I don't do description. My novels have been described as "place holders in a shadow world" because there is little or no description. Shapes, colors, scents, sounds, all have to be added after the fact.
The descriptive edit consists of colors, textures, smells, sounds, movement, and even size. Does a character look up or down at another? Are her fingers small? What color are the leaves on the trees?
Trying to fit all the senses in, after the fact, is more difficult to me than the emotion edit. It's just an artifact of how I see the world.
I like reading books with a solid physical presence, so I try to put those things in my novels. This edit and the emotion edit take the most time.
I'm afraid I have a desire to appeal to everyone, so I want those who like description to be drawn in by the description, and those who like characters to be drawn in by the characters. There's something for everyone here.
I just need to make sure there's not too much, but that hasn't been a problem to this point. If anything, my readers want more than I'm giving them.
I'm much better in this sense than I used to be, but it's still a continuous struggle.
Back to Edit 3
Back to the beginning.
I think of my first draft manuscripts as skinny puppies. I have to go back later to add the meaty descriptions that turn them into dogs. Dogs? That doesn't sound right, but after two rejections today, that's how I'm feeling. LOL.
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com
Readers digest version. Now I need to take it and fill in all the gaps.
DeleteSorry about the rejections.
I think we all have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to writing. Description doesn't come naturally to me either, so once I have the first draft done I go over it and try to cover all the senses.
ReplyDeleteEach of us has to identify our own editing process, because no one works the same way.
DeleteIt's SUCH a balance... and one that's so hard to obtain! But the best thing we can do is know our strengths and weaknesses... that way we can be aware with where we need to focus while editing. Spot on! :)
ReplyDeleteA lot of people seem to think there's some magic bullet for editing--some formula that will work for everyone. Like the writing itself, it's very personal and wrapped around our own style.
DeleteDescriptions are my kryptonite as well. In a first draft I usually write only brief descriptions of things, key details, more like stage directions and place-holders, and have to weave stronger, lusher descriptions into the text in the rewrite. But I'm trying to include this process into the drafting, since it's a creative task, and while I rewrite I'm more cerebral than creative. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting way to tackle revisions. I prefer to do them all-in-one-pass, which is both easier and harder. Everyone works their own way, I suppose.
When you outline one pass is often simpler, but I don't. The plot (triage) stage is an absolute necessity, simply because the story morphs as I write it. I know that emotion and description are two other areas where I'm weak...etc.
DeleteEverybody has their own way. This works for me and matches my writing style. Still, I'm guessing we spend about the same amount of time writing/editing. More of your time is likely spend with the outlining and drafting. So it evens out.
Lauren