Mini Lesson: Descriptive Writing 2
As Bri called it, the writing bug bit... Really hard and really effectively. Seriously, inspiration comes from the strangest places; though not so strange since it wouldn't be the first story influenced by a dream. A Demon's Demand is actually based on a dream I had way back... If you must know.
Now to add to my list of story ideas, I have an idea for Psycho-Pass! And I uhm... hehe, started working on it... *blush* Actually, the whole uhm... "Main theme" would have worked really well for Darker than BLACK, but try for something new~
Anyhow, the whole day has passed with my brain flitting back and forth between different stories and the scenes that I'm in the process of writing. (Sneak writing at work when no one's looking! XD)
As I was doing that, another uhm... "Method" of descriptive writing came to me. This probably compliments the other lesson I wrote up. I don't know! haha, it's worth sharing. Forgive my stupid examples since I'm doing this on the fly.
Onto the lesson!
First, start with a simple structure of what you would like to write.
Example: An apple was sitting on the table.
Second, think about the 5 W's + H for the sentence and what type of importance is related to that sentence. Not all of them necessarily apply.
Who / What / When / Where / Why / How
Whose apple is it? Is that important?
What about the apple? Transition sentence for the scene?
When was it placed there?
Where was it placed exactly?
Why was it placed there?
How was it placed there?
Example: Mary's apple was sitting on the table.
In the morning, an apple was sitting on the table.
An apple was sitting on the corner of the table.
An apple meant for the afternoon snack was sitting on the table.
John had angrily placed an apple on the table.
Any combination of the questions can be answered within the sentence, as determined to be of importance. Avoid sharing any information that is irrelevant.
Once a sentence is developed, try to add descriptive words that would help the reader envision what exactly you hope for them to see.
Extreme combination: In the morning, John angrily slammed a large red apple on the corner of the table, upset that he had to prepare Mary's afternoon snack.
I can't say this enough - but try to avoid using the same words over and over again. Think of various words that can be used to describe the same thing. Think about all the different aspects that can be described.
Taste - sweet, sour, salty, bitter, etc.
Sound - loud, soft, annoying, pleasant, relaxing, etc.
Feel - rough, smooth, bumpy, gritty, soft, etc.
Smell - sweet, stinky, nauseating, etc.
Color - red, blue, green, magenta, etc.
Size - large, small, medium, gigantic, miniscule, etc.
Strength - hard, soft, pliable, malleable, etc.
Material - plastic, wood, glass, metal, etc.
Shape - square, round, flat, cube, cylinder, etc.
Pattern - no pattern (solid), floral, swirls, geometric, checkered, etc.
The list goes on and on. For certain things, specifics (dimensions) can be used as well; things like length or weight. Or use comparisons to specifics that most people can imagine. Even for each "category", there are sub-categories that you can choose to describe, stringing them together for more elaborate description.
Example: lingering sweetness, echoing scream, fleeting floral scent
If you really want to practice, as nerdy as this sounds (I'm a writing nerd XD), pick an object at random and try to describe it in such a way that if no one was looking at it, they would know exactly what you're describing.
Honestly, I don't have to purposely go out of my way to do these things because my brain automatically thinks like that... Lol~ But it really helps in terms of editing if you read over your work.
It also helps to have a process and the more time you spend on it, the better it gets.
For me the steps go like this -
1) Write up a draft copy on paper. If there are words that I'm not certain about, either for meaning or just flow, I put a squiggly line under it. If there are sentences that I don't like for flow, then I circle the entire thing.
2) Edit the draft copy. Re-read it in your head (or out loud) to get a feel for fluidity. If you stumble while reading it, especially out loud, it's probably an awkward sentence.
3) Type the story up on the computer, editing as I go. Perhaps I still don't like the way a sentence or word sounds. For words, consult your dictionary/thesaurus, but only pick words you are truly comfortable using. Do not, I repeat, do not use words you are not 100% sure about. It sounds terrible to have words that are out of place and used incorrectly.
4) Re-read what you have typed up on the computer. Do not only rely on your spell checker! The transition of typing things up does not always flow smoothly. One of my big mistakes is not typing the n't on a contraction. I meant wouldn't, but miss the n't and only type would, which gives the sentence a completely different meaning!
Of course I don't expect everyone to be so anal-retentive about their writing like me, but if you ever wonder why my writing is "so awesome" (as many people like to say), you need to factor in how much effort I put in for it to come out that way. Not that I need to harp to any of you! XD Just saying.
And just one last thing... But if you treat all writing, regardless of whether it's "writing" or writing, in the same way, the habits are easy to form. Yes when you blog, it doesn't need to be perfect, but if you get in the habit of editing that and just practice every chance you get, it becomes like second nature. Seriously becomes easier the more you do it.
Okay! I'm going to take my geeky self and go work on some writing now :P
Now to add to my list of story ideas, I have an idea for Psycho-Pass! And I uhm... hehe, started working on it... *blush* Actually, the whole uhm... "Main theme" would have worked really well for Darker than BLACK, but try for something new~
Anyhow, the whole day has passed with my brain flitting back and forth between different stories and the scenes that I'm in the process of writing. (Sneak writing at work when no one's looking! XD)
As I was doing that, another uhm... "Method" of descriptive writing came to me. This probably compliments the other lesson I wrote up. I don't know! haha, it's worth sharing. Forgive my stupid examples since I'm doing this on the fly.
Onto the lesson!
First, start with a simple structure of what you would like to write.
Example: An apple was sitting on the table.
Second, think about the 5 W's + H for the sentence and what type of importance is related to that sentence. Not all of them necessarily apply.
Who / What / When / Where / Why / How
Whose apple is it? Is that important?
What about the apple? Transition sentence for the scene?
When was it placed there?
Where was it placed exactly?
Why was it placed there?
How was it placed there?
Example: Mary's apple was sitting on the table.
In the morning, an apple was sitting on the table.
An apple was sitting on the corner of the table.
An apple meant for the afternoon snack was sitting on the table.
John had angrily placed an apple on the table.
Any combination of the questions can be answered within the sentence, as determined to be of importance. Avoid sharing any information that is irrelevant.
Once a sentence is developed, try to add descriptive words that would help the reader envision what exactly you hope for them to see.
Extreme combination: In the morning, John angrily slammed a large red apple on the corner of the table, upset that he had to prepare Mary's afternoon snack.
I can't say this enough - but try to avoid using the same words over and over again. Think of various words that can be used to describe the same thing. Think about all the different aspects that can be described.
Taste - sweet, sour, salty, bitter, etc.
Sound - loud, soft, annoying, pleasant, relaxing, etc.
Feel - rough, smooth, bumpy, gritty, soft, etc.
Smell - sweet, stinky, nauseating, etc.
Color - red, blue, green, magenta, etc.
Size - large, small, medium, gigantic, miniscule, etc.
Strength - hard, soft, pliable, malleable, etc.
Material - plastic, wood, glass, metal, etc.
Shape - square, round, flat, cube, cylinder, etc.
Pattern - no pattern (solid), floral, swirls, geometric, checkered, etc.
The list goes on and on. For certain things, specifics (dimensions) can be used as well; things like length or weight. Or use comparisons to specifics that most people can imagine. Even for each "category", there are sub-categories that you can choose to describe, stringing them together for more elaborate description.
Example: lingering sweetness, echoing scream, fleeting floral scent
If you really want to practice, as nerdy as this sounds (I'm a writing nerd XD), pick an object at random and try to describe it in such a way that if no one was looking at it, they would know exactly what you're describing.
Honestly, I don't have to purposely go out of my way to do these things because my brain automatically thinks like that... Lol~ But it really helps in terms of editing if you read over your work.
It also helps to have a process and the more time you spend on it, the better it gets.
For me the steps go like this -
1) Write up a draft copy on paper. If there are words that I'm not certain about, either for meaning or just flow, I put a squiggly line under it. If there are sentences that I don't like for flow, then I circle the entire thing.
2) Edit the draft copy. Re-read it in your head (or out loud) to get a feel for fluidity. If you stumble while reading it, especially out loud, it's probably an awkward sentence.
3) Type the story up on the computer, editing as I go. Perhaps I still don't like the way a sentence or word sounds. For words, consult your dictionary/thesaurus, but only pick words you are truly comfortable using. Do not, I repeat, do not use words you are not 100% sure about. It sounds terrible to have words that are out of place and used incorrectly.
4) Re-read what you have typed up on the computer. Do not only rely on your spell checker! The transition of typing things up does not always flow smoothly. One of my big mistakes is not typing the n't on a contraction. I meant wouldn't, but miss the n't and only type would, which gives the sentence a completely different meaning!
Of course I don't expect everyone to be so anal-retentive about their writing like me, but if you ever wonder why my writing is "so awesome" (as many people like to say), you need to factor in how much effort I put in for it to come out that way. Not that I need to harp to any of you! XD Just saying.
And just one last thing... But if you treat all writing, regardless of whether it's "writing" or writing, in the same way, the habits are easy to form. Yes when you blog, it doesn't need to be perfect, but if you get in the habit of editing that and just practice every chance you get, it becomes like second nature. Seriously becomes easier the more you do it.
Okay! I'm going to take my geeky self and go work on some writing now :P