Understanding description
Description is a brilliant tool that can transform a few words on a page into a vibrant, breathing universe, alive with people, places, and panoramas. Description is the magic that turns your protagonist from a mere concept into a living, breathing, freckle-faced individual that your readers can cheer on, empathise with, or occasionally want to strangle.
The value of visualisation
Why is description important? Simply put, descriptions create a concrete image for your readers to hold on to. They’re the mind’s paintbrush, colouring in the landscapes and cityscapes, bringing characters to life, and occasionally manifesting a monster or two (if that’s your thing). A story without descriptions is like a movie with the visuals turned off. Sure, you can follow along, but where’s the fun in that?
All in the details
‘Show, don’t tell’ – the most oft-repeated phrase you’ll hear in any writing class or workshop. But how does one ‘show’ a sunset without just saying, ‘There was a sunset’? That’s where the detail comes in. ‘The sky was ablaze with streaks of crimson and gold, the fading sun casting long shadows over the landscape’, now that’s a sunset worth writing home about.
Treading the tightrope – the balance of description
Getting your descriptions right is like walking a tightrope while juggling flaming torches – too little and your reader’s left squinting into the abyss; too much and you risk setting their patience on fire. Keep in mind, unless it’s central to the plot, we probably don’t need a line-by-line blueprint of your protagonist’s childhood home.
Tailor your tales – description by genre
Every genre comes with its own descriptive expectations. The noir detective novel and the high fantasy saga will require different descriptive approaches. One might paint in stark monochrome, the other in the wildest colours of your imagination. Your genre will inform your descriptive choices.
Contextual colouring
Remember, description is a tool to be used when and where it benefits the story. Mid-action sequence might not be the best time to delve into the intricate pattern of your protagonist’s lace-up boots unless it directly influences the action at hand. Descriptions should always serve the narrative, not distract from it.
A sensory palette
Finally, don’t forget to engage all five senses. Sight might be the go-to sense, but imagine how much more alive your story could be with the crunch of autumn leaves underfoot, the taste of sea salt on the air, or the comforting scent of old books.
Fine-tuning your descriptive prose
Delve deeper into descriptive writing techniques with these articles:
- Tips to avoid exposition
- Using poetry to improve your descriptive prose
- Tips to avoid "purple prose”
- How to use figurative language effectively
- Tips for describing clothing
- Tips for describing pain
- Tips for describing colour
- Tips for describing food
- Tips for making a place you've never been (or that doesn't exist) feel real
