What is Descriptive Writing?
One of the most challenging aspects of being a creative writer is mastering descriptive writing. Descriptive writing is the use of specific words and phrases used to explain the overall look, feeling, or characteristics of a person, setting, or object in a story. Mastering descriptive writing is absolutely essential to novel writers, as the reader is solely relying on the words on a page to help them visualize what is happening in a story. All writers should learn how to utilize descriptions effectively, from the most basic descriptions to the most complex.
The Importance of Descriptive Writing in Creative Writing
Creating great descriptions is important because it helps to paint a picture of your world for your reader. It sets the scene, establishes a mood, and helps your reader to feel and see everything your protagonist experiences. Without descriptive writing, every scene that plays out takes place in what writers call a “white room.” A white room is that place of emptiness a reader imagines when the author fails to create a proper setting.
How to Get Better at Descriptive Writing
Like anything else involving writing, to master descriptive writing, it’s going to take a lot of practice. Luckily for us, there are plenty of great examples of authors who are skilled in this aspect that we can learn from. Somehow, they manage to activate all five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and even taste to create a 3D world we can vividly imagine. Here we’re going to break down what methods and tactics they use to create that magical effect.
1. Decide What Mood You Are Trying Create
The first thing you want to ask yourself before attempting to describe a setting, character, etc. is “what mood am I trying to set?” Deciding on the mood you are trying to set (or what type of character you are trying to build) will determine what details you should be focusing on when describing it.
For example, ask yourself, do I want the story to feel mysterious? Then create a foggy setting that conceals the visual of an unknown figure. Do I want the mood to feel cheerful? Then draw attention to the sunny sky in the bright blue sky. Uncomfortable? Then draw attention to the sticky sweat dripping down your character’s back.
Whatever you choose to draw attention using descriptions, it’s imperative that it contributes to mood, tone, setting, and “feel” you are trying to establish.
2. Use Imagery Strategically
Once you decide what mood you are trying to establish, think of how you can use imagery to draw your reader into your story. Imagery is the use of vivid and detailed descriptions that appeals to the senses of your reader. It takes your reader from that dreaded “white room” to a 3D setting that your reader can see, feel, hear, etc.
As you develop your style of writing, think of different ways you can appeal to one of the 5 senses. Figure out what makes most sense for the scene you are currently writing. Keep in mind there are multiple ways you can approach writing a scene, paragraph, sentence, etc. For example, here are five simple variations of the same sentence that use different senses:
- Sight: Joseph rode his bicycle along the pebbly trail to his grandmother’s house.
- Touch: The wind blew past Joseph’s face as he pedaled to his grandmother’s house.
- Sound: Pebbles crunched under the wheels of Joseph’s bicycle as he pedaled to his grandmother’s house.
- Smell: Joseph smelled sugar and milk chocolate wafting through the air as he pedaled to his grandmother’s house.
- Taste: Joseph pedaled to his grandmother’s house, his mouth salivating as he thought of sugar and milk chocolate chips melting on his tongue.
Mix and match until you find something suitable for your story and writing style.
3. Draw Attention to What’s Interesting or Unique
Not all aspects of a character, setting, etc. are necessary to describe in great detail. There’s no need to vividly describe a common object like a wooden chair in more than two words.
Instead of focusing your effort on describing the most common or bland parts of your character or setting, switch your focus to something unique or interesting about your character or setting. Use these characteristics to help your character or setting be more memorable.
Or if there’s nothing that stands out, create something odd or unique about them (unless blandness is a part of their character of course). Trust me when I say it’s much easier to engagingly describe a mythical giant creature that stands out from everyone else than it is to describe an average middle-aged man.
4. Make Use of Similes and Metaphors
Similes and metaphors are great ways to use what your reader is already familiar with to draw a complete picture of your setting and characters. A simile is when you make a comparison between two things using “like” or “as.” A metaphor is when you make a comparison without using “like” or “as.”
Similes and metaphors are everywhere: the flames weaving in your fireplace during the winter, or the abandoned creek in your backyard, rushing with water. Try to recall common (or not so common) occurrences you see everyday that are comparable to anything in your story, no matter how wacky it may seem. Then connect it to an image, sound, etc. you are trying to convey in your story. For example, maybe you can compare the flames in your fireplace to a bright light, or the flowing creek to a crowd walking the sidewalk during rush hour.
Even better, think of similes and metaphors that relate to your main character and their environment. Think of the common occurrences your characters might come across themselves. Similes and metaphors used in this way contribute to worldbuilding and characterization.
5. Use Precise Language
Finally, to properly describe anything in your story, it is important to use precise language. When you look back on your writing, there are always places where your use of language can improve. For example, in instances where appropriate, you might want to use a verb like “shouted” instead of “said.” Or you can use “tiptoed” instead of “walked.” This can apply to sight as well, like using “crimson” instead of “red.”
Make sure you’re also being specific. Instead of referring to objects as “it,” name specific aspects of the object your character is interacting with. For example, instead of saying, “Tim grabbed the water bottle and unscrewed it,” change the sentence to, “Tim grabbed the water bottle and unscrewed its top.”
I suggest you learn about filter words and filler words so you can recognize what parts of your writing need more precise or descriptive language.
Lastly, you want to make sure your writing is easily understood and not overly complex in places where it doesn’t need to be (remember to use imagery strategically!) Overly descriptive writing is known as purple prose. Use precise language to help your reader envision exactly how your scene plays out.
Best Descriptive Writing Examples
In my opinion, here are some of the best descriptive writing examples across literature:
Beloved by Toni Morrison: “The crickets were screaming on Thursday and the sky, stripped of blue, was white hot at eleven in the morning…Denver’s bonnet knocked against her shoulder blades; Paul D wore his vest open, no jacket and his shirt sleeves rolled above his elbow. They were not holding hands, but their shadows were.”
Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien: “Next morning after a late breakfast, the wizard was sitting with Frodo by the open window of the study. A bright fire was on the hearth, but the sun was warm, and the wind was in the South. Everything looked fresh, and the new green of spring was shimmering in the fields and on the tips of the trees’ fingers.”
A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin: The weirwood’s bark was white as bone, its leaves dark red, like a thousand bloodstained hands. A face had been carved in the trunk of the great tree, its features long and melancholy, the deep-cut eyes red with dried sap and strangely watchful.”
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis: “…on a much higher seat in the middle of the sledge sat…a great lady, taller than any woman that Edmund had ever seen. She also was covered in white fur up to her throat and held a long straight golden wand in her right hand and wore a golden crown on her head. Her face was white—not merely pale, but white like snow or paper or icing, except for her very red mouth.”
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