There are different methods of acquiring the language of detail in the stories we write. Often I write the story with just enough detail that is bubbling in my head as a video or sequence of events the character is living through. I often see it as a movie - but not a movie in precise detail, with rich backgrounds or vivid colours. I see the protagonist in a space, doing things, talking to people. I follow them around.
The job of adding detail and specificity comes later - in perhaps the third or fourth draft after the plot has been streamlined, the structure working and I know I’m not going to cut or add chapters, remove characters or add new ones. When the story is flowing as a river, I tend to then populate the language with just enough sensory and background detail that is relevant and appropriate to the story I’m telling.
To be honest, it is not this structured or regimented either. Sometimes when I’m writing a scene, and I know I’m super-imposing a place or a person I know on to the character, the detail might appear as I write the first draft. But mostly for me, the adding of the detail is like getting dressed after I’ve chosen the outfit for a specific destination / outing / adventure I’ve planned. A scarf might be appropriate on some days whereas I might add a bangle or bracelet or a bindi at other times.
Regardless of when I do it, I have a “play” techniques to get rich descriptions, precise details and hardworking adjectives into the language.
The first one is writing lists - this is a one-off play activity I might do when I’m immersed in writing a story and I want to take a break but don’t leave the project. So I might just sit on the sofa and write lists related to different aspects of the story.
Here are some examples:
Write a list of adjectives to describe the place of the story
Write a list of objects the character carries in their pockets
Write a list of objects in the house they hold dear
List smells that are in this setting.
List foods that this character will love to eat.
As a rule I’ll write 10-20 items in each list to drain the shallow brain and dig deeper into my memory.
The second method is more of a practice - a regularly thing for a short while or for a duration. In this method, I keep a daily record of details that I can capture only by living through the day.
For example:
Every day for 30 days -
a) Name one memorable smell from the day
b) Name one food you tried today along with a description of the texture
c) Describe one person you met today
d) Name a tree or a flower or an insect you observed today. What is their Latin Name - look it up! Describe using strong adjectives.
This kind of record I’d force myself to keep for a month. Or during a holiday - whatever I fancy. Often these kind of exercises help me when I’m unable to write my work in progress or a new project because I’m too busy with life or unwell or just too much going on. It’s my comfort blanket of creativity.
It’s also a great exercise to do it as a bedtime routine - the end of the day journal. And as these are acquired by living through life and over a period of time, they will have more authenticity - true to the time you captured it and you didn’t force it out of your subconscious.
These are my methods of recollecting detail and recording them in memory. My kind of INSIDE OUT in a way!
Do you think you will try these methods? What are yours? Share with me!
I tend to work the other way around, river, flow, play, heart first. And yet notice how I need to focus on structure development skills. So will switch to this and see where I go. Love the ideas of applying 30 days, play and bedtime routine.