Comments on: A White Box

By: Linda Henderson

Linda Henderson — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:42:06 +0000

Yes, I don’t enjoy an overabundance of descriptions either. I like to imagine part of it in my head while I’m reading. If there’s too much, nothing left for me to fantasize about.

By: Shelley Munro

Shelley Munro — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:01:11 +0000

I’m glad you all enjoyed the post. I’m still in Wellington enjoying the sunshine.

Kaily – great point about writers needing to let the readers use their imaginations. For me that’s part of the reading experience. It’s funny how you can discuss a book with friends and we all have a different vision of the characters.

By: Debra Kayn

Debra Kayn — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:46:24 +0000

That was a great post. Explained the differences well and showed how romance books have changed over the years. I wish those that turn up their noses at romance books would read one that’s on the market today. They’d learn that things have changed for the better.

I have a little white box too when I start out. (great example btw) My second round, I add the details.

By: Kaily Hart

Kaily Hart — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:49:19 +0000

I’m one of those people who skip over paragraphs of description to get back into the action. I like to see enough to set a scene, but as a writer I believe you need to let the reader use their own imagination. Too much description might interfere with their reading experience. I want them to relate to my characters, the setting and the story and they have to feel invested in it too. Too much detail shoved at them can ruin this process I think. When I start to write I usually have big splashes of bright neon colors that I need to tone down and spread out a bit. These usually end up being the turning points for the novel interestingly. For me, my characters come pretty much fully formed. I just have to put them in the right places at interesting times to string the plot together. Great post!

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:51:41 +0000

I like some description but not three pages of it describing one brick in a wall. Ya know what I mean. I actually stopped reading Anne Rice because her books were so filled with more discriptiveness than substance for me. I like enough description let’s say about how the male character looks to make my mouth water, but not so much that I get bored and couldn’t care less anymore.

By: Jaime

Jaime — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:07:46 +0000

I’m with you on this one, although I am bad about describing clothing/atmosphere/surroundings too often from time to time. I think a bit of description is great, it’s overkill you have to watch out for.

Great topic!