How much description should be used in a novel?
When I have previously attempted to write, I have always struggled with description and felt as though I haven't used enough.
Now though, I've written the first 1,000 words of a new piece and I feel as though I've used to much! There's no dialogue in that first 1,000 words.
So what's the right equilibrium? How much description should be used?
Megan
I'm really chuffed that you're encouraged :-) :-) :-)
A little note of warning - two notes -
1. The "released flow" doesn't always work - but it is always good practice.
2. When you go back - you can find that you have a lot of "adjustment" to do - but at least you will have the material to adjust :-)
Another thing...
When going back over work - you can find that you wander off... I'm sure that the "plan everything" enthusiasts will have a good laugh at this and be really happy that there way is as sensible as it is... :-) (You guys do have some advantages!)
"Wandering off" is a good reason to copy the original and paste to a working document when "adjusting" - it means that you have a datum to go back to if/when you get completely lost.
However! If/when you wander away - you can discover that you have a complete second story!
Okay. So I'm insane... But I am happy! :-)
Thank you for the comments everyone!
Adrian - Thank you. I hope you don't mind but I used your Planning advice that you gave on another question to help me plan my piece. The one about, Chapter Titles, brief descriptions of Characters, etc. So far I have found it a very useful guide within the planning stages! (: So, so far so good. I usually don't bother to plan.
David - Thanks! I haven't felt this happy in a long time. I've been struggling to writer for the past four years, and now finally, I've started! I've hit the 2,000 words mark, and it has done nothing but spur me on! Thanks for the advice I will go back later and sort everything out. For now I'm just going to write!
100% right Suzy! What an awesome line "You're a writer, write for yourself" !
My Regency romances have generated more conflict about descriptions than any other novels I have written. I have half of the readers saying too much description and the other half saying the ambience was wonderful.
It comes down to those who want dialogue and to get on with the story against those who want to feel part of it. My Regencies are written in the style of the epoch, which tends to be more descriptive than today.
So, if you are writing modern, I would say get to the dialogue fairly quickly even if you slip into descriptions later.
I'm afraid that you will never be able to please everybody all of the time, though. You're a writer, write for yourself.
ôô
Suzy