What Are Tone & Mood In Writing And How Can You Utilise Them?

Editors, coaches and writers will throw around a lot of creative writing terminology, and sometimes it’s not always clear what they mean.

So, if you’ve heard the terms “tone” and “mood” in writing but aren’t sure exactly what they are or how to use them in writing, keep reading.

“Tone” in creative writing is defined as the attitude your words convey. “Mood” is how the reader is made to feel as a result of the tone.

Tone and mood are two literary devices I assess in my developmental edits, but writers don’t always understand what they are or how they work.

So here’s how you can develop tone and mood in your writing.

Use specific language

Language is one of the best ways to convey tone and give a reader a sense of what to feel. Tones in writing can be described as “humorous”, “apathetic”, “bitter”, “lighthearted”, etc. This is often linked to the voice and style of the writing, and these tones can be developed through the author’s use of language.

For example: a down-on-his-luck alcoholic cop might see something red as being the colour of fresh blood, while an idealistic university student might consider it closer to her favourite shade of lipstick. Already they’re giving a different feel to the colour and how it should be perceived by the reader.

This also helps to develop the mood. A character who likens something to the colour of blood is going to give the book a more sinister and tense feel than a character who compares to lipstick and has more of an innocent and bubbly view of things.

Use internal monologue

A writer’s secret weapon is internal monologue. It’s the best way to develop character and another great way to suggest the tone.

Using internal monologue allows you to explore how your character truly feels about something. Are they apprehensive and fearing the worst? Are they excited and positive? More than that, you can contrast what they say or do with what they think.

For example: outwardly, your character may be positive about something they secretly don’t want to do, while inwardly they’re thinking what a disaster they’re about to encounter.

Internal monologue allows you to develop your characters voice, which can help to develop the tone and overall mood. Your character’s thoughts, opinions, and actions influence the reader and inform them how to feel, so use your point of view characters’ inner thoughts to do that.

Use the setting

For some genres and stories, settings can be used as more than just a backdrop to the story. Sometimes, it can become its own character and set the tone of the book.

For example: a murder mystery taking place in a creepy, rundown mansion adds to the tension and unease. A murder mystery taking place on a party island will have a very different feel to it. It depends what you’re going for.

Using the setting — and even the weather — can be a great way to develop the tone and create the atmosphere you need in order for the reader to feel a certain way while reading. You can also explore your characters’ responses to the setting to help develop the tone.

Use sentence structure

Sentence structure can have a big impact on how the reader feels while reading. Short, snappy sentences often give a sense of urgency and desperation. It creates tension and distress for the reader. These are effective when writing actions scenes or moments of big stakes and tension. Long, flowing sentences feel more relaxed and calm and can make the reader feel as ease. These are most effective when exploring internal monologue, developing the character, and setting the scene.

Playing with sentence structure allows you to manipulate the tone and the feeling of each scene. Paired with strong word choice and internal monologue, you can make a reader feel just about anything.

If you’d like a professional pair of eyes on your manuscript to assess how you’re developing the tone and mood of your story (as well as other important creative writing techniques), my developmental edit is your solution! In-depth inline edits and an extensive editorial report will provide actionable and solutions-based feedback to lead your next round of revisions.