By Sandra Nachlinger
We’ve all heard “God is in the
details,” and I believe that’s particularly true for writers. Descriptions are so much more interesting
when specifics are used, rather than broad general terms. For example:
We’ve all heard “God is in the
details,” and I believe that’s particularly true for writers. Descriptions are so much more interesting
when specifics are used, rather than broad general terms. For example:
BORING: His blue eyes were cold.
The description Joan Reeves writes in APRIL FOOL BRIDE says so much more.
Jake’s eyes had always
made her think of the deepest part of the ocean. They still reminded her of the
ocean. The one around Antarctica. No warmth or friendliness shone in their dark
blue depths.
HO-HUM: He propped his feet on her desk.
In TASTING TEXAS,
Kimmie Easley's description lets us know just how big Wren's feet are!
Wren took the smile as an invite as he slunk down in a chair across from her desk and propped his size fourteens up on a stack of invoices.
BLAH: Her hair was a mess.
Elly’s appearance in BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY isn't exactly what she wished it had been when Derek dropped by.
She wore not a smidgen of makeup, not even lipstick. She’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail and tied it with a shoelace hours before, and she knew it probably stuck out like a bouquet of thistles by now.
I hope you enjoyed the examples I’ve given here and will find
more details to enjoy in the next book you read (or write!)
Find these books on Amazon and from other booksellers:
APRIL FOOL BRIDE (All Brides Are Beautiful Book 1) by Joan Reeves
TASTING TEXAS (The Tasting Series Book 1) by Kimmie Easley
BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY by Sandra Nachlinger
Find these books on Amazon and from other booksellers:
APRIL FOOL BRIDE (All Brides Are Beautiful Book 1) by Joan Reeves
TASTING TEXAS (The Tasting Series Book 1) by Kimmie Easley
BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY by Sandra Nachlinger
Very interesting post! Since I am a reader, I did not realize what a description can do. I just know I like to read some authors better than others. Now I know why!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the post, Karren. Until I started writing, I didn't realize how much craft that went into the art of writing. Good description is just one element in creating a compelling story.
DeleteLovely post well written, Sandra. Great examples.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Caroline.
DeleteGreat examples, Sandy. Carefully used description adds color, over used and the reader moves on to another author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Cynthia. I agree. I tend to skim over extra-long passages of description.
DeleteInteresting examples of how to add depth to a sentence :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for leaving a comment.
DeleteWonderful post! Thanks so much. I shared it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the post.
DeleteSandra, I'm flattered that you included a bit of description from April Fool Bride. enjoyed the other examples. Writing description can be so much fun, can't it?
ReplyDelete