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> Okay, when I use too many words, it seems a
> rather extreme way to describe something. Otherwise,
> not using enough words, it's rather vague in
> description. So, how do I write a passage with just
> enough explanation, yet not too little or too much
> description? How do I know when the reader has
> had enough, or not enough? (that's why I'm
> having people like you sort of give it a test
> read.)
This is precisely why writing is an artform and not a science. There is no
real way to measure exactly when something is too detailed or not enough, and
there is always variation in your readers.
My advice is to provide only what detail is REQUIRED by the story, that is,
what details are important to the development of the characters and the plot.
For example, if you talk about a princess wearing a purple dress- is there
anything important in that dress? is purple saying something, even if
metaphorically, to the audience? if it isn't, then who cares? This can be a
difficult concept to accept, because writers tend to put more detail in rather
than less.
one of my favorite authors is Milan Kundera, and also Franz Kafka. Both of
these guys are masters of the important detail. They know that your
imagination will fill in everything else to put a picture in your mind, but
they convey everything that is needed for the story (plot, characters, mood) to
progress. The effect is very rich writing, because meaning is behind every
word and detail, and nothing is without purpose.
Kundera's -Unbearable Lightness of Being- and Kafka's -The Trial- are two
examples of the mastery of controlled detail.
also check out Kundera's The Art of the Novel, as a guide to writing.
>
> I would place clarity in the center between
> extreme description and vagueness.
I would argue against seeking clarity, per se, but rather using description and
vagueness both. Like two colors on a palette, used when you want them.
Sometimes vagueness is excellent in expressing a certain meaning and a certain
mood, while description expresses another.
the whole question is: what is it you want to convey, and what is the best way
to do that.
-lenny
ps. i haven't taken time yet but to peruse your story, and my comments are
based on my philosophy of writing in responce to the discussion i've read so
far.
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: Please read this!
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| (...) Ah, finally more interesting discussion in this thread. :) (...) Yes, I was wondering when someone would eventually state something to that extent...right now I'm looking for rather metaphorical ideas for detail. (something which seems rather (...) (22 years ago, 22-Dec-02, to lugnet.castle, lugnet.general)
| | | Re: Please read this!
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| "leonard hoffman" <glencaer@hotmail.com> skrev i meddelandet news:H7JKnC.2o9@lugnet.com... (...) is, (...) plot. (...) a (...) rather (...) I don't agree. Any story giving only the relevant details will feel 'thin'. Some details become relevant just (...) (22 years ago, 22-Dec-02, to lugnet.castle, lugnet.general)
| | | Re: Please read this!
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| In lugnet.castle, Leonard Hoffman writes: Great post! (snipped it, but it's worth rereading...) I know some people don't like Orson Scott Card, and some do. But this book of his _How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy_ is chock full of good advice. (...) (22 years ago, 23-Dec-02, to lugnet.castle, lugnet.general, lugnet.publish)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Please read this!
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| (...) Hmm...I'll probably take a look at it...so many fantasy novels out there, though. (that's why I'm trying to incorporate some sci-fi elements into it. The beginning sections anyway.) (...) Tells you something...did you get bored easily while (...) (22 years ago, 22-Dec-02, to lugnet.castle, lugnet.general)
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