Comments on: Getting to Know Your Landscape

By: Andrea Vlahakis

Andrea Vlahakis — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:29:27 +0000

Anna, I think you’re right about writers afraid to describe setting. But I also agree that it must propel the plot forward. Depending on the book, it can be like another character–and it must come alive for the reader just like the characters do. Thanks for this post!

By: annastan

annastan — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:47:46 +0000

I go back and forth about description. Sometimes I love it and sometimes it’s a struggle. But like you said, Amber, it can be so rewarding to find the write words to describe that well-chosen detail.

By: annastan

annastan — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:46:36 +0000

I’ve certainly felt that fear of badly describing landscape. When description works it can be so amazing. But if it’s off, it can just fall flat. I guess that’s one of the reasons why really getting to know the world you’re writing about is so important, because it can help you convey the setting in a way that feels believable.

By: PJ Hoover

PJ Hoover — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:25:52 +0000

it’s so true I’m sometimes afraid to describe because I’m afraid to do it badly. But now I at least think about my descriptions and those I read when I’m critiquing.

By: Amber Lough

Amber Lough — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:17:08 +0000

This is actually one of my favorite parts of writing. I love picking out a detail, the shape of a leaf, or the smell of a cooking fire, to bring the reader (hopefully) into the story body-and-soul.