Writing and Speaking > Writing > Bored With Details?
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Article rating : 0.00, 0 votes. Author : Elaine Lemons
I received an email from an acquaintance a while back inviting me to his web page to read his latest works. I recently visited the site and began reading. The first chapter I read was rather dull and I had a difficult time keeping my mind on the story. I found myself skimming parts just to get to the good stuff. The author had failed to keep my attention.
Several chapters later I was lost with the story. I had to go back and reread several dull and over descriptive paragraphs just to figure out the connection between two characters. The little detail was tucked in a large paragraph describing a scene. He did a good job 'showing' the events taking place in the living room, but gee whiz, I didn't need to know every single thing that was in the room!
I realized that by skimming the tiresome text that I may be missing more important elements of the story. So, I started over. My mind was screaming, "ok, I see it, but get on with it!"
With that in mind, I sat down at my computer the other night to work on a story. I had my mind set on 'Show, Don't Tell'. I was determined to get it down right. I typed away, but soon discovered that I was boring myself. I stared at the screen and knew that if I were bored then the reader definitely would be. I realized that I was getting carried away. I read back over my text thinking as a reader. I knew after reading the first three paragraphs that I did indeed go overboard. I deleted everything, but couldn't bring myself to start again.
I began thinking about 'showing' as a reader. I know when I'm reading a story I want it to capture my interest. I don't want to be bogged down with so many details. Sure, I want the author to show me, but don't waste my time or put me to sleep with a whole page of showing me one aspect. Show me some Drama!
I think trying to show the reader every detail all at once is a mistake. You don't have to show every single thing about a character or the setting. Give the reader a good visual and add to it if necessary. You can also slip details in with dialogue. Whatever works for the story to keep it moving is your best answer. Showing does dramatize, but too much can be distracting. It can also slow the drama down. Best advice is to read your story out loud as if you were reading to an audience. Think about what details are important to the reader at that moment and which can wait until later. Think like a reader and not the author of your own piece.
Elaine Lemons is an author on
Writing.Com ( http://www.Writing.Com/ ).
To read more of her writings visit her portfolio: http://www.writing.com/authors/october2002
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