Writing great descriptions
Some constant feedback I've been getting on my work is that I'm really good at writing descriptions of places and characters. So, I thought I'd share how I describe things in my writing:
1. Use the 5 senses
This may seem pretty obvious. It's advice that you'll probably hear a lot.
However, very few writers actually implement it.
Yes, sight is very important in fiction, because it helps your reader visualize the setting and characters. But your descriptions will feel bland if that is all you use.
But I also wouldn't recommend using all 5 senses in one description.
Pick those that would stand out. Unless your character can't see, sight will most likely be one of the senses you choose. Then, think about whether there would be a specific sound that the character would pick up on. Maybe there's a particular smell. Then focus on those.
Maybe your character is seeing the gold of silk bedsheets whilst feeling its smoothness and smelling cologne.
Maybe they're tasting chemicals in the air and smelling smoke etc.
Choose 2/3 senses and hone in on those.
2. Live through your character
This step goes for any form of narration that is close to your character - First person, third person deep, third person subjective, stream of consciousness etc.
Where a description is written through the character's eyes, you need to convey the place/character in the way they would.
Is your character very attracted to eyes? Then they'd spend more time describing another character's eyes. Has your character never smelled cow dung? Then that may be something they notice aptly about their setting. Is your character vain? Do they have any interests that might inform their view of the world?
An artist will notice different things than a builder. A writer might imagine the event/character as a scene - noticing the poetic aspects of something. A professional athlete might notice someone's physical aptness for a particular sport. A chef will describe a taste experience differently than a hungry sailor etc.
Make sure to use your character's senses.
3. Bring in emotion/association
Often, places/people are poignantly described through linking them to another experience/thing or by focusing on the emotion they evoke.
Does the setting evoke wonder, disgust or fear? Does it look like a haunted house or a fairytale castle?
Does a character radiate kindness or intimidation. Do they make your POV character think of lazy days or a roller-coaster?
How can you describe the place/person on a deeper level than with the 5 senses?
Even better if you can incorporate tip 2 and make the emotion/association specific to the POV character's perspective.
4. Use the right words
This tip has a few aspects to it.
Firstly, it's important to orientate your reader through description. Otherwise, you might end up with talking/floating head syndrome. BUT, it's crucial not to overdo the descriptions in your work. Long, purply descriptions lose readers' attention. So, you need to convey what is necessary to immerse they reader in as few words as possible.
This requires using precise adjectives and adverbs. Don't string together long sentences of descriptors if two better words could convey the same thing. As long as you don't end up sounding like a dictionary, a thesaurus is your friend. Look for the word that is specific to your intention and use only that.
Secondly, it's important to consider the connotations of a word/the mood a word created. If you're describing a fairytale castle, the word "gross" is probably less appropriate than "grand" even though they can literally be used for the same thing.
Think of the mood you want to convey. How do you want the reader to experience this place/character. And use words that will reinforce that mood.
"Magic" and "sorcery" have different connotations. As do "secret" and "clandestine".
Good descriptions use the right words.
This is also something you can improve on/fix during editing. So, you don't necessarily have to get caught up on finding the perfect word whilst drafting.
5. Only describe what is necessary
Some things are universal. People have eyebrows. Toiletpapier looks like toiletpapier. A door is a door.
So, unless there's something note-worthy about an everyday object, it really isn't necessary to describe it.
You can just say: she opened the window. You don't have to describe the pane, the reflection of sunlight on the glass etc. Unless it's stained glass or a three-story Victorian bay window or something like that.
Sometimes, it's fitting to describe something others would have experienced, but that is in limited circumstances. If you're writing a love scene, maybe it's worth it to describe the feeling of bedsheets against the character's bare back etc.
A good rule is not to describe anything your character isn't experiencing or wouldn't notice. Don't go into detail explaining the way a wind-chime sounds if there isn't even a breeze. Don't describe a kitchen floor if it isn't something the character wouldn't have commented on.
Unless you have a very good reason.
So, those are my tips on writing great descriptions. I hope that this can be useful. If you would like me to post some examples from my latest novel, please let me know.
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