Description

Description has much to do with pacing in storytelling, and perhaps more to do with storyline elements. In the earlier lessons of this writer it was put forward that you must balance detail and action. Here, the writer plans to go further in depth on this subject, specifically the titular subject at hand. The major point in this piece will be the utility of detail.

In almost every piece of writing worthy of note, description plays a weighty part in both pacing and action. It is used for introduction, characterization, setting, and very frequently is used to put the reader in the intended mindset so that they can understand the context in which the action takes place. The main problem with this is that description can disrupt a storyline’s flow rather easily if it is left unchecked. Many writers find themselves languishing within the morass of description, unable to find the pathway from their introduction to the meaty conflict inherit in the story. As is obvious, one cannot exactly bring conflict into description easily or constantly. For the most part, description is action-neutral, and thus often requires a bit of livening up so that the author does not lose the attention of the audience.

Despite this, there are many ways in which adding details can be helpful. Instead of having the protagonist resolve his conflict with the antagonist, the writer can have the beleaguered warrior-poet slay the dastardly wizard who slaughtered the hero’s family. Detail can indeed be the spice of storytelling, giving an acquired taste to the mostly palatable meat of action. But just like a gourmet cook, the writer should be careful not to over spice their story and risk the loss of their consumer. Overwrought stories are among the worst to be read, and are almost painful to trudge through for the reader.

So, to alleviate this problem, this friendly writing tutor puts forth this advice: Unless the audience is particularly dedicated, never go for more than half a scene without including some action. This could take the form of conflicting thoughts for a character, or elements at odds in a history, or simple distressing conditions, like a thunderstorm or a pitched battle. Also, whatever course of action is chosen, make sure it has a point. Meaningless action is just as bad as overwrought description. Perhaps the protagonist is recounting the history of the land and remembers their bad childhood, or maybe the town is being stricken with thunderstorm. Maybe there’s simply a dichotomy of ideals, if the point of writing is to persuade, but whatever there is, there must be a point to it.

The same goes for description. As well as not being used too excessively, description should not be done mindlessly. Do not distract from the plot or focus of the scene by describing an anonymous man’s shoes unless it sets the mood of the scene, or serves some purpose. The purpose does not need to be particularly obvious, but there must be some kind of purpose, no matter how small or seemingly innocuous. This gives the reader a hint that they are at least doing all of this trudging through line after line of text for a reason.

In the end, one should not avoid meaningless description too zealously. As is always stated by yours truly, all things in storytelling should be done in moderation. One can have a few lines of description for no other purpose than their own amusement at a turn of phrase. Perhaps a sentence or two of action that only serves as filler can be excused. But always keep the focus on what the story is attempting to communicate. Hopefully, remembering this piece of advice will one day help when some story-in-the-making comes to a storyline stand still.