Have you ever read a book where the author just says something and you can almost feel what just happened? If you're a reader, most likely you'll say yes. How can you accomplish this in your own story? Description.
Description is one of the most enjoyable aspects of writing to me. I know that some people despise it because it involves stringing together words in an almost poetic manner, but I love it.
Description provides the reader with the sights, sounds, textures, and even, if you've done a good job, the smells in your story. You not only want them to see that fire crackling in the hearth, you want them to feel it. What does the rotten meat smell like? What does the steaming stew taste like?
All if this adds reality to your story. Also, it places the reader in the scene, just as if he or she is experiencing the same things as your characters.
However, description does not reach its full capacity by simply stating the facts. Consider the following statements:
The mountains were tall. The grass swayed.
While this might pass as description, it doesn't accomplish quite what it could. Compare it to these statements:
The moutains loomed ahead of us, piercing the clouds, their peaks crowned in snow-white caps. All beneath seemed to pay tribute to them, for even the grass bowed their heads as the wind flowed over them.
This not only tells us all the information we need to know, but lends a mood to the sentences. Although it is never stated outright, we see and feel that the mountains are fearsome.
One rule that applies to every aspect of writing: do NOT be redundant! I have noticed that when I read a book and the author repeats a word that is too conspicuous, I will remember it. Even if it was one hundred pages ago. It's an easy trap to fall into, so be on your guard.
Want to know the secret to writing great description? Learn how to use poetic devices. Alliteration, similes, metaphors, and personification are especially useful tools.
Alliteration occurs when two words start with the same sound (and, although there are exceptions, usually the same word). For example:
Colorful smoke snaked to the ceiling in slow spirals.
Not only does this accomplish the point, but the reader loves the sound of it. If you're experienced enough, you can manipulate the alliteration to do many subtle things, such as reinforce a particular characteristic, or point to someone who is in the scene (in this scene, there is a serpent, and the harsh-sounding s's make a hissing sound).
Similes give a comparison of two things using the words like or as. It is perhaps the most prominent kind of comparison. Here is an example of a simile used in description:
Like a tall tree, she stood rooted to the ground.
Metaphors, like similes, are a comparison of two things. However, a metaphor drops the usage of like or as. These are quite harder to give an example for (how many metaphors can you think of?) but this is my best:
Her eyes were clouds of gray as they penetrated into my soul.
Personification is when a lifeless object is labeled with a life-like quality. This is useful when trying to reveal a mood or feeling critical to that scene. For example:
The gorgeous golden sun glared down at the weary travelers.
This tells tus hat the weather is hot. It also leaves us with the impression that the travelers are a bit oppressed.
Once you have learned to master description, you will be able to do more tricks with it. For now, however, it is best if you just master the bascis of this intricate side of writing. Look up more poetic sound devices, and learn how to apply them to your story. Later, we will really delve into the techniques that will thrill your readers and help to leave them awed and breathless. But that all starts with the basics. Practice them now, and your writing will reach the closest to perfection that it can later.
What mysteries lie in using dialogue? That's next!
No comments:
Post a Comment