Samhain Publishing Ltd Weblog

Descriptions - When Is It Too Much?

I’m sure someone has talked about this before … or maybe I have. So many blogs — so little time. Still, everyone has their own perspective and I’m going to share mine.

Some people are really big on description. Some like to write bare to the bone. Time and again I hear from other writers that editors prefer less description, more action. Keep the story moving … faster … more action … don’t slow the pace. As a reader, I find this lacking. I need lulls in the story to allow me to catch my breath and regroup for the next action scene. Give me a rich enough description where I can smell the coffee, feel the warmth of the sun on my face, hear the whisper of the wind on a cold winter evening.

In other words, I need the visual. When I write, I visualize the scene in my head. From there I’m able to make my worlds come to life. Sometimes I go overboard … which my crit partners are quick to point out, but mostly I think I manage to keep it within reason. I have to be able to see the scene in my head in order to enjoy it. However, I’m not a fan of page after page of droning description. That would get boring even for me. There has to be a balance.

A lot of writers need to outline, create whole character charts, background — you name it. I can’t write that way. I mull over an idea. If it has legs, it lingers in my mind for a long time. That’s when I know that I have a viable idea. From there, I build on it, visualize the surroundings, imagine situations and scenes that my characters would find themselves. Its only after I have a clear picture in my head that I’m able to begin a book.

Many writers cannot write that way, but it seems to work best for me. I guess its another example of the old adage — there is no wrong way to write a book.

How ‘bout you? Which method do you prefer? Copious notes until you know your character inside and out? Or painting a picture of them in your head?