How to Write Engaging Descriptions in Fiction

Many writers dread writing descriptions. It’s difficult to know what to include, and it requires a lot of mental energy to summon interesting details from one’s imagination. Description can involve the setting, an object, a character, actions, and even internal thoughts. It might entail an artfully placed sentence dancing between dialogue; a paragraph that grounds the reader in the scene; or pages of prose that sink deep into a particular subject.

Here, I share five guiding principles for describing a scene, along with five additional advanced strategies with in-depth examples.

Text version of this video: https://quotidianwriter.medium.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-writing-engaging-descriptions-in-fiction-91cefb2b4477

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My Published Stories and Poems: https://www.quotidianwriter.com/my-writing
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TL;DR PRESS
Website: https://tldrpress.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLDRpress
Anthologies: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=digital-text&rh=p_27%3ATL%3BDR+Press&s=relevancerank&text=TL%3BDR+Press&ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1

SARAH L. HAWTHORN
Short Story – “A Doe in Crown Land” in QUEER BLADES: https://www.amazon.com/Queer-Blades-Anthology-LGBTQIA2-Adventure/dp/B09QP2364R/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=9798405485089&linkCode=qs&qid=1659986113&s=books&sr=1-1
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/slhawthorn

JOE BUTLER
Novels – OF ALL POSSIBILITIES and STRANGE DAYS IN THE HOUSE OF AUGUST: https://www.amazon.com/All-Possibilities-Joe-Butler-ebook/dp/B0957T3B9B/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1P8LU0TVRAE85&keywords=OF+ALL+POSSIBILITIES&qid=1659985771&sprefix=of+all+possibilities+%2Caps%2C75&sr=8-2
Short Story – “A Small Life” in BANDIT FICTION: https://payhip.com/b/x0zN
Website: https://writelikeashark.com
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/writelikeashark

MIA V. MOSS
Novella – MAI TAIS FOR THE LOST: https://www.amazon.com/Mai-Tais-Lost-Mia-Moss-ebook/dp/B09WZJX1B6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JYW7YN5VT50S&keywords=mai+tais+for+the+lost&qid=1659985743&sprefix=mai+tais+for+the+lost%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1
Short Story – “The Radiant Web” in STARSHIPSOFA: http://www.starshipsofa.com/blog/2021/01/06/starshipsofa-no-651-mia-moss/
Website: https://www.magicrobotcarnival.com
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/atomicjackalope

ALEX LAUREL LANZ
Short Story – “Every Little Hair on Your Head” in SCARE STREET: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9T99R1H?tag=socialmediass-20&keywords=scary+horror+ghost+supernatural+stories
Short Story – “The Only Way Out Is Through” in TALES TO TERRIFY: https://talestoterrify.com/episodes/516-erik-mchatton-alex-laurel-lanz/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexlaurellanz

LYLE ENRIGHT
Short Story — “Bargaining” in SHORT EDITION:
https://short-edition.com/en/story/short-fiction/bargaining
Short Story — “Road Rage” in SPECULATIVE CITY:
https://speculativecity.com/fiction/road-rage/
Substack: https://lenright.substack.com
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/YnysDyn

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

“Description: Narrative Lensing” by David F. Shultz: https://davidfshultz.com/2017/03/26/description-narrative-lensing/

“On Writing: Great Character Descriptions!” by Hello Future Me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL0q15Kkews

“Exile” by Carolyn Forché (poem): https://www.lyrikline.org/en/poems/exile-12780

MAI TAIS FOR THE LOST excerpt narration by Simone Stivi: https://www.fiverr.com/listeninglydia?source=order_page_details_seller_link

"Every Little Hair on Your Head" excerpt narration by Liz Petersen:
https://www.fiverr.com/girlg0yle?source=order_page_summary_seller_link

Opening Animation by Vitor A. Dupont: https://www.behance.net/vitordupont

Title and End Music: “Clockwork” by Vindsvept – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zl4EGLoiI8&t=83s

Background Music by Vindsvept:
+ “Keeper of the Forest”
+ “The Journey Home”
+ “Leaving the Dream”
+ “Alone”
+ “Skymning”
+ “Lycanthropy”
+ “Light the Bonfire”
+ “Deliverance”
+ “Wildfire, part two”
+ “Spirit of the Wind”
+ “The Forgotten Forest”
+ “Chasing Shadows”

Defining Descriptive Writing (0:00)
1. Focus on Details Specific to the Point of View (1:04)
2. Include the Senses (2:30)
3. Favor Strong Verbs and Adjectives (4:10)
4. Move the Narrative Forward (6:41)
5. Don’t Describe Everything (8:50)
6. Add a Character-Based Layer (10:13)
7. Imagine the Scene from a Fixed Point (14:52)
8. Decide How You Want the Scene to Feel (18:46)
9. Pair Descriptions with Actions (24:13)
10. Connect Similes and Metaphors to the Story World (28:42)
Descriptive Writing Exercise (32:41)

Видео How to Write Engaging Descriptions in Fiction канала Diane Callahan - Quotidian Writer