Who describes the dog? Your MC or the handler of the dog? The handler might mention it. I knew a lady who bred fila brasilieros who loved to find or create any reason to say fila brasiliero. It was like her little claim to fame. The thing she could say that would always draw a puzzled look, which then gave her the segue of which she never tired, explaining the history of the fila brasiliero. It's the kind of thing someone who hasn't much else to offer in the way of conversation latches on to. Is your dog handler maybe "that person".
This. Descriptions should stay in character for the person doing the describing. Not only what that person can perceive with his or her five senses, but what that person will consciously take notice of in that situation. A particular male character, when describing a woman, might not notice her face at all, but will fondly and in exquisite detail describe her contours netween her knees and he shoulders. Another character will describe her clothing, accessories, and of course her shoes. This goes for the narrator as well. The narrator is a (usually) unseen character who needs to be developed with every but as much care as your principal characters.
If you need something specific, like that it was missing one paw... include it. Something that will be critical later? Include it. Otherwise, sketch the dog. Don't paint it. Look to Hemingway, for how descriptive you need to be. Amazingly, less is more. If you let your reader do the imagining, they will create their own terrifyingly ferocious dog. And they will do it for you! Just guide their imagery with the barest basics. Describe the effect of the dog... or its effects on the surroundings. "The air itself seemed to chill as the impossibly tall and powerful dog, filled the doorway. Everything seemed to stop and sound ceased as it padded silently across the threshold. It resembled nothing so much as one of those thick statues of short-eared, muscular dogs that guard the doorways to Buddhist temples."
A book I read when I am having difficulty sleeping is called "Midworld" by Alan Dean Foster. Your mind fills with images of the most lush tropical rain forest. Filled with greens of every hue, bright colors and vivid imagery, your thoughts cannot help but be removed and replaced by this incredible visual story. But there is very little actual description of what things look like. Its a short, two day read, if you ever want to check it out. Out of print, so Amazon [used] is the only way to go. "Avatar" was based heavily on that book (as well as others), I believe. And to be fair, Avatar got very close to the imagery that your head will be overflowing with, as a result of that book
I don't see why you can't do both. Especially if you have an occasion to have two characters engage in dialogue about the dog. To my untrained, uninformed eye, the dog looks kind of like a pit bull. (For all I know it is, and Presa canario is just a different name.) But you could have an exchange something like: "Whoa, look out! There's a pit bull over there by the door." "That's not a pit bull. It's a presa canario." "Whatever. He looks like a pit bull to me." Then you could either continue in conversation or go into narrative or thoughts about the stout, muscularity of the dog, etc. I'd suggest describing it as best you can, but throw in the name if you really want that specific dog. People who know will get it right away, and those who are curious will google. The rest of us will (should) be content with your description. We know generally what guard dogs look like.
I definitely describe the dog's characteristics, but in my mind I want it to be a Presa. The breed was made (in)famous in 2001 when Diane Whipple was mauled to death by a pair named Bane and Hera. Not only the physical prowess of the dog is important, but the reputation earned by this killing matches the underlying evil of the town.
Then, as Liz pints out, you may need to do both. You can't count on the dog's "infamy" to carry coin with the reader. I'ld never heard of the dog until this conversation nor do I know who Diane Whipple is and I'm pretty up on events in the world.
If the character is one to know specific dog breeds or have some good reason for knowing this particular breed, put it in. People can Google the word if they don't know it and learn something.
I have a monster in one of my stories that I am trying to describe. When I describe the monster's face in my mind: It's face looks like somebody dunked a kangaroo's head in acid and pulled its ears back taut and its teeth are like those of a Goliath tiger fish. I know this description works for me, but not for readers, at least those who are unfamiliar with tiger fish. How descriptive do you get before you detract from the reader's imagination and start forcing them to see what you see? Not actual examples, but examples none the less Long, pointed teeth Yellowed conical teeth designed for piercing and ripping flesh Razor sharp, interlocking fangs so long they bore holes in the opposing jaw Pointed enamel, interlocking fangs about two inches in length curved slightly backwards to keep victims from escaping or Teeth like a tigerfish? Teeth in question, in case you're interested: Spoiler
Ah, the infamous Nope Fish from the I Will Never Go There River in Fuckthatistan. I personally try not to go too descriptive in something that should be as emotive as what you are describing. I would reach for emotive or visceral impression more than exact description.
I think that this might be one of my problems when describing things. I tell in list form what I am seeing instead of feeling; probably because what I am imagining is evoking my emotion. This monster lowers himself in front of your face. You can see bits of your sister still caught between its teeth and the coppery aroma of blood lingers on its breath. Still, you need to know what it looks like...
Have you ever seen the show Amazing Stories? The one where the family was held prisoner by the child who when he wished something to happen it would come true? Well he wished for a rabbit to act like the Tasmanian devil and it was real creepy looking. I can find a picture but that reminds me of what you are talking about.
Not sure if there's already a similar thread, but I had a look and couldn't find one. So, is there a description that you've ever written that you just absolutely love, and think it's brilliant? Is it one of the things you are most proud of as a writer? Then share it here! That way we can all learn from each other and improve. So the reason I created this thread is because I really want to share a paragraph I just wrote, and would love to see some of everyones awesome descriptions! So here's mine. "The street was a living hell. The conflagration had spread across several houses, unchecked by the ferocious storm. The light of the flames eerily illuminated the otherwise dark street. The crack of splitting wood accompanied the collapsing of the burning houses, and the boom of thunder could be heard through the rain. While the downpour was heavy enough to cause a flood, it appeared to have no effect on the holocaust that surrounded him."
I like the idea of this post! This is the second paragraph of a (long) short story I'm working on, and it has a noticeably different pace and description style than the rest of the story because it condenses what could be a whole scene with dialogue into a quick description. I've noticed and appreciated that some books would describe a scene and its dialogue (what comes to mind are some short stories of James Joyce's Dubliners) rather than play out out the dialogue, so I went for that style here. "Earlier that week, John Scrivens, his coworker and friend at the Department, had invited Eliot to a meeting of what he referred to as a group of likeminded individuals. Eliot had no idea what that meant, and told John that he wasn’t comfortable by the sound of it. But his apprehensions were met with jovial instance, despite hardly clarifying the nature of the meeting. He begrudgingly agreed to attend one meeting, on the condition that he would not be obligated to do anything he didn’t want to do. John assured him that nothing of that sort would occur, and that he would certainly find a lot in common with the members. He insisted, however, that Eliot should not tell anyone where he was going, and to be mindful of anyone following him."
Hmmm. Not sure about description but I was pretty proud of the following snippet of dialogue: "Do you think we will always be this happy?" "Only fairy tales have happy endings." "Then let's make sure this never ends." I'm also quite proud of part of a piece of dialogue which now appears on a mug, and that part is: "I know you use Cherry Coke lip balm, I get a taste every time I kiss you."
Nice! That's great dialogue. It reminds me of a quote by Stephen King about happy endings I'll find it later.
Just curious, like the title says what do you like describing the most? I love colors, coming up with wild color descriptions. Probably harkens back to my Crayola caddy days - . I also love clothing descriptions but half the time I can't work them in. Especially not in my short stories the characters are too busy. I also like to use describe setting as a way to hint at emotion. Any scenes that you especially love to get creative with?
I like to describe (write) quick back and forth repartee. It's not always appropriate, though. I'm often told (or discover myself) that my actors are sitting on a rather bare stage, witty as they may be.
I definitely and easily go overboard with describing settings and key elements. I keep cutting but it never seems like enough.
