I don't honestly know how much description is too much. But I do know that every author has strengths and weaknesses. I know that the business of writing is filled with distinct individuals. I know that some authors can use massive blocks of description effectively and others cannot. It really depends on the author.
I know what I expect as a reader and reviewer though. I know that what separates the excellent writer from the good one is the drive for improvement. The excellent writers are never content with their writing. They constantly strive to provide the reader with better work and this is what the reader and reviewer want.
In the area of writing description there is always room for improvement. But there is also a basic reality to what the reader expects. Now, granted, the reader is an individual as well and some may be more tolerant than others, but here is the basic reality: The reader expects description to put them into the story, but not distract from it.
Some authors have their strong point in dialogue and action. Others have their strong point in description. Two authors whose strength is in description are T.A. Barron and Stephen Lawhead. They are masters at it. But both of their styles are wildly different.
T.A. Barron tends to have lengthier description sections and more often, but his language is so magnificent and easy to read that the reader hardly notices the absence of dialogue for a few pages.
Stephen Lawhead is a more balanced writer between dialogue and description, but he does have a strength is description. He is able to describe a scene vividly using unexpected details that successfully cast an image into the mind of his reader.
These two authors represent what I expect as a reader and reviewer. They use description effectively and are able to keep the reader's mind in the plot and run of the story. Scenes in writing are much like scenes in plays. The set (description) is in the background. It enhances, sets-up, and frames the scene, but it does not distract from the actors (characters.) This is what the reader expects from a writer in regards to description.
Joshua, great post! Very important topic, too. I recently heard at a workshop to be careful how you use description and to not overdo it. Some writers have a tendency from the very beginning to just drop the whole background of the characters and to put too much backstory in the first few pages. This overwhelms and can bore the reader. It is best to work in the details as the story goes along. Start with some information and then sprinkle the tid-bits throughout the story where necessary. This tends to make sense. Classic writers used to write more description because that was part of what was expected in their day and time (their readers were used to it) and some were paid by the word and would write more. Nowadays, readers want information quicker and have less patience, so in keeping with the style of today's readers, writers have to see just how to fit description in effectively to engage the readers and not lose them. This can sometimes be tricky. One writer who does use quite a bit of description that I think cleverly does so is Dean Koontz, particularly in The Face. Even though he describes a lot, he does so in a beautiful way and a way that enhances the story. For myself, I prefer writing a lot of dialogue; seems to be a strong point with me by nature. However, a well-rounded writer has to learn to do all parts to have a successful and complete story. Take care, Joshua!
ReplyDeleteAye, it is an extremely important topic. I am in favor of well-rounded writers, but I believe there will always be a hint of where a writer's strength is.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the response. I enjoy seeing other writer's thoughts.