“Description tells a story as richly as any other element
of the narrative.”
Vince Mooney
When the hero enters the
courthouse he sees only negative elements in the environment: a dead tree,
cracked sidewalks, uneven steps, weeds in the flower beds, graffiti on the a dumpster,
etc. Yet, when the hero leaves the courthouse, after winning his case, he sees
the gazebo where he’s had good times, the beautiful roses and not the weeds,
the hundred year old historic oak tree. As he looks up he see and appreciates the interesting cloud formations. He plays a game of seeing object in the clouds. He sees happy objects.
 |
| Like being there! |
Description can set a mood, mirror
character actions, lay a foundation for future actions, foreshadow key events,
create AEs (anticipator events), plant ‘red herrings’, and in a more rewarding sense: description can delight a reader
as when a beautiful and exotic setting lets the reader vicariously visit that location. Descriptions alone can make some books worth buying and a joy to read.
Not developing a genuine
skill in using description is like a pianist not learning how to use the black
keys. Yes, the pianist could still make music but there will be a poverty of richness.
"Not
developing a genuine skill in using description is like a pianist not learning
how to use the black keys."
Read the Post That Comes Before this One.
Read the Post That Comes Before this One.
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