As I mentioned in my tips for writing description, I’m a big believer of less is more. But it’s true that some stories require more description than others. If you’re writing about a world different than ours, for example, you want to paint that world for your readers so they can see it as clearly as your character does. At the same time, you don’t want to bog them down with insignificant details. It can be a tricky balancing act, one that feels a little bit like this:
That’s what I’ve been struggling with in my WIP. How do I convey the world without “stopping to describe”? I’ve gone through the manuscript several times, trying to get it right, and I’m going back to it today to work on it some more. The fact that it’s written in first person makes it even harder because all the descriptions need to be in the character’s voice, and we need to believe that he would bother telling us about them. For the first time in years, I miss writing plays – I could get away with using no description at all in those!
How are the rest of you doing with your WIPs? Any struggles or successes you’d like to share?
- Categories: Craft, WIP, Writing Rants
Great photo to illustrate your point, LOL!
I struggle with the same thing, especially in my PBs. I want the text to speak for itself, YET, I have to make sure I’m not doing the illustrator’s job, too. It’s a balancing act, for sure!
I understand. My wip is first person and set in a different time period and description is necessary. It’s been a constant tweaking again and again and again. With a lot of help from critters to point out where they needed more! Good luck!
I agree-this is hard. And I also like to give the reader room to imagine. Especially a fantasy world.
Donna, isn’t that elephant hilarious? I can see how this issue is even harder in PBs!
Laura, it seems like this issue is especially tricky in first person. Asking critters for help is a good idea. Once I’m done with this pass, I’ll get another pair of eyes to help me out.
Heather, I think fantasy is where I struggle with this the most. As you said, you want readers to be able to use their imaginations, but at the same time, you want things to be clear. It’s about finding that balance between pointing them in the right direction and actually leading them there.
I had to laugh. I miss writing screenplays for the same reason–no description! Just don’t do what I read in a novel recently. The 17 year old male MC described the pink azaleas climbing up the lattice on the side of his house. Do 17 year old boys really know an azalea from a daisy? Would he even notice the color? Even mentioning lattice seemed a little odd to me.
Why are we killing ourselves writing children’s books? Plays and scripts are SO much easier! (Um, or not…)
Thank you for the perfect example of what NOT to do. The description needs to set the scene, but it has to go along with the character’s voice too. Unless the protagonist is an amateur gardener, I suspect he’d have no idea what an azalea was!
I’m in the same camp—writing description is so hard for me. I think I’m a frustrated playwright…
I hope you don’t mind, but I just linked to your post from my blog.
Andrea, maybe we’re all playwrights deep-down. At least that means we’re good with dialogue, right?
MG, I don’t mind at all! In fact, I’m honored! I’ll pop over and check it out.
Hi. I popped over from MG Higgins site and enjoy your posts. That elephant is perfect! That’s how I feel trying to balance all the elements necessary to write a decent tale.
Tricia, thanks for stopping by! The moment I saw that poor elephant, I knew I had to post him. I think you’re right that it’s not just description that requires balance – it’s every darn part of writing! At least elephants have tails and trunks to help them balance. All we have are pens!
Description is a weak point for me. But I can see your struggle trying to convey to the reader the world the character lives in. But yes, 1st POV can be tricky, you want to reveal the world in an organic way.
I know that you will figure it out!
Thanks, Karen! I think I am figuring it out – it’s just a slow and slightly painful process.