If you are reading this, you are probably an aspiring writer, struggling to think up detailed descriptions of your settings, racking your brains, writing and rewriting a descriptive passage, but are still dissatisfied with the result. Fear not, for in this article, I have included eight tips that may help you in this endeavor, but first, here is a bit about why you should care about detailed descriptions.
When writing fiction, authors create characters and settings through descriptive writing. This gives a story more depth and credibility by allowing readers to imagine the physical world and characters a writer has created.
A literary work of superior quality will keep readers hooked on the setting you have created. However, scenes that are not described properly can make it difficult for readers to follow along with everything happening. Make your setting feel real and give readers something to relate to. Add depth and expressive details, use figurative language, sensory details, and synesthesia. Descriptive writing is an indispensable part of storytelling that every author should learn.
1. Use your imagination
When you think about your story, what are the first things that come to mind? What do your characters look like? (their physiognomy and fashion choices) Where do they live? (it could be a real place or an imaginary one) What does their home look like? (architectural style, size, furnishings, etc.…) If you can visualize these things in your mind, describing them will be much easier.
If you can’t, researching cities or homes from different periods will come to aid. Character- wise, websites or applications for designing characters will help you describe them better. (In that regard, I used The Sims4 to create my characters.)
2. Show, don’t tell
Instead of stating facts outright, use actions, subtleties, and dialogue to convey them. Use subtext to interpret the deeper meanings behind your description. Be creative and concise. Let the reader fill in the blanks.
For example, instead of writing: “He was nervous,” you could try saying: “He was twiddling his thumbs and tapping his foot, unable to sit still. There was a tight feeling in the pit of his stomach he could not get rid of.”
3. Use strong verbs and adjectives.
Replace generic verbs with stronger, more specific ones for clarity and effect. Saying: “She tiptoed past the door,” has more impact than saying: “She walked quietly past the door.”
While verbs are a crucial part of writing descriptions, using vivid adjectives and adverbs strengthens the meaning and paints a more detailed picture of your setting.
4. Use the senses to your advantage.
Engage all five senses in your description to create a detailed picture. Don’t just describe how something looks; include what it feels, smells, sounds, or tastes like. The more sensory details you add, the easier it will be to bring your scenes and characters to life through descriptions. This will provide your reader with vivid descriptions written in an impactful way.
What you should avoid when using sensory details is using too many adjectives. Retain what is helpful in your writing, and don’t over-describe scenes, because your work will lose coherency.
5. Use metaphors and similes.
Metaphors add depth and complexity to your writing and create vivid images in your reader’s head. They make abstract concepts easier to understand. For example, instead of saying: “She was kind and generous,” you could try the metaphor: “She had a heart of gold.” This helps the reader understand and feel the depth of a character's emotions.
Similes are a method of comparison used to make a description more emphatic or vivid. Instead of: “She had a bright smile,” you could say: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
6. Use point of view
Use characters as the starting point for your descriptive writing. Follow them around and describe the world through their eyes. Describe what details they notice that others might not, or vice-versa. Show how your character views other people and how they experience different moments. Describing elements through a character’s point of view reveals how they feel about things and aids with character development.
7. Vary sentence structure
Balance the number of short, punchy sentences and long, flowy ones you use to enhance the quality of your descriptions. This variety highlights details or emotions and keeps your readers entertained.
8. Do writing exercises
Descriptive writing is not easy. If you are new to writing, you should start by introducing a routine. Set a time each day, and write a short paragraph describing whatever setting you like. It could be a room in your house or a park in your city; whatever you feel would be easy to visualize. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t manage it from the get-go, because it takes a lot of time and practice to get the hang of it. Don’t over-edit your work, even if it could be better. If you get hung up on a single piece of writing, you won’t make progress. Start small and make them more intricate as you go.
The most important part of creative writing is that you have fun and enjoy what you’re doing. Let your imagination run wild, and I hope this article helps you on your journey.
Adnana Baltat XII D
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