Description: A Short How To

I never paid much attention to description until I realized its importance to a story. Readers can’t imagine what is happening if they can’t picture who it’s happening to or where. Readers want to read description and are delighted when it’s crafted well. Here is how I create meaningful description.

The reader should be immediately oriented to the scene’s setting and characters. In order to connect with your story, readers need to visualize where it takes place and to whom. One lengthy paragraph becomes dull; give readers only what’s essential to the plot and dole out your description between action and dialogue. If what you’re describing is less important to the plot, it deserves less description.

Begin with the basics then draw into specific details. A character’s figure is most noticeable, then their features, then their mannerisms. The same goes for your setting. Give a general layout, then dig into the five senses and a few metaphors, then what’s lying around.

Focus on characteristics that will be used in the story. Your protagonist wanders through a cave and sees stalagmites. Later, he could use a stalagmite to defeat the antagonist. Is your protagonist a black belt in karate? He could win a life-changing battle with that skill. Using aforementioned elements of setting or character keeps readers on their toes.

Think like the POV character.  Focus on the details they would focus on. If the main character thinks his crush is beautiful, describe her freckles or how her hair melts down her back like chocolate on a hot summer day. Likewise, what is the protagonist’s relationship to the setting? If they’re being chased in a forest maybe every owl is like a demon streaking overhead. Also, describe as you would. Keep a journal and note small details. Use them to create a more unique description.

Actions speak louder than adjectives. So your protagonist sees a strange guy on the subway. Which description of the man is engaging and moves the story forward? This:

“The guy had big ears and a chipped front tooth. His hair did not have a friendly relationship with gravity; the pink strands defied it every which way. He wore a vest over his purple blouse, green slacks, and brown suede shoes. He looked like a clown. One that a rainbow threw up on.”

Or this: “The train rumbled beneath my feet, but I focused on the man two feet ahead of me in the cramped space. His gaze switched back and forth between me and the next car. He bounced on the balls of his feet and twitched his fingers. Is he waiting for somebody? I wondered. Why is he staring at me?

He looked straight ahead and grinned, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek. He opened his pocket slightly to peer at something inside. I struggled to creep a foot closer and see what he was hiding. It took me a full minute, but the guy hadn’t moved as if he was waiting for me to get close enough.

As if he wanted me to see that in his pocket was a handful of human teeth.”

Maybe the last description was more creepy than strange, but you get the gist. Don’t stop the story in its tracks for a paragraph of adjectives. Infuse your description with action and keep plowing forward.  

Remember, readers want to read description. It’s a struggle, but as writers, our job is to make that description interesting, succinct, and unique. With a little practice, you’ll get it. Just keep trying.