tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post1599242518081136486..comments2024-03-08T20:41:23.825-08:00Comments on Author Heather McCorkle: Descriptions: Too Much Or Too LittleHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post-32981429397507322282010-04-04T08:30:59.178-07:002010-04-04T08:30:59.178-07:00That's probably a safe bet Lorel. A lot of gre...That's probably a safe bet Lorel. A lot of great writers leave much up to the mind of the reader.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post-61547814831989313602010-04-04T08:29:31.576-07:002010-04-04T08:29:31.576-07:00I've read that many times Alissa! In fact I us...I've read that many times Alissa! In fact I used to do it! Everytime I mentioned a character I would mention their hair or eye color. Thank goodness an instructor pointed out how annoying that was! I've read others make the clothes mistake too. Definitely something to avoid!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post-64682007487734069512010-04-03T19:11:18.700-07:002010-04-03T19:11:18.700-07:00So true! I'm like you--anorexic descriptions--...So true! I'm like you--anorexic descriptions--but during edits I expand where needed. I mainly focus on scenes that I want the reader to see a certain way. I'm happy to leave most everything else up to their imaginations.Lorel Claytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06749366331989131894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post-74325748014230197222010-04-03T12:55:30.089-07:002010-04-03T12:55:30.089-07:00My biggest pet peeve when it comes to description ...My biggest pet peeve when it comes to description is too much description of a character. I want to know what a character looks like, of course, but a few authors go overboard describing their character's outfit down to the very last detail each and every time they change their clothes, besides unnecessarily dating a novel (fashion changes pretty fast) it's also boring to read.Alissa Grossohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16701189791875707920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post-2967346150465505372010-04-03T08:36:15.563-07:002010-04-03T08:36:15.563-07:00Thanks Jule! I love the way you put that, 'dro...Thanks Jule! I love the way you put that, 'dropped subtly into the story'. That's when description is at its best!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post-29733289059461769252010-04-02T17:53:12.486-07:002010-04-02T17:53:12.486-07:00I like description when it's dropped subtly in...I like description when it's dropped subtly into the story. Not too preachy, but knowledgeable enough to put the reader into the scene. The best novels draw us in, and we lose ourselves in the story. Description also supports the mood of the story. Heather, your stories use description very well to evoke the mysterious and brooding world of the werewolves. Great job!Julehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02243025959756691875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post-57031764267219565252010-04-02T09:38:36.892-07:002010-04-02T09:38:36.892-07:00Portia, I'm not the only one! I feared I was s...Portia, I'm not the only one! I feared I was since so many people take a while to write their book and get it all right the first time. I'm more of an editing addict. I like to get the book written so I can get to the good part, editing!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post-58766739334857355612010-04-02T09:32:09.626-07:002010-04-02T09:32:09.626-07:00So true Terry. Once a writer starts to sound like ...So true Terry. Once a writer starts to sound like they're attempting to teach the reader the book loses it's power unless its nonfiction! I remember reading the last Jean Auel book and being totally turned off by the teaching voice of the novel.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post-41845107191957276562010-04-02T09:30:03.888-07:002010-04-02T09:30:03.888-07:00Good thoughts! My first draft tends to be spare--I...Good thoughts! My first draft tends to be spare--I'm just getting the ideas down. For me, much of the description comes in the second and third drafts, and the paring down comes in later versions. It's easy to see why good writing means lots of editing!Portiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13435815819572442582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551608342749773751.post-64501103939298730112010-04-02T09:17:30.794-07:002010-04-02T09:17:30.794-07:00Good suggestions. I've been watching the way B...Good suggestions. I've been watching the way Barry Eisler handles it in his Rain series, where he's likely "teaching" readers about Japan. There's a fine line between showing the scene and saying, "I've been there; I did my research, so now you have to read about it."Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.com