as a reader, wouldn’t it? To read a detail that sounds so important only for it not to be? That can make a reader start to dismiss details as well as lose interest in them. Why pay attention to details when it’s just an author rambling on and on about things that aren’t important?

I can tell you this, it is difficult to remove unneeded details that are just taking up space! I suffer sometimes because us authors love every tiny detail, sometimes they’re even the favorites! Recently, when editing my chapters I had to cut out a line that mentioned Daffodil (one of the main cast) owning heeled, fuzzy, sparkly slippers. It was just such a fun and interesting detail! But it held no reason to be mentioned, even outside of Chekhov’s gun. Am I mentioning this here just because I still really want to share it? Shhhhhh. Don’t think too much about my reasons.

Back to Chekhov gun… Now I will say, it’s okay to mention something like the color of a building even if it has no use. Just don’t zoom in on details that are not going to hold an important role! For example, if I wanted the paintings to be dismissed, I could’ve said:

The crooked and scattered paintings on the wall didn’t speak well of the professionalism of the gallery. “Hm,” Felicia hummed as she shrugged it off before turning down the hall. She had a meeting to attend, if she was to work here eventually then she better be early to her interview.

See? Now the paintings aren’t a focus, and in a way have a use that isn’t major. But back to the original, where the paintings were a focused detail. They had to be used eventually! So how could such a detail be important? Well, what if later on…:

Felicia adjusted the button on her blouse as she trotted into the gallery. It was her first day there, and finally she would realign those crooked paintings. She followed the scattered pattern, dusting off each golden frame. Once that was done, she began to turn the crooked paintings right—

The frame scratched against the wall, groaning. And for a piece of painted wood with canvas it was weighty—

“Ack!” Falicia cried as the painting fell off the wall and tumbled to the ground. Oh no. No, no, no. She was definitely getting fired—

“HEY!” a security guard called, rushing over. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

“I was trying to realign it! I promise—”

“Sure, realign it. That makes sense,” the security guard murmured as he rolled his eyes before picking up the painting, shoving a— green note?—Back under the backing. “You’re that new hire of Mr. Richards, aren’t you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You should go talk to him. I think you don’t really need this job.”

“What?! I— Why wouldn’t I need this job!”

“Why would you need two paychecks?”

“Two paychecks? Wha— What are you talking about?

“What are you talking about?” The security guard threw back at her as he set the painting back into its crooked placing. “Someone is buying that one today, you should be happy it didn’t break open. It’d be a mess to clean, now you should do as I said and go see Mr. Richards.”

Suddenly, you’re starting to see the bigger picture. The offset paintings aren’t just paintings; there is something more to them. In this short story example, they’re being used for money laundering. Resulting in Felicia going through a wild whirlwind of either keeping her job and safety to play along or to try stopping a crime ring. Even when she can’t get anywhere close to enforcement agencies without eyes seeing her. See how a small detail can hold an important part in a story? The more you think about it, the more you’ll find Chekhov’s gun in the books you read! Was there ever a focused detail that later because of use? Minor or big? That was Chekhov’s gun, it played a role and was a detail that was pre-established.

Let me add one more thing to this concept, it can work in reverse too. Make sure you pre-establish a detail you already have BIG plans for. Though, technically, this is just the writing tool of foreshadowing so it’s not a huge revelation.

Thank you reading through my Chekhov’s gun 101 rant!

Update time!

So, update on Do It for the Fame! It’s just about ready to be out! You can expect it this December! It’s in the final editing phase, after that it’s just the more difficult parts of getting everything organized for the publishing! Outside of that, I have also started up my own YouTube channel for the sake of getting the word out! If you can I would appreciate if you check it out, here is the link to it: https://www.youtube.com/@AuthorNicoleSoto