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Love details, but not too much

Image credit: Writer's Digest

They were sitting in front of their screen, they had to describe their story, then their fingers let themselves flow through the keyboard, but the scene they wrote was not what they imagined.

Facing these situations can be daily, the problem is how to solve it. Each author has the ability to imagine situations so different from each other that no scenario will be the same.

When we develop a description of the place where our character is going through a situation, detailing some aspects can enrich or ruin the scene. Some authors write keywords in a list to try to convey what they imagined. Others have more initiative to describe the feelings that their character has and the things that surrounds them. But, if our character is in an extreme situation in which he has to save his life, trying to let our reader imagine it, can help you observe the scene in your head and create the tension that it deserve.

Some points to keep in mind are:

1) Detailing everything can be overwhelming:

The reader may or may not be tolerant with details that are unimportant, for example, the color of a wall or the way in which an object is placed. Although, if it is relevant for the story, it should be written.

2) Put more emphasis on one kind of description may be important:

Writing how our character feels more about something that happens to him can develop excessively dense. There is a tacit rule that mentions that, the description of feelings can not take more than two paragraphs. (But you never know!)

3) Describing everything monotonously can cause the reader to abandon reading:

When we are facing a scenario that our character previously visited, it is not necessary to describe the place again (or write the same thing). But, if there is a new detail, it can be written with the use of two or three simple sentences.

4) How to develop our characters:

If we want to differentiate one character from another, the use of a character card can help us a lot. In her the physical data of the character are detailed: age, color of hair and eyes, stature, physical complexion, if it has some disease, etc. They should also include biographical information: where he was born, family (for example the number of siblings or if he has children), studies, work, hobbies, etc.

5) The same can happen with places:

If our forest is dark and scary, we can add words that reinforce it. For example: A description can be made, in a detailed and orderly way, of how the leaves move with the wind or the sounds that develop at night.

6) We can implement other talents:

Draw or put together a sketch of how our places will be before writing it. This can help our mind to imagine new objects, or simply, to be able to in another perspective what we imagine.

7) Take advantage of the moments of the plot:

Do not fill your story with long and tedious descriptions. There are times that what a character thinks has new information to give us.

8) Be as free as possible:

There are no limits in terms of spaces. You can make your whole story go by without gravity or it rains throughout the sequence. The ability that sometimes has the mind can lead us to write the most crazy and unexpected ideas.

9) Do not despair:

If your number one attempt is not as you thought, look for the failures that generate concern and reformulate them for your taste. It never hurts to write and rewrite descriptions.

10) You have to know when you are original:

Do not pay so much attention to what others have already invented. It can serve as inspiration, but always the idea that comes out of your mind will be unique. (And what if the flying cars were created, your cars can do other crazy things!)

11) Have fun and have a great time:

If you do not enjoy what you are imagining try something else. Erase and write constantly can accelerate your mind in imaginable ways.

12) Recognize your strengths:

If you are good at describing the characters, put the focus there even if you do not overdo it.

13) Read, read and read:

Reading to others can help us. Mark descriptions of others, highlighting what caught your attention gives you the foot to think yours. (And if they are strong scenes, much better!

14) It's your story, imagine it:

It is your work, your effort and your dedication. (Learn to appreciate it!)

By: Milagros Borro

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