I believe in descriptive writing as long as it's not overdone. A description should slide into the story without effort. It should not irritate the reader and force him to skip a few lines or more.
Recently
I read or tried to read a book written by someone who loved descriptions but
there were so many the story’s plots were almost forgotten by me, the reader. I
gave up half way through and gave the book away. Interestingly, the person who took it off my hands came to the same conclusion. She too gave up half way through.
It is my
belief that descriptive writing should blend with the story or, as my tutor put it, paint a picture but avoid unnecessary images.
I am
now reading a book written by Lee Child who is an expert in descriptions. His
work is full of them and I read every word. Why is it that some authors can
describe something in a way that compels the reader to carry on reading, whilst
others bore us to death with metaphors that litter the tale? I think what Lee
does is to keep his images short so that the reader barely notices. Lee
Child can make a grain of sand sound interesting, a talent I wish I and others
had. Even if he extended the length of his metaphors and similes the readers
would carry on reading because they would be so wrapped up in the story they
wouldn’t even notice. I wish I possessed such an art.
My mother was a big fan of Lee Child.
ReplyDeleteI don't read fiction, I find descriptive writing a bit of a bore to be honest. But that's just me.
You are so correct, it is a real skill, much like a musician who can make it beautiful while keeping it simple.
ReplyDeleteJoe, do you read non-fiction? I couldn't live without some sort of fiction, I guess that's why I write it.
ReplyDeleteJoeh, it's a skill I am still learning, even now, after all these years of writing and composing.
ReplyDeleteI don't use descriptive words much at all, just the same old boring words over and over. Maybe it's b/c I just write about my life. I should try to write a post some day with many descriptive words and see how long it takes to drive me and my readers crazy!
ReplyDeleteKden, descriptive words are less important for blogging but are essential when writing a story. The problem is getting the quantity and quality right. Why not have a go?
ReplyDelete" A description should slide into the story without effort. It should not irritate the reader and force him to skip a few lines or more. "
ReplyDeleteOMG Valerie, I sooooooooooooo agree with you! I used to blog with someone who did this and it DROVE me insane to read his post. It took him FOUR hours to describe something simple, which should have taken a few seconds. What really drove me insane was how it would describe every. single. thing. that happened in an experience instead of just describing the most important points and then moving on. Needless to say, I was so happy when he stopped blogging - HA!
Whenever I write a post before posting, I will usually read it over and over, cutting and cutting out words that don't need to be there. I enjoy reading posts (or books) that simply get to the point.
" Even if he extended the length of his metaphors and similes the readers would carry on reading because they would be so wrapped up in the story they wouldn’t even notice. I wish I possessed such an art."
You DO possess that art because your stories are always very interesting and perfectly described without any extra flourish.
X to you and Charlie
Ron, there's nothing worse than finding faults in someone's writing. It completely ruins the story.. or in my case it puts me off even trying.
ReplyDelete