1. Lorravan

    Lorravan Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2013
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco

    How much detail is TOO much?

    Discussion in 'Setting Development' started by Lorravan, Apr 9, 2013.

    Hey guys, quick question:
    When it comes to describing a scene, how much detail is too much? Sometimes I'll be trying to describe an area that a character is in and find myself just throwing out words and not knowing when to stop with the details. I mean, I get the the reader doesn't need to know every square inch of the house, but still... where do I stop?
     
  2. Mithrandir

    Mithrandir New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2012
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    16
    Location:
    In the general vicinity of the Atlantic Ocean
    Think about what your character would actually notice (and in what order). Then consider whether the details are relevant, or if they create a mood or image that is particularly striking.
     
  3. funkybassmannick

    funkybassmannick New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2011
    Messages:
    828
    Likes Received:
    31
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    You should make sure that each detail does at least TWO of the following: Develop setting, develop character, develop theme, develop plot.

    If it only develops setting, for example, it is not necessary. Keep in mind that the details that our characters notice can say a lot about them. To be stereotypical, a man might notice a woman's skirt, while a woman might notice her purse. (Flipping these could lead to more interesting and less stereotypical characters).

    With each detail, ask yourself: why is this detail necessary for the plot? How can I make it do more?
     
    Some Guy, TerraIncognita and Pheonix like this.
  4. Lorravan

    Lorravan Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2013
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Thanks! I will definitely take that into account. I can definitely use this to help give personality to my characters now! :D
     
  5. Thornesque

    Thornesque Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2012
    Messages:
    452
    Likes Received:
    71
    Location:
    Michigan, USA
    I adore this response. :love: Kudos.
     
    1 person likes this.
  6. blahfeld

    blahfeld New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2013
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    Same. There should be a "like" or "thumbs up" button :)
     
    Xoic likes this.
  7. Nee

    Nee Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
    Messages:
    689
    Likes Received:
    24
    It's too much detail when it impedes the forward momentum of the story.
     
  8. TerraIncognita

    TerraIncognita Aggressively Nice Person Contributor

    Joined:
    May 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,332
    Likes Received:
    39
    Location:
    Texas
    I love this and completely agree.

    To expand on this-

    Think about what is the character looking at? The character is not going to look at the entire room if it's a room they go into all the time. Think about how you observe things when you go into a new place. Most people do sort of a quick sweep and focus in on things that are more relevant to them.

    Ex- I go into a person's room for the first time and I glance around to see what's in it. I will probably focus more on their personal items because I feel it tells me something about the person. I'm a very sentimental person as well so that makes sense that I would look at what someone else held dear enough to display in their room.
     
  9. A.Tad.of.Conrad

    A.Tad.of.Conrad New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2013
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    1
    This is a problem I have as well. I try to bring up what my MC would find most important while trying to be subtle about symbolism and foreshadowing.

    I just always try to be, above all things, orienting and descriptive.
     
  10. Rebel Yellow

    Rebel Yellow Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2012
    Messages:
    282
    Likes Received:
    10
    Location:
    Quebec
    I believe there is a reputation system which serves the same function. :)
     
  11. erebh

    erebh Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2013
    Messages:
    2,642
    Likes Received:
    481
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I remeber in Dragon Tattoo Larsson threw in stuff about the furniture being from Ikea - it had absolutely no bearing on the story but he had to go into every non-detail of the bland table and chairs. For the life of me I don't know why and it annoyed me. Had there been a fight where the cheap flat pack table smashed with ease as the burglar landed face down on it then he could be forgiven but there wasn't.

    Unimportant description that doesn't move the plot is not good.
     
  12. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    1 more word than the scene/plot calls for...
     
  13. T.Trian

    T.Trian Overly Pompous Bastard Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2013
    Messages:
    2,253
    Likes Received:
    1,470
    Location:
    Mushroom Land
    I think the amount of adequate description depends a lot on the scene itself: if somebody is running through a familiar room, trying to escape a violent burglar, they are likely to pay less attention to details around them than they would if they were a detective examining the room the next day with all the time in the world to check out tiny details.
     
  14. Fullmetal Xeno

    Fullmetal Xeno Protector of Literature Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2011
    Messages:
    1,361
    Likes Received:
    142
    Location:
    Kingdom of Austniad
    If you have so much detail that you can beat Robert Jordan then we have a problem...
     
  15. Logik

    Logik Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2011
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    VA
    If it's something the character would comment on or have an attitude towards, that's usually enough.
     
  16. JayReader25

    JayReader25 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2013
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    USA
    I would say that your writing would be too descriptive if you find your descriptions stopping character's dialogue and the character's thoughts as well. I had this problem with my novel sometimes you have to look back at a part you haven't edited in awhile and be sure to check for the flow of your story. Lastly, sometimes keeping it simple is a solution to this problem. Put yourself in the readers place once and awhile.
     
  17. Quoux

    Quoux Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2013
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Some undefined mental state
    There cannot be too much detail. There can only be too much unwarranted nonsense (however if the nonsense is warranted, by all means proceed :-D).

    I don't believe in telling writers how to write; I'll do my best to shed some light (with a wet match and a rusty lighter). I assume we are talking about a normal story, not some artistic jibber-jabber that could be seen written by Kurt Vonnegut or Samuel Beckett. In this sense the artistic properties still apply; however there are rules (remember: one must know the rules to break the rules). Try, for one, giving a description of the weather or climate. And then the atmosphere. And then the people. "TOO" much description can be located when you forget where you were going with the story... or when it makes your eyes tired to read.

    Never let your eyes get tired of reading your own story! Good writing should be like a hot cup of joe: It keeps you awake and coming back for more! (crashing afterward is optional)

    Another way to tell is this: what element will it apply to. Your basic literary elements are: Plot progression, clarity, Mood/Atmosphere, theme, tropes, symbolism, (and for poetry writers: prosody). If you can complete these factions; you've got yourself some good description. But since accomplishing all of these elements at once is comparatively similar to catching six plates falling from the sky (in a cartoon-like manner I'd hope), try to catch as many plates as you have hands; that is to say at least try to accomplish two elements. If you think you are really good, you could attempt to catch a third plate on your head or foot, and accomplish three elements.

    Artistic people have it different, you see. And if you are one, you'd know ;) feel free to take your details as far as you want.
     
    1 person likes this.
  18. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    Not true. There can be too much of anything.

    If detail does not materially add to the story, it is too much. The subtlety arises in determining whether the detail does materially add to the story. The contribuion may be modulation of pace, or establishment of atmosphere.

    What Maia said is absolutely correct. However it takes judgement that comes with experience to apply properly. It's not a principal that can be applied mechanically.
     
  19. Quoux

    Quoux Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2013
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Some undefined mental state
    Nonsense would naturally refer to what hinders the story :-D
     
  20. funkybassmannick

    funkybassmannick New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2011
    Messages:
    828
    Likes Received:
    31
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Then your definition of "Detail" is inaccurate. Details can be nonsensical/unwarranted. These are not mutually exclusive ideas.
     
  21. Mans

    Mans Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2012
    Messages:
    1,073
    Likes Received:
    593
    Location:
    Iran
    I think you can continue describing until you feel it is enough that the readers can imagine the view you are transferring to their mind. It is not necessary you describe the details which is not relative to the story path anymore. For instance, when you are writing a story about a group of gangs that they are attacking to a bank and in that situation the bank manager is writing a letter to an office (before attacking ), it is not necessary you explain what he is writing in his letter, because it is out of the story path and doesn't make any sense for readers. You can just describe : " the manager of the bank was writing a letter " not more.
     
  22. Quoux

    Quoux Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2013
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Some undefined mental state

    Really? You said yourself that they had to apply to two of a certain number of elements (which it seems I also said). Unwarranted would be the lack of application to any element. I went in to explain it in my post, using a poor comparison to catching plates :-D

    And I love nonsense! That's why I encouraged it! But if it is completely irrelevant to any element, it would be... Unwarranted, and therefore hinder the story.
     
  23. funkybassmannick

    funkybassmannick New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2011
    Messages:
    828
    Likes Received:
    31
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    I'm not following what you're saying then. How can you say there "cannot be too much detail" and also say, "'TOO' much description can be located when you forget where you are going in your story?" These seem inherently contradictory.

    I agree with the second sentiment, though.
     
  24. Quoux

    Quoux Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2013
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Some undefined mental state
    When you forget where you are going in the story, your description has become unwarranted nonsense. Quotes were placed around "TOO" because I was using OP's words.
     
  25. TWErvin2

    TWErvin2 Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2006
    Messages:
    3,374
    Likes Received:
    1,629
    Location:
    Ohio, USA
    When the writer becomes too controlling, stifling the readers' imagnation and hindering their participation in the experience.
     
    Some Guy likes this.

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice