  Short Stories
This week: Ah, Details, Details Edited by: Jay's debut novel is out now!  
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This Issue:
Ah, Details, Details
Some thoughts on story detail and worldbuilding! |
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How much detail is enough, when you are working on a short story? Every word has to matter; as one of my workshop instructors is fond of saying, What she can't carry, she drags--there isn't room for much else before it begins to hold a story back. (Another of my instructors was fond of saying "long enough to cover the subject and short enough to keep it interesting," which has become a guiding principle in a lot of my writing--at least, I hope.)
I spend a lot of time in the science fiction and fantasy camp, where naturally a lot more effort is expended on world-building details that keep the story believable, and it's not always possible for the writer to rely on the reader to understand the topics that are being addressed. It's important to figure out ways to incorporate detail unobtrusively, so that the reader can absorb the world you want them to see without feeling like they are reading a list of items.
There isn't any cut and dried answer to this, other than individual writers' philosophy, but I spent a lot of time thinking about the quandary of how to present information in a story. Where does important and relevant information end and background fluff begin? I've found that adding description or observation within the setting is a good, subtle place to start.
I try to avoid overuse of unfamiliar or overly-specific jargon if I can help it; I'm a sci-fi writer, but I also do a lot of technical writing as a freelancer, and both of these things require a certain amount of precision, but either can become overloaded if there's too much information that isn't given any context. Context is one of the secret-sauce ingredients for good detail--keep it relevant to the story and your reader will feel satisfied when they put the pieces together as the story unfurls.
Plot details should be seamless-- there should be no reason to see them un-tucked from the story content. Settings should have enough detail to give the reader a substantial sense of place without being too boring or too vague. Stories that open with a flowery description of places the reader's been a million times before will have that reader clicking away after a single paragraph.
With characters, the kinds of details that generally don't matter begin with looks. The majority of your audience isn't reading about your lead character because of the color of her eyes or hair. It's a relevant detail, yes, but it's best when it's able to be included as a part of a whole scene. Character details I find the most engaging are the ones that are revealed through dialogue, where the reader learns what each of these people is like through their deeds, actions, and speech.
In general, character details should be allowed to unfurl for the reader so that they can feel attached and get to know them-- it makes the reader feel just as at home with your protagonists as you do. There's nothing more satisfying than a comment from a reader who feels like they "know" your characters--through the details you've provided, you've illustrated to them a person who interested them enough to keep reading. That's a mark of successful storytelling.
Until Next Time,
Take care and Write on!
Jay
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Comments from "Challenges with Creativity"
dogpack:saving 4 premium: DWG  writes:
There are times when I wasn't able to write because of physical and medical challenges. Getting around this situation may or may not be possible even when I am very determined to accomplish writing. You're correct about taking some time to refresh and relax so that I creative juices flow again. Sometimes free writing will shower gems and other treasures. Other times it is best to take a short break and return later when the mind and body and spirit have had a chance to recharge.
These are all great suggestions! I hope your health is improving and allowing you to write more.
brom21 writes:
The main problem is when writing just seems to laborious much like what you said you deal with. But I believe it is those times when we need to write the most. I need to push through these times of writer's block or what other sticky feeling I get. Thanks for the NL.
I know that feeling of needing to push through even when I'm not feeling it--sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Quick-Quill  writes:
I have to work. I HAVE to work. I have to WORK! All I want to do is sit in front of a computer and write. There was a time a few months ago I didn't go into the office. I couldn't find the initiative to even reedit my novel to get self-published. It's still sitting there but I have found a new plot line and I'm working on my crime novel and now I don't have enough time to work, sleep and write.
Work is the eternal bugbear of the writer, I think!  I'm glad some time away from the manuscript has given you some more inspiration, though!
dragonwoman writes:
Thanks for choosing my story "Beauty's Price for this newsletter. I am particularly happy because I am especially challenged by the Character Flaws Contest.
Anytime! I enjoy featuring a broad swath of the WDC world in here.
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Short Stories: July 18, 2018 Issue [#9007]
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