tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629010721405823579.post9181788230521215587..comments2023-10-04T04:54:17.737-07:00Comments on The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes: Description in Popular FictionAlbert Wendlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033652798610714900noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629010721405823579.post-85380098800718031422014-01-07T13:31:32.241-08:002014-01-07T13:31:32.241-08:00Fine thoughts, Cary. The best descriptions serve ...Fine thoughts, Cary. The best descriptions serve more than one function: they certainly can express character (as in someone's point of view of a setting) and they can help in the plot by establishing mood, suspense, foreshadowing, "secrets." And I like your idea of using cinematic techniques in writing effective descriptions--those different types of shots you mentioned designate points of view, "what the different perspectives reveal." It's a useful approach. Albert Wendlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13033652798610714900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629010721405823579.post-18844683703411998792014-01-06T09:50:44.076-08:002014-01-06T09:50:44.076-08:00Good description should reveal as much about our c...Good description should reveal as much about our characters as it does the surroundings. When it does that, it's never boring, and you'll never want to skim those paragraphs.<br /><br />I get in trouble for saying this, but I believe writers can learn a TON about description from film makers. In workshops I like to use cinematic techniques to show effective ways of using description (establishing shots, medium shots, closeups), examining what the different perspectives reveal, and pointing out how we can move beyond simple 'scene-setting' to ways of using description to drive the narrative as effectively as action. <br /><br />And I firmly believe description should never be used as window dressing! Gah! Never. Cary Caffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02497153478198948932noreply@blogger.com