I took a deep breath and have done alot of serious editing and re-writing in the past few weeks. I'm pleased with my progress and some of what I've got is really good (she says modestly) but sadly that is a very small part of the overall wip...
I like dialogue. And lots of apparently. Certain parts of dialogue are fun, snappy and very relevant but other bits are not so it has pained me to chop them. I'm getting more ruthless in asking myself what a scene or sentence etc. adds and often find that its superfluous, however, it's still hard to get rid of parts that were fun/satisfying to read. On the upside I'm feel pleased with myself that my critical eye has improved and I'm being a bit less precious about my writing.
Another thing that has cropped up in the past few weeks is how my work is totally lacking in description. I'm halfway there in having identified this but there's still a long way to go - when I read my descriptive prose I wince at how clumpy and naff it seems.
Anyone got any tips about description?!
I like dialogue. And lots of apparently. Certain parts of dialogue are fun, snappy and very relevant but other bits are not so it has pained me to chop them. I'm getting more ruthless in asking myself what a scene or sentence etc. adds and often find that its superfluous, however, it's still hard to get rid of parts that were fun/satisfying to read. On the upside I'm feel pleased with myself that my critical eye has improved and I'm being a bit less precious about my writing.
Another thing that has cropped up in the past few weeks is how my work is totally lacking in description. I'm halfway there in having identified this but there's still a long way to go - when I read my descriptive prose I wince at how clumpy and naff it seems.
Anyone got any tips about description?!
8 comments:
I've got exactly the same problem I'm afraid! In fact, one of the tweaks Ms Agent asked me to make was to increase the description of the various settings in my novel! If you find an answer to your question do please let me know!
Similar problem here. When I read back through my wip today I realised I thought I had been descriptive but actually, because the scenes and settings are clear in my head, I'd forgotten to actually write any down for the reader.
Getting someone else to read is always a help.
Also pick a scene and think which is the most important sense in that scene. For instance in a beach scene I'd completely ignored not only what it looked like but the taste and the smells too.
Difficult this writing lark innit:-)
Lane - I've got the exact same problem as you! It's all clear the Devine world. Why can't those pesky (beta) readers be able to read my mind?!
Will have to do a bit of homework on the old description front and will report back. Think there is a book on Description that one of the Novel Racers recommended a while back.
Hi, CC
Came here via Lane's.
I have the opposite problem, I usually put too much description in!
Lane mentioned tastes and smells, I think they're often a great way of adding description without seeming to. If a character stops to smell the honeysuckle or roses around the cottage's front door ...
or savours the blackberries she's just picked from the highest spot on the bush...
Hopefully, a picture appears in the reader's mind?
Great tips - thanks Pat. Nice to 'meet' you. Will drop by your blog soon.
CC
loving Pat's tips, hoping I can pinch that too.
good luck x
I would love to help, but have the same problem and visualize something in my mind but forget to write it down so that the reader can see it too.
Hi DK and Debs,
Pinch away! I've had a very productive and satisfying weekend thanks to Lane and Pat's tips. Am now on a roll!
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