Some of us, when we read, go blind and deaf to the world; the scenes on the page unfold in the mind’s eye, producing something like a movie - without overpriced tickets and artery-clogging popcorn. One of the reasons some readers, like my daughter, dislike reading is that they don’t ever get that movie going in their heads. As writers, we owe it to our readers - and ourselves - to write vivid, visual descriptions that help transport the reader into the world of our creation.

Ironically, one way to do that is to avoid over-describing the scene. Leave something to the reader’s imagination, so that reading becomes an active partnership rather than a passive chore. (Ever notice how “chore” rhymes with “bore”?) Your job is to show the reader what’s essential to understanding. This is a common problem for action/adventure writers. Too often, we try to describe a battle scene in excruciating detail and find it difficult to do. Not surprisingly, it’s hard to read and follow, as well. Instead of choreographing every move, imagine it as a movie (or watch your favorite action movie, then turn it off) - what parts of the fight do you remember? What are the significant details? That’s really all you need to describe.

Another way to write more vivid descriptions is to make sure you engage all of the five senses: touch, sound, taste, smell, and sight. Try this: Imagine your first day of grade school. Now, describe it, using all of your senses. The details should be specific and concrete; avoid clichés and oversimplification. There’s little point in saying “The teacher smelled nice.” But to say that “The teacher smelled of lavender and fresh apples” says something a reader can visualize. By invoking multisensory images, your writing may recall sense memories - your own, and your readers’ as well - unique emotional responses based on past experiences. This gives your writing an added, emotional dimension. Here’s another exercise: Think of an emotion. Now, set the scene, using descriptive details that invoke that emotion.

Each scene should leave the reader with one clear, lasting impression. It is not a confused and confusing jumble of images (unless that’s a deliberate effect employed to convey confusion and chaos). Is it beautiful, scary, ominous, tranquil, breathtaking, cold, hot - what is the main idea? Make sure that your descriptive details are relevant and supportive.

This site has some good tips and reminders to get you writing quickly and effectively.

November is just around the corner. According to National Novel Writing Month founder Chris Baty’s announcement on http://www.NaNoWriMo.org on September 15:

“On October 1, the site and new forums will re-open, registration will begin, and our servers will begin the annual fight for their lives against the crushing weight of 75,000 novelists. The likelihood of site crashes that day: Very high. We've quadrupled our processing power from last year, though, so everything should smooth out after the initial rush subsides.”

Where did the summer go?

demor writes:

In my opinion, art occurs when a person succeeds in transmitting a deeply felt emotion clearly in words, graphics, sounds or acting. Many of us talk about art, but few of us are able to use our skills to transmit true feelings.

Voxxylady writes:

Long apparently has a very narrow-minded view of art, which is the antithesis of what art is. The form it takes is unimportant. Art is an expression of the creative soul, regardless of how it manifests itself.

ANGEL writes:

I think the toughest part in this situation is that you can't hold back any emotion or feeling because that is what creates and makes your art of creative writing.

That’s only tough if you want to hold back. -- Jessiebelle

M. DeVille writes:

I wonder if someone could give me a clear definition of time i.e. past, present, future tense.. how to identify it ...I find myself writing in what others recognise as 'mixed tense' but I am unable to 'see it.' M.DeVille'

finnley writes:

Thanks for that helpful piece on writing dialogue. It is something I struggle with very much. Having a few good guidelines set out like that will help me to focus on what I am doing.

Finnley.

alicengoreland writes:

I think a story without little to no dialog is flat. Dialog can show a great deal about a character. One thing I have noticed is that in well paced character driven stories they don't just tag lines of dialog with "he/she said," the tags moves the story along in someway. Sometimes as bit of description. or its action. A little of this can go along way is telling a good story.

Joto-Kai writes:

Art is in the decision making process. Once you are able to control the result you create, you are an artist; doubly so if you art is driven by "beauty" or similar abstract vision.

Of course, this might well mean that there are artists in every field of endeavor.

Art is the essence of humanity; however this is no reason which we cannot see a spark of spirit in the other animals.

alexnuma writes:

Dear Jessiebelle,

I learnt much from your newsletter but was rather frustrated not to find any hint at what I think is the laboratory of writing dynamics in dialogue. You have singled out the notion of character and expanded from that. Hence your caution at avoiding "idle chit-chat".

Would you not agree that the actual locus that generates the power of any dialogue is the field of the readers mind where the speech of two ("dia"-logue) characters are put in presence? If we oversee this point, then we are stuck in the narcissism of monologue (also useful at times, even in the presence of other characters).

I am sure there are cases of "idle chit-chat" between characters which, considered separately, are boring, but which, when the reader's mind lets itself be drawn into the game of confronting both, generate the interest.

Alec Numa

bobneH .. aka.. just bob writes:

Conversations...

A few things you didn't say.

( There are NO dbl. spaces in a conversation; unless the subject or scene changes ) Pick up a book..any book..dbl-sp is for paragraphs.

'yuck'..tag lines he said/she said...

names...unless there are more than two, names are NOT necessary...if more than two, tell the reader 'before'...not in a tag-line after..also let the reader 'know' how it is being said.

(Ted glaired at the others and shouted, ".....)

just bob

Carol McKenzie writes:

You've written an excellent article on dialogue. It was good to "bone up" on it.

Little Scribbler writes:

that was an interesting newsletter. I have a question though. You said that when a character talks you use "and". I use 'and'. Is this ok or is it wrong?

laregna writes:

Digital photography not art?! I'd love to put together some grand dissertation refuting the point, but I'm just sitting here with my mouth agape...not very helpful for the cause. I have this feeling that if I started to make my case I wouldn't shut up for far too long. So, I'll just state, "Yes, it is." There! I said it!

That was my first reaction. My second was to rant. (I used to work with a graphic artist who once remarked that the writers in the department “weren’t creative.” That got my hackles up, but then again, she was referring to technical writers…) My third was to write a rebuttal. That’s what we creative tech writers do when we’re outraged. -- Jessiebelle

lindamv writes:

Great newsletters - the best!

A last word on titles. I gave a title to a story in a series but didn't use it then. When I came back a few months later, the title inspired me to write a different story to any I'd written before. Do have a look at:

simply_complex writes:

I tend to be a very shy person and that trait flows into my attempts at writing. I found your Newsletter in my mailbox, and was delighted to find the issue's topic on dialogue. I found your first two bullet points very helpful. Thank you for presenting such an articulate and useful guide. I have saved this for future reference.

Black Willow writes:

Hi, Jessiebelle!

I was so glad to recieve another of your newsletters!

While the former one made me laugh and gave me ideas of how to name songs, this one came right on time because I've just found out that I can post images here on WDC, and since I'm not only writing songs but also love to paint, I've posted a drawing of mine right away, you can check it out if you want...

The fact that there are elephants who draw was new to me, and I like the idea very much! It's special...

Write on! You give wonderful ideas!

Dana.