Comments on: WIP Wednesday

By: annastan

annastan — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:48:22 +0000

Thanks, Karen! I think I am figuring it out – it’s just a slow and slightly painful process.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:14:39 +0000

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!

By: annastan

annastan — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:55:56 +0000

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!

By: Pat/Tricia O'Brien

Pat/Tricia O'Brien — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:41:29 +0000

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.

By: annastan

annastan — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:47:31 +0000

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.

By: MG Higgins

MG Higgins — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:43:05 +0000

I hope you don’t mind, but I just linked to your post from my blog.

By: Andrea Vlahakis

Andrea Vlahakis — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:44:11 +0000

I’m in the same camp—writing description is so hard for me. I think I’m a frustrated playwright…

By: annastan

annastan — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:18:43 +0000

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!

By: MG Higgins

MG Higgins — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:15:28 +0000

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.

By: annastan

annastan — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:15:12 +0000

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.