When I first started writing, I wrote historical romances. I would send my chapters to friends to critique and get comments back like these. "Your description his bedchamber was missing." Another might note, "I know she's wearing her day dress but add more details such as color, cotton/silk, ease in disrobing."
I would think, didn't my fellow authors have imaginations? Couldn't they visualize these features? Yes, I didn't understand the power of description. How important is this necessary tool? Here are some explanations I found for us. The quotes are from scribewriting.com.
"Often description is the factor that solidifies in the reader's mind whether the book is for them or not. It creates a vivid picture for the reader and allows them to open a gateway to your story and imagine
themselves in your fictional world."
themselves in your fictional world."
And if you're still not convinced, I have discovered this information on allwritefictionadvice.blogspot. Description conveys a sense of:
a person/background
emotion or mood
tension/atmosphere
action."
Perhaps it was just practice, or maybe it was I finally learned to picture myself in the scenes I wrote, but I've become a fan of description. I truly found that by improving my written illustrations I was able to pull others into my plot.
So I'm curious. Do you find the writer's descriptive narrative carries you deeper into the tale and convinces you to buy the book?
But don't leave yet. I'm happy to announce that Christmas at the Easy Breezy is available to pre-buy. This is a second-chance at love, sweet contemporary romance. The heroine is searching for her family. Our hero is looking for someone to complete his. On sale today for ONLY .99¢.
And don't forget if you haven't picked up your copy of Last Chance Beach "Summer Ends, you can still get it in Kindle for only .99¢. Don't forget while there to get a FREE copy of Cocktails on Last Chance Beach, our gift to you.
My friends, that's all for today,
Take care, stay healthy, and be rich if books.
Nora
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Nora - I love a good descriptive sentence- but sometimes some authors ramble on for paragraphs with descriptions I just skim over. My husband loves to read old Tom Clancy novels and I tried to read one ONCE! The description of a bullet as it left a gun chamber went on for 2 pages and I gave up!! there's a delicate balance to knowing when enough is enough or too much!!! I'm still learning that 5 years into my writing career. Great post and got me thinking!
ReplyDeletePeggy, I know sometimes just going back to the basics does get us thinking. I like to go to craft workshops because it always triggers things that improve my own stories. My dh loves Clancy too. 2 pages --must have been quite a shot!
DeleteI think there is nothing more beautiful than description done well. I can still "see" the settings and some of the scenes and expressions from favorite books because those authors have mastered that. (I haven't.) And yet...I remember at a writers' group meeting where a writer read a scene aloud that had us all so spellbound no one wanted to read after her. It was fabulous! But nothing happened--the story didn't move. She had work to do, but, oh, what a beginning. Interesting post!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Liz. It's how you weave the information into the story which takes talent or skill. I remember at one RWA Conference they read a Nora Roberts scene. I was surprised at how descriptive and almost poetic the scene she'd written was. She's one of my favorites, and I confess I'd never noticed this about her writing. Right in front of my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 thoughts about desciption. (1) It should be succinct enough to paint a picture but short enough that a reader doesn't skim over it as Peggy mentioned. (2) Description should fit the genre in order to meet reader expectations. Readers usually choose books in a favorite genre. If they love a police procedural mystery, they would be dismayed by the kind of description in a historical romance. This is one reason readers aren't cross-genre readers. Having said that, it's entirely possible to have great description, regardless of genre, as long as the description is compelling and "fits" genre and the tone of a book.
ReplyDeleteGreat points, Joan. Thanks for adding in those ideas. Historical writing requires a knowledge of another world. And the fans are well versed in the time periods.
ReplyDeleteI love description if it is well done. Once attended an Emerald City Writers Conference workshop. The challenge was to write a love scene using all the 5 senses but nothing graphic. I was treated to some of the most poetic prose I have ever read. It truly challenged me, and is something that stuck in my head. I am very visual.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful workshop. I hope it comes up again and I can go to it.
DeleteAs a reader description is far more important to me than I realized. I enjoy historical romance because it takes me away from today’s stresses. I’ve also been rereading some favourite authors. I read a fave last week and realized she was very light on description around, food, clothes, decor...and I’d got so used to it from other authors that I was let down at the lack. I never saw this before...but I’ve been reading great description that pulled me in. I’ve been spoiled I guess. And I MUST SAY here that Peggy Jaeger’s WOKE is 495 (I swear) different words to describe the eyes...they aren’t just filled with say laughter...they’re doused, drowned, awash...This made me want to improve my own descriptions and i know I’m working on it. (Note to self it’s time to write a review on WOKE)
ReplyDeleteGreat job explaining how valuable description is Bonnie. Wonder what Peggy will surprise us with next?
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Nora. Definitely food for thought.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathleen. We're never done finding more. I guess that keeps us guessing what's next.
DeleteI will say I like a small amount of description when I read but if there's too much, I have a tendency to skim over that part. My writing is pretty much this way. I give basic info on what the character looks like or scenery but the rest I leave to the imagination of the readers.
ReplyDeleteI've become more of a fan, but honestly, for years I skipped most descriptions, thinking I preferred my imagination of a character or a scene. That's changed as I worked to master my aversion(?).
ReplyDeleteI'm not a description person, but I think that's not the norm. So, I have to force myself to be more descriptive in my writing. I do realize its importance, but I'm quite cranky about it.
ReplyDeleteI probably don't do much description, especially of my characters. I have to remind myself. When I'm reading I don't really think about what people look like, and sometimes I'm startled if I come across a description that's different than what I would imagine. OTOH, I get very excited if I come across a description of a place where I've been.
ReplyDelete