I am currently writing a novel, and I was wondering about descriptive writing. I'd like to paint a picture in my readers' minds, but I believe that I need a few tips or techniques to improve and be successful in my goal. So, anyone got anything to share about descriptive writing?
Oct '17
Oct '17
I'm not much of a writer, but you could always go back to middle school literary devices!
You know,
personification,
metaphors,
symbols
all that good stuff..
Hmm.. You're right on that one! I forgot about those things. 
(Btw you're an amazing artist, I love your style!)
Here's a trick I use: Put it in your own words.
Say, for example, you see a painted bag.
Without you, readers would only see that: a painted bag.
With you, readers can see a painted bag colored with a shade of vibrant blue and swathes of grey interspersed between, creating a magnificent patchwork of color.
Picture it in your head, then describe it in such a fashion that readers wouldn't feel bored. Think like Gaiman.
Using a variety of words can help, you don't have to use a hundred words to paint a scene though, sometimes 3 words can do it, also try describe the emotions that the scene evokes rather than the scene itself; use a thesaurus it's a great help and then also remember just because a certain word has a similar meaning doesn't mean it'll fit the mood. Words don't always describe just a 'subject' but emotions and personality as well.
For Example:
Mother - sounds formal, rich, educated
Mom - natural, familiar, dedicated
Mama - childish, innocent, kind, gentle
All 3 words above same meaning but deferent feel to each of them!
Writing about an ocean view could sound like this:
"Standing on the wet sand, the waves lull me in their lullaby as they roll in, the salty-sweet breeze easing away my worries as it sings around be in whispered tones..."
Writing figuratively instead of physically and literally can help a lot with setting a mood or painting the scene.
Descriptive writing can be hard, but I feel it's important to imagine yourself in the scene you're trying to write.
Often my readers will say I'm too descriptive, but that's because I like to capture every one of the fives senses.
Think of touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing. Just doing that will enhance your writing.
The way I say it is try describing an anime fight to your friends without saying just see it. Try doing that and you'll get a hang on it in no time.
I forgot where I read it, but use as little words as possible and let the reader's imagination take over.
Let me explain
Before the age of moving pictures people don't get to see sights like waterfalls or snow-capped mountains. So writers tend to get very verbose in describing them.
Now, in the age of content overdose, all you need to do is say "waterfall" and the mental image automatically fills the reader's mind. Its more economical to save the words on the story itself.
...I hope I answered your question..
Navi.Hog's got the right idea for the most part. Purple prose isn't really necessary to paint a vivid picture. I'll also add that HemingwayApp.com is a great way to see if you're being too verbose.
"Now in the age of content overdose all you need to do is say 'waterfall' and the mental image automatically fills the reader's mind. It's more economical to save the words on the story itself."
While I agree with the idea that purple prose doesn't really help, I think certain types of stories do warrant a higher level of description than just plain language on its own. It's the kind of thing that is somewhat dependent on intent and audience.
Plus the kind of people who read books regularly aren't necessarily going to be put off by more verbose descriptions.
Even then though it can be boring if all you do is "waterfall" and let the reader's imagination takeover just because of the idea - oh movies they've told people lots about waterfalls!
But instead describing it with slight words it can be interesting and can grab a readers attention! Remember not everyone that watches movies likes the books the movies are based off of and vise-versa!
So describing a waterfall:
The waterfall was just a ways further into the forest... - that sounds boring! All we get is that they are going towards a waterfall, we don't know the climate, we have no sense of "adventure" either even though the character(s) clearly out and about!
But...
We were already deep in the forest, swallowed by the humidity when the roaring sounds of the waterfall told us we were close... - that allows the ready to try and feel what the characters might feel, it can drive them to wonder why are the characters heading towards a waterfall???
So going with "economical" isn't always the better option out! But getting to descriptive... Not even books from years before the 1st films were cryptic in details, they used the very same senses we do today, by using emotion before visuals - because connections with the characters establishes a greater understanding of the world they live in.
You are using many "water" examples in your post lol.
You are helping me thinking of ways to improve my story =)
Well what can I say... I love water so it's the first thing I think about, and being a diver who hates surfacing; after an hour's dive the world above just never pleases me with as much wonder and peace as the ocean's floor!
It's always good to be passionate about what you love. I still appreciate the feedback you left on my story. I'm hoping to improve the story ten folds with my rewrite^^
Thanks again for taking the time to beta read for me. Despite popular belief, I'm always trying to improve my craft.
That's great! I'm glad could inspire you! Hope to see the re-write really soon and see what wonders you pulled off 
Improving is something that never ends! So long you remember perfection also doesn't exist! As the saying goes - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - you can't please everyone but you can work towards something greater!
Possibly because my preference leans towards light novels more. I like the tempo of two sentence descriptives.
As an example:
A roar.
The splashes of a waterfall.
John visibly grew worried.
The speeding raft he is on only fed his growing panic.
He gripped tighter.
He may well have jumped off.
The chances were just as optimistic.
So I think more context would be necessary for a verbose vs brief decision. Less is more, but depends on the context.
I'm on the fence of this view. Probably because I'm one of those who have been spoilt by moving pictures. In fact, the only book I ever picked up after a long while was Terry practchett. For some reason his satire could keep me focused.
Quick sentences as such are great if already established the connection with the environment or the situation "John" has found himself in which would already be when just before this scene...
Darn-it!!! I just got more ideas in my head now!
I so want to use what I wrote and together with what you did just now...
Even in light novels though there's more connection between words than short 5 word sentences, no matter the form a story takes every detail from future scenes are build in past chapters so if you couldn't establish that imagery in a readers thoughts before getting to these short sentences, it would just feel like "plotlines" or ideas rather than something your supposed to read in a novel.
So if to stick with what you did in short sentences it would look more like this if it was the start of the novel - before anything has been established yet..
The roar! The groans of the waterfall.
John grew worried, the speeding raft only fueled his growing panic!
He gripped tighter; he may well jump off!
Either way, the chances were just as optimistic...
But that's just prove more on the various styles of writing so really I'm not proving myself right nor you wrong only enforcing different means to the same end and that is story-building.
