An exercise in descriptions

Subject: An exercise in descriptions Fri May 16, 2008 5:49 pm

Just an idea.
When we write we try to describe things so
that the reader can visualize the scene or get the feeling of the situation.

I think it might be fun to write a
description on any number of things or emotions.

Description of things:
1. A mountain range, i.e., the Rocky
Mountains, but at a specific location.
2. A river (a particular river)
3. A street, a house, a car, etc.,
4. A person (male, female, old, young,)

Feelings about things:
1. Horrified
2. Shocked
3. Distressed
4. Happy

Any other ideas/suggestions.
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Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1784 Location : UK

I'm cooking supper at the moment but I'll have a crack at this later -- it might be tomorrow before I post my attempts at the four descriptions and four feelings.
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Fri May 16, 2008 6:35 pm

How about this for an exercise to try. Get a photo and try to completely describe the image in the photo using words such that one reading those words would have a pritty good visualization of that image. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. It would be interesting to see if it actually takes a thousand words to discribe the avarage photo.

Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Fri May 16, 2008 8:12 pm

I don't mean any disrespect of dispute here, but I have never understood why people do exercises instead of working on these things within work they're doing.

I just finished writing a chapter and had three of four places where I ended up scratching my head and trying on several different descriptions for something.

This seems to be more practical to me than trying to describe a river or mountain or picture. Maybe that will come up in my next book.
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Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Sat May 17, 2008 5:36 am

I’m trying to understand how on a writers
forum, discussions about chocolate or pizza would be more helpful than
description about scenes or feelings. I
happen to like both of them. As with
any thread, one should just ignore what doesn’t interest them.

On my list of “feelings about things” I
forgot #5 - Anger.
Here's a description of the feeling of anger:

“The redness of his face was not from the
sun. It started as a slow burn and
crept through his entire body. The rise
and fall of his chest was controlled with deep
breaths. He clenched and unclenched his
fists; beads of perspiration formed on his forehead as the fury took
hold. Unless he was diverted
immediately, he would seek release for the anger that had built up within
him.
He slowly turned and faced his
tormentor…..”
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Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Sat May 17, 2008 9:28 am

Abe, I totally agree. However, several have stated they write only for
fun and enjoyment, that they're not interested in improving, so I can't see
the point of continuing discussions on writing. I had thought of
starting more threads on writing techniques, blurbs, queries, but have
lost interest. Perhaps I got tired of arguing.

There are so many things we, as writers, need to learn, such as
taglines, improving our queries and synopses, that it seems to me a
writers' forum would be the place to post sections for advice and
suggestions, but I guess not.

As one said, and I paraphrase: if a writer keeps getting rejections, perhaps he/she should face the fact they can't write.

Another says it's almost impossible to break into the majors, so why try.

So indeed, why try?
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Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1784 Location : UK

You guess wrong Brenda! Please start as many threads as you like about writing.

I didn't write anything new for Abe's writing exercise but this is a quote from my recently published book:

A Mountain Range:

“As we travelled along Chief Mountain International Highway, the primary route between the two parks, we climbed over glacial debris and drove through aspen groves and lodgepole pine forests with magnificent views ahead of Chief Mountain.

The road eventually crossed the international boundary and gave the first clear view of Mount Cleveland, the highest mountain in the area at over ten thousand feet. The mountain road itself climbs up to over six thousand feet.

At one of the view points along the route, we stopped to stretch our legs and walked around in the clear mountain air. In the distance we spotted mountain goats, motionless on a sheer rock face, thousands of feet above us. Further still, in the far distance, we glimpsed the ice fields of a glacier glistening in the early evening sunshine.”

Chapter Fifteen, A Common Language, The Power of Persuasion by Shelagh Watkins © 2008
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Sat May 17, 2008 9:40 am

Good for you, Shelagh. And I love your passage. A glacier? How wonderful it would be to see one.
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Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Sat May 17, 2008 2:21 pm

Egads folks, as a forum for writing and writer's I would hope we have plenty of tech talk. I don't actually see where people do not wish to improve at all! Just because people don't wish to become a best selling author or they write part time does not imply they don't want to do it well, and when I read through people's posts here I see a desire to learn all over the place.
I know for me personally that since I write all day I like to visit and talk about non-related or semi-related things because by the time I am through "work" I am sometimes very tired of writing, and almost tired of reading too. The digressions to food simply remind us that we all have to eat, and become a common theme to chat around that doesn't require a whole lot of cerebral power, but still allow us to connect as human beings.
I think your exercise is great Abe, and if I was in the mood I would certainly take part. I may yet now my feathers are feeling somewhat ruffled. That's why having these kinds of ideas make this forum so valuable; there is a little something for everyone, and people take or leave what they feel like.
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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Sat May 17, 2008 2:51 pm

Thanks all of you. Nice to know I'm not the Lone Ranger. Of course with a good sidekick, perhaps riding the range wouldn't be so lonely.

I like the description of the mountains. What I'm trying to do it to paint a word picture that people can actually see or feel it. I do my best but practice and seeing how others use certain expressions can be helpful.

There is one emotion or event that I think defies description. I'm a bit embarrased to mention it, but it is one emoiton that needs to be experienced - not described.
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Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Sat May 17, 2008 3:55 pm

I’m trying to understand how on a writers
forum, discussions about chocolate or pizza would be more helpful

Good point

As with any thread, one should just ignore what doesn’t interest them.

I was interested enough to ask why
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Four Star Member Joined : 17 Jan 2008 Posts : 203

"However, several have stated they write only for fun and enjoyment, that they're not interested in improving, so I can't see the point of continuing discussions on writing."

Please repost something where someone has said this.

Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Sat May 17, 2008 4:08 pm

I think the exercises are good practice and help us hone our skills, whether we write for fun, profit or both. I was taught that anything worth doing is worth doing well. I just haven't had the time to participate on this thread. Sorry Abe. But don't stop. Many of us are interested. I've just been busy.

And I agree with Pam, this forum serves many purposes, including fun and instruction. Some days it is my only social interaction.
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

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Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Sat May 17, 2008 4:38 pm

Subject: Re: An exercise in descriptions Sat May 17, 2008 4:41 pm

Oh! Oh! Oh! Ahhhhhh.
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