I Have Something For You

I have a new assignment for you.

Nothing major.

It’s only an exercise to make your descriptive abilities stronger.

Wherever you are right now, take a look around.  Choose a piece of furniture.

Now, describe it.  In detail.

I’ve chosen my desk chair.  It has a vinyl-type upholstery.  The upholstery, and the chair in general, is black.  The chair has arms, and the arms are made of a sturdy, hard black plastic material, partially covered with the same upholstery, and they’re padded.  The chair swivels, and rocks.  It’s supported by a base made of that same sturdy, hard plastic, and the bottom has five legs that spread out in a starfish-shaped pattern.  The chair has casters that make it easy to roll.

Does that paint enough of a word picture for you to see my desk chair in your mind?

Writing descriptions isn’t that hard.  You only have to take the time, and the words, to describe enough so that your reader can picture the item you’re describing.  If the item you mention in your writing isn’t important enough to warrant a full description, you can, of course, use fewer words – just give a general description.  For example:  My desk chair is black, and it rolls.

But, with a description like that, for all you know, my chair is strapped to roller skates, and is a black recliner held together with duct tape and chewing gum, colored in with a black Sharpie.

When it’s important, describe it.  In detail.

When it isn’t, be as generic as possible.

Your readers will thank you.

Keep reading!

Michael  (T. M.)