I'm writing my way through my first novel, second draft now. The first one was unsuccessful. Prior to writing this, I mostly wrote screenplays amongst other things - so I've got into the habit of lots of dialogue. I think the problem I'm encountering is my book is too dialogue-y, there's not enough description in there, if that makes sense?
I just wondered what people think, do you need flowing passages of description or can shorter/snappier description intertwined with plenty of dialogue work best? Just trying to strike that winning formula!
I have never thought of doing that Lauriksha. You must have some plan of the scene you are writing before you start though, don't you? I am dreadful about planning - I think up the overall idea and synopsis for a novel, characterise it, and then I start writing without having planned it out scene by scene. I have just uploaded to my Kindle a book called 'Start Writing Your Novel in the Middle' or something like that. The whole idea amazed me so I had to have the book!
I have to say, I agree with Sue. I also have a problem with sometimes putting in too much dialogue :) It's a pain, since you want your story to flow and give off the vibe you're imagining in your head and it's difficult to that writing descriptions in between conversations and interactions.
What I've found helps me, is if I write all the dialogue first, and thereafter return to the beginning of the scene and imagine all the things I would notice or see or hear or smell or whatever, and input little descriptions; not too long that it takes away from the flow of the dialogue, but enough so that the reader feels like they're standing right there, or are involved in the scene itself. Hope that helps :)
I love short and snappy dialogue Cory, with description that isn't over long but sums up a place perfectly. I can sometimes believe that I have been to Louisianna in the States, because of James Lee Burke's amazing descriptions in his Robicheaux books, especially the smells, and I love the clarity of his writing overall.
I also love Stephen King for dialogue and for grabbing your attention and never letting you go. Whenever I get stuck I go and read some good modern literature, with a small l!, and then get excited enough to write something myself.