A Lesson in Describing

I asked a bunch of my friends what they liked most about my writing and they pretty much all said they love my descriptions and imagery because it makes them feel like they're there, in not so many words.  So I decided I'd take you through how I describe scenes to create my imagery.  I think it would be great if you got something to write with and did these steps along with me.


Step One: Decide what you're describing

This may seem fairly self explanatory, but if you're doing this as you read then you're going to have to pick something to describe.  I would suggest whatever space you are in now.  Is it your bedroom? Kitchen? Lounge? Are you outside? I'm in my bedroom.


Step Two: Choose your tense and point of view

Are you describing a scene that happened or a scene that's happening?  For this example I'm going to describe the room I am sitting in now, so present tense.  First person or third person? Are you going to describe the scene as you see it, or as an omniscient being would see it?  I'm going to write in first person.


Step Three: Consider the FIVE SENSES (this is the 2nd most important step)

In order to effectively describe a scene, it is important to make sure you cover what you can feel, see, smell, hear, and maybe even taste (although taste is not as important unless you've decided to describe what you are eating).  That way you stimulate the reader's brain to recreate those feelings and senses so that it feels like they're in the scene, experiencing the same things as the character.  Right now I can feel the keys of my laptop on my fingers and the ache of my shoulders from sitting at my laptop for too long (whoops).  I can see the light of my laptop reflecting off my white desk.  I can smell coffee and thai curry.   I can hear my Dad banging pots and something sizzling in the kitchen.


Step Four: Remember that adjectives exist

Sometimes we forget that there are words to describe these things around us, or sometimes we can't remember that one word we're looking for, or we've used the same word too many times.  Well, come on, we live in a world where such incredible (and scary) technology is right at our fingertips.  ASK GOOGLE FOR SYNONYMS!  The warmth radiating off my laptop seeps into my frigid fingers as I type.


Step Five: Actually write something (this is the most important step)

The best advice for a writer is to tell them to actually write something.  Inspiration is a fickle friend, so describing what's around you is the best way to keep writer's block at bay.  Plus you remember things better because you can go back and read what you wrote!

I'm going to use my five steps to write an example for you.  Then I'd love you to try, and post your paragraph in the comments if you want.  If you're describing a scene in a story you're writing then you can easily just start at step three because hopefully you've already established the first two.

My laptop radiates warmth that seeps into my frigid fingers as I type, my shoulders aching with the strain of sitting hunched over for too long.  The harsh, white, glaring light makes me squint to see the words on the screen.  Maybe I should turn the brightness down, but I have to keep writing.  I hear a loud crash from the kitchen, Dad must have dropped something again, at least I know where I get the clumsiness from.  The warm, strong scent of coffee permeates my chilled room, offset by hints of thai spices.  The pressing urge to pee overcomes me and I am persuaded to stop typing, publish my blog post, and go to the bathroom.


Well, there you go, hopefully you learnt something or just found this stupid and entertaining.
Until next time, 
Love, Helen xx