tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post113820614862054252..comments2023-10-08T07:21:56.107-04:00Comments on All Kinds of Writing: Writing Descriptions or Descriptive WritingMellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17461471128865537538noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-41057764713684331012012-11-22T05:54:26.412-05:002012-11-22T05:54:26.412-05:00Descriptive essay writing is very interesting topi...Descriptive essay writing is very interesting topic that we must have to learn. This will help us to improved our skills in writing a very descriptive essay by means of using a different English grammars that is applicable on essay writing.<br /><a href="http://www.essayreview.org/" rel="nofollow">best essay writing service reviews</a>.Elmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04796454833090219439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138327294048900532006-01-26T21:01:00.000-05:002006-01-26T21:01:00.000-05:00Carter, I read what you say and I'm amazed at how ...Carter, I read what you say and I'm amazed at how diverse people are. Some like to read and write dialogue and een find it easier, while others prefer descriptions and find writing that easier. Seems that most of us, though, despite of our strength and weaknesses really look for a balance, for what will make the story good.Mellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461471128865537538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138303523326234352006-01-26T14:25:00.000-05:002006-01-26T14:25:00.000-05:00Oh, Pat, wonderful!You added and reiterated in muc...Oh, Pat, wonderful!<BR/>You added and reiterated in much stronger words how much the details the author chooses and the impression the author gives is so important in descriptions.<BR/>I love the way you put things.<BR/>Wow, thanks :)Mellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461471128865537538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138299738235527422006-01-26T13:22:00.000-05:002006-01-26T13:22:00.000-05:00Description for me is anything that grounds the ch...Description for me is anything that grounds the characters in the setting. <BR/><BR/>Regarding the first: Maybe because of my acting background, I like props. When I'm talking to someone, I'm often fiddling with something--picking up a pen, tapping my foot, etc.--or my eye might catch something and follow it. Alternately, something might be going on in the background. All of which can be used to infuse the dialogue with rhythm.<BR/><BR/>And the second: I know that some people love long description, using words like "lush" and "I felt like I was there." Long description, for me, is like long exposition. It gets between me and the character/story.<BR/><BR/>Mary walks into a room and then...the author goes into room inventory mode, describing everything from the curtains to the dust on the dresser. Meanwhile, poor Mary stands in the wings, waiting for the author to remember her. Even if the language is lovely, Mary, the character has disappeared. And nothing is happening.<BR/><BR/>This kind of description is too much for me. First, do most people really take in that much in a new (or old) setting? No, our senses fall on the most interesting or strongest things in the room. The first impression is a generalization, followed by focus on the certain elements.<BR/><BR/>My favorite writers pick out elements of the scene that are immediately relevant and filter that description through the characters senses and opinions. The opinion, IMO, is what really makes the description "punchy." It isn't enough to just tell me that there is a portrait on the wall. It's much more interesting if I learn that Mary loathes that old painting, hating the way the eyes follow her around the room.Pat Kirbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13412454476874666367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138252647487414052006-01-26T00:17:00.000-05:002006-01-26T00:17:00.000-05:00Thanks Trée :)Yay! DrinkS... many of them...Oh, do...Thanks Trée :)<BR/><BR/>Yay! DrinkS... many of them...<BR/>Oh, don't worry Liz, I'm a cheap date ;)Mellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461471128865537538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138252294635811622006-01-26T00:11:00.000-05:002006-01-26T00:11:00.000-05:00To clarify: drinkS as in pluralTo clarify: drinkS as in plural"ME" Liz Strausshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10711283307459944821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138252164439955282006-01-26T00:09:00.000-05:002006-01-26T00:09:00.000-05:00Thanks Melly. I really enjoyed this post.Thanks Melly. I really enjoyed this post.Tréehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11742129819547567342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138245354909585512006-01-25T22:15:00.000-05:002006-01-25T22:15:00.000-05:00No prob, rdl. I knew it was a bit on the long sid...No prob, rdl. I knew it was a bit on the long side. Quite alright :)Mellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461471128865537538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138244482635375142006-01-25T22:01:00.000-05:002006-01-25T22:01:00.000-05:00Melly, thanks for this great post. will have to c...Melly, thanks for this great post. will have to come back when i have time to delve and explore.rdlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04062856086277201874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138239714468059682006-01-25T20:41:00.000-05:002006-01-25T20:41:00.000-05:00Carter, oh, when that happens, when the prose beco...Carter, oh, when that happens, when the prose becomes poetry , that's when you know you've made it. It rarely happens to me, but when it does, I savour the moment.<BR/><BR/>Phoenix, I totally agree with you and this is exactly what caused people to be automatically turned off of descriptions, but good descriptive language can, like Carter said, be poetic and exhilirating to both writer and reader.Mellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461471128865537538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138232217464327862006-01-25T18:36:00.000-05:002006-01-25T18:36:00.000-05:00I've read a lot of writing that does the descripti...I've read a lot of writing that does the description overkill thing. They spend paragraphs upon paragraphs giving me a historical and sociological background on the setting, for example.<BR/><BR/>It totally just kills the plot movement.Jay Noelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11571082583740830927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138216836519753422006-01-25T14:20:00.000-05:002006-01-25T14:20:00.000-05:00First, thanks Liz.When I write these posts, I writ...First, thanks Liz.<BR/>When I write these posts, I write them first for me, to help me out in my writing process, so I try to be a thorough as I can without getting into techniques. Don't much care for them.<BR/><BR/>Second, I think you nailed it when you said "Don't try to hit on an "impression" that's outside of you, [...] If you stay inside the description--with your senses and feelings--the writing will be easier and your readers will find it more believable."<BR/><BR/>Third, where's my drink?<BR/>Oh, Chicago you said? Wait for me, I'll be right there.Mellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461471128865537538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12725467.post-1138215910446493202006-01-25T14:05:00.000-05:002006-01-25T14:05:00.000-05:00Melly,I would describe your post as :)I hadn't rea...Melly,<BR/>I would describe your post as :)<BR/><BR/>I hadn't really thought of two kinds of description before, but I think that you've pointed out something important. Most of us not only like to write one more than the other. We also like to read on more than the other.<BR/><BR/>That's probably because the other usually done badly, but also even when done well requires more of us to write or read--more engagement of senses etc. like you talked about. BTW your description of descriptions was more thorough than most that I've read in most textbooks. <BR/><BR/>The coaching I would give is stick with your senses and feelings and go for the words that fit them perfectly--even when you're making things up. Don't try to hit on an "impression" that's outside of you, but rather try to get inside the description. If you stay inside the description--with your senses and feelings--the writing will be easier and your readers will find it more believable. Does that make sense? <BR/><BR/>PS There's a drink waiting of choice for you in Chicago."ME" Liz Strausshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10711283307459944821noreply@blogger.com