tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post5082609159767367765..comments2024-03-27T10:02:56.747-04:00Comments on Fiction University: The Literary Tour Guide: How Much Do You Need to Describe Your Setting?Janice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-80730866821583349942016-03-04T09:02:30.022-05:002016-03-04T09:02:30.022-05:00You can subscribe I think. But I totally understan...You can subscribe I think. But I totally understand not being able to get to comments right away :) Happens to me all the time. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-23280255860810648962016-02-10T09:16:05.448-05:002016-02-10T09:16:05.448-05:00Hey! Descriptions and weather can mix :D
"H...Hey! Descriptions and weather can mix :D<br /><br />"He held his head up, far past the hill a man riding a horse plowed through the snow with several others behind him." <br /><br />(They are in a valley, I mentioned that a few paragraphs before.) Short and sweet. Hopefully not too short. Oh well, this first draft of this new chapter.<br /><br />I really need to remember to come in and check for replys sooner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-85792288005184033842016-01-19T18:23:40.860-05:002016-01-19T18:23:40.860-05:00I aim for just what's important to the main po...I aim for just what's important to the main pov at that time. It seems to work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-27168566524448936082015-09-30T10:33:38.584-04:002015-09-30T10:33:38.584-04:00Thank you! Very helpful. Thank you! Very helpful. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-52106297128971040872015-09-16T09:07:58.719-04:002015-09-16T09:07:58.719-04:00Glad it helped. I'm the same way with descript...Glad it helped. I'm the same way with description. I do tend to skim if it's just random details. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-49343185793860747922015-09-16T00:19:11.335-04:002015-09-16T00:19:11.335-04:00Thank you this has made things much clearer now. I...Thank you this has made things much clearer now. I like descriptions to a point, but can't stand it when it's pointless or is distanced from the main pov. blea.I don't like it when they don't have anything to to with the plot/characters. Descriptions of say a castles hallways, and doors bore me to tearsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-25508787701193207722013-12-10T06:38:49.530-05:002013-12-10T06:38:49.530-05:00I like that--the specific words to set the scene. ...I like that--the specific words to set the scene. A great way to use details without bogging the story down. They bring up images a general detail wouldn't. <br /><br />If I didn't have a crit partner who whacked me with the description stick, I'd barely have any. It's good to have one of those when description is not your thing (grin)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-44933615198437743032013-12-09T21:22:46.755-05:002013-12-09T21:22:46.755-05:00I'm an under-describer. For some reason -- ma...I'm an under-describer. For some reason -- maybe out of habit -- this is the hardest thing for me to do. I have to research a setting in advance so I have the details to draw on. I get things like names of common trees, plants, and animals. I'm doing a story in central California, so it's things like giant kelp, cudweed, and sea gulls. I also look for place names that would help set the location. After that, I have the setting somewhere in the opening of the scene and then add more pieces throughout (if I don't make the effort, I will completely ignore it).Linda Maye Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07203020058437093901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-84863336488534840042012-12-06T07:31:57.203-05:002012-12-06T07:31:57.203-05:00Elizabeth, lol, I write them just for you :)Elizabeth, lol, I write them just for you :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-86733166075214154362012-12-05T15:53:16.834-05:002012-12-05T15:53:16.834-05:00You KNOW I needed to read this! THANK YOU!!! :) eYou KNOW I needed to read this! THANK YOU!!! :) eElizabeth O Dulembahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255495706124193452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-90449784269377685482012-11-26T10:37:37.837-05:002012-11-26T10:37:37.837-05:00Tracy, thanks, glad you liked it. I always enjoy p...Tracy, thanks, glad you liked it. I always enjoy pulling the older ones out. They deserve some time in the light :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-72195757880286625762012-11-22T18:34:20.585-05:002012-11-22T18:34:20.585-05:00Hi Janice,
Another awesome post to follow-up the c...Hi Janice,<br />Another awesome post to follow-up the character post!<br />TracyTracy Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11829493307148654507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-9400557233355365782012-11-21T08:02:13.727-05:002012-11-21T08:02:13.727-05:00Sounds like a process to me :) Whatever works, wor...Sounds like a process to me :) Whatever works, works.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-18796734961757984612012-11-20T21:13:26.008-05:002012-11-20T21:13:26.008-05:00I typically cut the big chunks down quite a lot; a...I typically cut the big chunks down quite a lot; a few details get moved elsewhere, but usually I just add new stuff to different scenes.Rachel6https://www.blogger.com/profile/15138745237488029817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-33457909218917332482012-11-20T08:56:26.104-05:002012-11-20T08:56:26.104-05:00Rachel, do you go back later and spread those desc...Rachel, do you go back later and spread those descriptions out over those pages or leave it in as is? Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-3039057126996868802012-11-20T08:02:11.928-05:002012-11-20T08:02:11.928-05:00I ignore descriptions for pages, and then cram eve...I ignore descriptions for pages, and then cram everything I can think of into two paragraphs. So...both?Rachel6https://www.blogger.com/profile/15138745237488029817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-28831384595922765482012-04-04T14:10:39.584-04:002012-04-04T14:10:39.584-04:00Crystal, if you're over describing to figure t...Crystal, if you're over describing to figure things out, it's not not bad. But if you're not getting anything useful out of it, it can indeed hurt your productivity.<br /><br />Christina, good tip. Reading out loud catches a lot of snags.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-76701061573315382052012-04-01T13:40:25.286-04:002012-04-01T13:40:25.286-04:00I would also suggest reading your writing out loud...I would also suggest reading your writing out loud. If you are out of breath, or bored, chances are you've gone overboard. Loved the advice. Thank you for posting. I'm editing my novella, "SUKI" right now, and am looking at exactly this. Did I paint a clear, but interesting picture for my reader in each of the scenes? This was shown to me at just the right time.CF Winnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14007781832326693877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-26383483549939329602012-03-27T08:05:47.855-04:002012-03-27T08:05:47.855-04:00This is good stuff. I'm an over describer whic...This is good stuff. I'm an over describer which means I end up going back and paring down many scenes. Not particularly productive. People like me get maximum benefit from your article. Thankshttp://crystalwhimsey.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-32933566979492219292012-03-24T20:35:54.918-04:002012-03-24T20:35:54.918-04:00This is really helpful, Janice! Thanks so much!!This is really helpful, Janice! Thanks so much!!patti.mallett_pphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453756965198648016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-81286845780658541752012-03-22T17:05:38.405-04:002012-03-22T17:05:38.405-04:00Natalie, I'm with you :) I'm always lookin...Natalie, I'm with you :) I'm always looking for ways to make this easier on myself. <br /><br />Tara, most welcome!<br /><br />Charity, sounds like you got some helpful advice there. I've found that less is more, cliches as that is. You can do more with a few very specific words than a page of generalities. <br /><br />R.E. Hunter, well can hope! Be nice to spare a fellow writer some of the bumps along the way.<br /><br />Carradee, on the upside, sounds like you have really good eye for detail :) You might make a good character actually. That's a trait I can see in a protagonist. <br /><br />BJ Kerry, most welcome. Dialog is what I almost always write first myself. Then I fill in the blanks. <br /><br />Khanada, I'm a skimmer too. Looking at the combination of dark vs light on a page really does give a decent sense of the balance in the text. Zooming out to show six or eight pages seems to work nicely for me.<br /><br />Jaleh, I'll give myself a paragraph to blurt it out and deal with later. Or I'll just write (describe) and move on :) Sometimes it's easier once I see finished scene. <br /><br />Traci, most welcome!Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-7731988985098926372012-03-22T11:25:48.951-04:002012-03-22T11:25:48.951-04:00This is fantastic info!! I always wonder if I'...This is fantastic info!! I always wonder if I'm doing too much, too little, this guide will help tremendously. Thanks!!Traci Kenworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07336373871521363649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-64671574493064040352012-03-22T09:35:54.559-04:002012-03-22T09:35:54.559-04:00I'm definitely an under-describer. When I make...I'm definitely an under-describer. When I make a specific effort to write description, it comes out in a thick clunky section. Though I suppose that's fine in a first draft. That clunky description is essentially an author note of brainstormed things I could work into my description-thin parts.Jaleh Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04942272578488986874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-14432932749346318892012-03-22T08:23:11.052-04:002012-03-22T08:23:11.052-04:00I'm a big-time under-describer. When I see des...I'm a big-time under-describer. When I see description in a book, I start to skim, and I think I'm worse now than when I was a kid! I've really had to force myself to slow down and read it to see how others do it.<br /><br />I really like the idea of looking for those big blocks of text - if I don't have them in the beginning of a new scene, I need to take a second look at that.Khanadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705064700657411259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-16141341090867793192012-03-22T06:39:42.756-04:002012-03-22T06:39:42.756-04:00I love writing dialogue - so the descriptions get ...I love writing dialogue - so the descriptions get neglected - thanks for sharing all this good advice.BJ Kerryhttp://kerry-mutterings.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com