Writing descriptions can be a nightmare for me at times. I read novels with wonderful sentences that light up my world with visions and colour. I flick back to my work and see an outline and grey. Dialogue is not a problem, I can get my characters to chat along quite happily, but when it comes to their surroundings, I lack in words. I can see the rooms, fields and clothing, but to start describing them often draws a blank.
I scour my mind for the poetic description required, but even though I am a poet, there is a nothingness of nothing. To overcome this, I tend to scour books or the Internet for the correct image, and semi-meditate over it,(go to sleep). I jot down words as they come to mind, anything at all. I then make myself write a few paragraphs using all those words, but they have to be dialogue free, and descriptive. It does not need to relate to the wip I am working on at the time. It is surprising how it releases the mind and whether it is a subconscious thing or not, but often I find the perfect description amongst the paragraphs I have scribble down.
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| The Haywain by John Constable |
Elle is visiting the site of the Haywain by John Constable, and I have table-mats with the picture imprinted. This was the area I used to live in, and have walked to many times. I took the children picnicking, we walked the dogs through field upon field, and mile upon mile. We rowed up the river and back again. We fished near the mill. All of this was carried out every year, several times a year, but do you think I can describe the old scene in the picture, or my memories?
I kept wondering why, when all those memories were still fresh in my mind, could I not put pen to paper and write about the scenes Elle could see before her. Then it dawned on me. I simply cannot do it justice. Such an widely known place did not deserve to be let down by my scribblings. How was I going to overcome the problem?
After several attempts I gave up. I wrote a different chapter and worked on something completely different. Then it came to me...describe a completely different scene. Find something I am not so close to and not so well known, and see if the inner fear of being criticised for not getting it right, would disappear.
I found a selection of various English countryside pictures and used the one that stood out for me the most. The project worked. Slowly I was able to lose the pressure I had put on myself to write the perfect scene and just write. So the saying, 'write what you know', does not always work for me. Sometimes I can block the knowledge through fear.
Has this ever happened to you? How did you overcome the fear?
27 Comments:
Interesting post, Glynis.
I consider location secondary and for that reason I don't try to "do them justice". I try, where i can , to describe them from the character's POV, but that entails finding a reason for his/her POV. That is an even bigger nightmare for me.
Oh yes, definitely. When it does, I just close my eyes and let myself 'see' the scene. I ask myself about what I feel, first of all: calm, anxious, etc... and then think about what's around me; the smells, the noises, what fills my senses and how that connects with my emotion.
'Me' being the character at the time! :)
Oh, whoops, wrong account. Ah well, you know who I am!
Sometimes in my reading, I'll come across a word or a phrase that triggers a scene I've already written. Afraid of plagiarism, I've found it's easy to infuse my own words and style. The scene takes on my personal interpretation. Now I've got an amazing word in my repertoire and a description written in my own style. Sometimes all it takes is just one fabulous word to trigger the whole description.
I love writing descriptions, but they tend to eat up writing time, because every word has to be well thought out. Kind of like poetry.
DW96,thanks and welcome. Usually I do not fuss too much about location, but this POV is an artist. I have to see things through her eyes and 'paint' what she sees.
Marsha, you are incognito! Stepping into the POV shoes really helps.
Elizabeth, oh that is so frustrating, and as you say worrisome when it comes to plagiarism. It is good when a 'rhythm' is found. I find writing poetry easier than writing description, so one would have thought I would cope, but not so.
Thank you all for visiting me and leaving great comments!
I can totally relate. I could write dialogue in my sleep (and I think I do sometimes!) but when it comes to fleshing out the characters' worlds I frequently strike a blank. I can see it all in my head, but trying to get it in the reader's head is a huge challenge. I find myself sitting at the computer with my eyes closed, trying to think about how the character in question would interpret their surroundings. The results are decidedly mixed!
Well, this is interesting. I seem to write description ok, and didn't realize it could be a big problem for some writers. Your technique is interesting.
Charlotte, isn't it frustrating? Hours can be spent just attempting to describe a tree!
Joan, I feel the same when someone says they find it hard to write dialogue. We all have our burdens to carry in writing. :)
Thanks for visiting me and leaving your supportive comments. x
Charlotte, isn't it frustrating? Hours can be spent just attempting to describe a tree!
Joan, I feel the same when someone says they find it hard to write dialogue. We all have our burdens to carry in writing. :)
Thanks for visiting me and leaving your supportive comments. x
Description is my weakest skill. I've kind of overcome it (partly) by carrying a notebook and writing word sketches of places, just for fun, not for any specific book. Then I plunder these for ideas when I need them. I've just been in a lovely old pub and done a few paragraphs on it that might find their way into my book...
Reb, nothing like a pub for inspiring ideas! It is amazing how many writers own up to having a weak connection to place descriptions. At least I no longer feel alone.:D
Thanks for dropping by today.x
If I'm having trouble describing a scene, I usually set it aside. Then I think about it, picture it in my mind, walk away from the computer. Sometimes, for me, the best way to envision it is to sleep on it.
How I do understand your dilemma! I guess I'm not too bad with describing places, atmospheres, times of day when it comes to fiction. Yet whenever I try to do justice to a real, existing place (or scene from my life), I've noticed I'm… well, not really afraid, but unable to find those words that sound right in my head, those sentences that express all I've stored in my memory. And you know what remedy I've found? I "fictionalize" reality. When I was writing about Greece, or Paris for that matter, I just made up certain details to give a livelier touch to my descriptions. I added events that didn't happen the exact day I was writing about. I mixed up personal memories with things my friends had told me about. And I told myself that I'd never really do reality justice anyway, so I'd better invent things that would make my descrptions work.
I guess that's just as good as you changing the location of your plot altogether. We shouldn't let ourselves be intimidated by real places (and have you noticed that it gets even more difficult when you have a real, emotional link with the place you want to write about? I did!). Reality is one thiing; we as writers shape our own realities, and that's a very good thing!
I'm pretty dreadful at description. I ignore as much as I'm able to get away with. Have you every read Betina Krahn? Wow, she takes description to new heights. "Luck be a Lady" is one of the best books I've ever read--period. Evocative, lush description, passion, sorrow, and so, so funny as well. I both read her work and study it. It's amazing.
Helen, stepping aside and letting it breathe is a good solution.
Dieter, I am sure it is because I worry that I have got it right for the local critics! The fact it is fiction, should make it easier, but as DH tells me, I put pressure on myself.
Thank you both for visiting me and joining in the comments. Your support is appreciated.
Gillian, if I can slip it into dialogue, I will! I have never read Betina Krahn, but will look out for her work. Thanks for the recommendation, your comment and support. x
Since my old danged black holed brain can't "see" images, I never know what my characters look like, or the rooms/landscapes I describe look like - I just write enough for the reader to fill in the rest . . . it seems to work. This is how I read, too - I can't see the characters/descriptions if I try to picture them, but I somehow know what I am reading.
WHich is why too much description bumps from from a story - because I can't process it properly. I like just a hint, or just a little description, and then fill in the rest in my own way.
:-D
Kathryn, we do have to let the readers fill in the blanks, which is just as well for me. I do need to add a little bit more in this wip because Elle is an artist, so want to share a little of what she sees.
I love the challenge and having to adapt to create.
Thanks for dropping by and leaving me a supportive comment. x
I can relate to your struggles with description, Glynis. This is my weakness! I'm about to go back to two screenplays I wrote a few years ago. You don't have to write lush descriptions for screenplays. Dialogue and action (just saying where they are and what they're doing) are king.
What you do with pictures, looking at them, pondering them is really intriguing. And now you have given me the idea.... (I think you have mentioned it before; now I need to copycat you!!)
I'm sending you an email about your kind offer to host/interview me to help me promote my novella Imprisoned that I self-published. Thanks SO much Glynis. You are a dear friend!
Ann Best, Memoir Author of In the Mirror & Imprisoned
Ann, so nice to read of another struggler. Copycat away!
I have emailed you, and look forward to showing you off on my blog. Thanks for visiting me today, I appreciate the support. x
I also have trouble fleshing out a story with description, whether it be about a place or a person. I am getting better at it, though. I am surprised to see that so many other people also have that problem, I thought I was in this boat by myself.
Janet, it is so good to feel you are not the only one, isn't it? Thanks for visiting me today.x
Hi Glynis .. our thoughts of an area an old time, onto paper are really a story anyway - we'll never get the thing right - the tree will be on that corner of the river, the river will have two bends .. and so on - I realise I 'muddle' things when I recall times on the blog or perhaps when I'm writing letters out - times and events get blurred - but the essentials are there ..
So going away is a good idea .. love your thoughts though and what a wonderful life you gave the kids - sounds like it's straight out of Wind in the Willows ..
Cheers and have a good weekend .. Hilary
Hilary, true enough our mind plays tricks upon us. My children were not sat in front of the TV, they were too busy gathering leaves to rub and make crayon drawings. The collected chestnuts in the woods while others played with the latest fad. Now my daughter is taking her daughter of six months to the seaside, the woods and so on. We had a good time as a family. Wind in the Willows, maybe because my son is now a world expert on frogs and toads!
Thank you so much for coming by, and enjoy your weekend. x
Place has really been an important aspect of my WIP, and I've tended to write about it from the character's point of view. I often wonder if I'm being overly descriptive.
I'm not great at describing settings either. I tend to work the descriptions into the action. It's just a matter of style. But I do admire those who can paint a vivid scene with words. Great post.
William, there can be a danger of being overly descriptive. I have read some books and skimmed through words that really were not needed. Getting the balance is not easy.
Kathi, how some folk can pull it off in such a swift, beautiful way. I am envious at times.
Thank you both for reading and commenting. Your support is appreciated.
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