Description is a useful tool for bringing a story to life but should not be overdone. Here are some useful tips which can improve anybody’s creative writing.
Ditch the Mundane
Don’t use bland descriptions such as the dog was brown or her hair was dark blonde. Introduce depth and texture by saying the Labrador was the shade of melted chocolate or her hair was the color of caramel fudge.
Use Unusual Similes
A simile is a comparison of two unlike things, typically marked by use of "like", "as" or "than.” Look for unusual comparisons such as: Her hair hung like grey cobwebs. He was as thin as an icicle melting in the sun. The parrot was more colorful than the Mardi Gras.
Use Unusual Metaphors
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else: The dog was a shaggy carpet. The woman was a plump raisin, wrinkled and dark. The bookshelf was a sentinel, guarding the doorway.
Don’t use Clichés
Clichés are words or expressions that have lost their freshness and originality through continual use. They are easy to recognize and should be avoided at all cost. Look out for things like brown as a berry, hot as hell and busy as a bee.
Cut Unnecessary Words
A word that can often be cut is “that”. Read the story out loud and see what else can be cut without losing the effect. Below is an example of some sentences before and after cutting.
The birds sang sweet songs as they huddled on the perch that they preferred.
The birds sang sweet songs as they huddled on the perch they preferred.
She walked out into the warm air.
She walked out into warm air.
Avoid Adverbs
An adverb is a word which modifies a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. Editors hate them. They are easy to recognize as they normally end in ly. Here are some examples:
She ran slowly.
The dog howled loudly.
He stomped out angrily.
It is easy to rephrase a sentence to retain the meaning but remove the adverb.
She ran at a slow pace.
The dog’s howls rent the air.
He stomped out, anger revealed in every movement.
Involve the Senses
Use descriptions that stir all five senses:
Touch – The material felt like liquid silk against her skin.
Sight – The sea was a mixture of turquoise and jade, sprinkled with diamonds.
Smell – The pungent aroma of curry permeated the restaurant.
Taste – The lemon juice soured her tongue.
Hearing – The sounds of the harp cascaded over her ears like ripples of water.
Creative writing is just that; a form of writing that uses language to create word pictures in a person’s mind. A writer can pen a few sentences and through word choice, can transport the reader to a different world. It just takes an understanding of language and lots of practice.
Debbie Roome - Debbie Roome is an award-winning freelance writer, journalist and novelist with over 25 years experience.
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