Comments on: Description—The Good the Bad and the Just Please STOP https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/ Author, Blogger, Social Media Jedi Sun, 14 Apr 2019 05:40:18 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.8 By: robintvale https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/#comment-109367 Sun, 14 Apr 2019 05:40:18 +0000 https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=20014#comment-109367 Even though it’s a fantasy I like going light on description when I can especially when the kettle really starts steaming and all the characters are scrambling to save each other’s butts. (I’m revising in a favorite chapter right now. It sucks having to analyze it and decide if it should be there. Boo!) Anyway, by going light I can save it for when it really matters. I mean, the main pov has to notice it so it’s going to matter otherwise why is it there? that’s what you’re saying, ya?

]]> By: Lorel Clayton https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/#comment-74967 Mon, 01 May 2017 16:28:31 +0000 https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=20014#comment-74967 In reply to kdrose1.

Love “getting to the marrow” but my first pass is often a sketch. My edits take some time as I agonize over a better, more succinct, powerful description. I pepper them around for spice. It try not to make the whole too rich.

]]> By: Writing your first novel-Some things you should know https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/#comment-68437 Fri, 14 Oct 2016 12:28:45 +0000 https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=20014#comment-68437 Great Blog! I have just finished the first draft of my novel and am preparing to go back through and ice the cake. At least that’s what I call it. I have a great foundation but it needs a good dose of description. I am a minimalist. I’m also a skipper/skimmer. With that being said, I have had quite a few critique partners point out that I am a little sparse on the descriptives and need to help my readers picture things in their head.

]]> By: Author Kristen Lamb https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/#comment-68436 Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:32:39 +0000 https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=20014#comment-68436 In reply to Dawn Ross.

I don’t know of any How Tos off hand. I just recommend studying authors you like. Highlight it and break it down and then try to employ similar tactics. And yes Odin is an Egyptian MAU! MAU! MAU! He is very loud and very talkative, LOL.

]]> By: Dawn Ross https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/#comment-68435 Tue, 23 Aug 2016 14:30:04 +0000 https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=20014#comment-68435 Very helpful post. I think I have a difficult time with descriptions. They tend to be brief and bland. Do you recommend any how-to books or practices I can do to improve my descriptions?

Regarding Odin, he is ridiculously handsome. I love his silver coloring. 🙂 Is he an Egyptian Mau?

]]> By: Author Kristen Lamb https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/#comment-68434 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 00:38:21 +0000 https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=20014#comment-68434 In reply to R.C. Thompson.

Works for blogging too. Sighs.

]]> By: R.C. Thompson https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/#comment-68433 Sat, 20 Aug 2016 19:54:14 +0000 https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=20014#comment-68433 Good Post. A couple of guidelines I found helpful: Description should be concise ( less words are better), clear to the reader, use descriptive words infused with appropriate emotions that move or flavor the story, and be direct. Avoid passive language and restatement. If you show, don’t tell as well. An editor once said to me, “Whatever you say in 1000 words can be said better with 600.” Every word counts, so use double duty words when possible. Trust the reader to fill in the blanks. Don’t describe mundane things unless there is a planned reason to do so. Read and embrace Shrunk and White’s book The Elements of Style.

]]> By: How to Grow Your Author Blog | Kristen Lamb's Blog https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/#comment-68432 Fri, 19 Aug 2016 16:46:15 +0000 https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=20014#comment-68432 […] they scan them. Yes, my blogs go longer because often I also give examples (I.e. the post about great description). But, because I use bullet points, those who simply want to scan can gain plenty (and the examples […]

]]> By: Kathy https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/#comment-68431 Fri, 19 Aug 2016 12:38:04 +0000 https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=20014#comment-68431 Thank you! This was very helpful. I love the sky raisins description!

]]> By: Bun Karyudo https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/description-the-good-the-bad-and-the-just-please-stop/#comment-68430 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 08:49:20 +0000 https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=20014#comment-68430 I found this very interesting, particularly with the examples you provided. In my very few attempts at writing fiction, I always got caught up in trying to describe everything in the room — the color of the drapes, the history of the furniture, a full forensic analysis of every piece of dust on the baseboard. I never seemed to get to the part of the story where my protagonists actually did anything.

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