5 Ways to Write Better Descriptions for Creative Writers

5 Tips for Writing Better Descriptions for Creative Writers

This is part one of a two part series on how to write better descriptions of characters, locations, physical sensations, etc. Please subscribe so you don't miss the next video!

[biglogan]

"micromanaging the reader's imagination" ... solid gold

[luiza]

You're the only YouTuber whose videos I watch right away. Your tips are always relevant and you have such a clear way of explaining. No one does it like you. Thank you for yet another great video!

[Exayevie]

My favorite other-sensory description of hot weather is from the first page of We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Haeberlin: "The heat's so bad out here the crickets are screaming for grace."

[SysterYster]

In the first example, i think I'd have described it as something like: Ahead lay soft, rolling grass hills against a backdrop of autumn-coloured forest and far-off blue mountains. On the left, a small village with tile and straw roofs huddled against the thin evening mist.
Something simple like that will give them a fairly clear scene, but they can add the exact details themselves. They'll do that anyway, regardless of how exactly you describe things, or not. Also, one should try to describe more important things in higher detail than unimportant things. :) That's my experience, anyway.

[SysterYster]

When I write, I try to vary how much I describe depending on the scene or the moment. Like, in an action scene, I won't give too much details, just the basics, maybe focus more on movement and feelings, while in the beginning of a scene, before things have really taken off, or a character enters a new location for the first time, I'll put more time into describing the look of the place. However, if a place is visited many times, I won't describe it every time, just remind people that hey, it's the cellar again, with the blue box, remember? Ok, good. :p Sort of. :)

[Trassel]

Thank you for this video, I’m one of those people who tends to under-describe, partly because the idea in my head is so clear that I forget to actually write it in a way other people can understand, partly because a lot of people have told me “don’t over-describe, be concise”. My mind’s eye is like… whatever is the object of focus is the only focused thing, and if I’m imagining something large or busy (like a crowded town square) it’s like my mind’s eye camera is doing rapid cuts between different images.

An important trick is to try and write what the character would notice as the description. If they’re an architect, they might notice who designed a certain building. If they care about fashion, maybe they can tell where the businessman who just left the building got his suit. If they’re observant and suspicious, they might notice the businessman’s badly concealed gun, etc etc.

[SysterYster]

I love that you have examples. It's much easier to know what people are talking about when you can see examples. :)

[jetsdude]

Amazing advice. I LOLd at "medium-sized eyes"

[andyaf]

Ellen is easily the best writing advice YouTuber I’ve come across. Specific, helpful tips. Straight to the point. It’s very appreciated.

[writerinfact]

And this is why I frequently recommend to Kindle authors that they need to spend the money to hire not only a competent proofreader, but a professional editor! Passing freshman English is also a prerequisite. Thanks.

[thomasalbert]

Found you a few days ago and there are so many things I like about your presentations having to do with writing: straightforward, smart without being fussy, common sense and likeability with nothing to prove. Among the best compliments I can provide is to say that if I were in the position to further your audience, I would. You've got a specialness and I thank you for your work.

[OdysseyNomad]

You, Ellen Brock, are an island in the sea of countless writing tips videos. This is the way my brain needed to hear this information. Thank you for this!

[SysterYster]

I call it the "Checklist of appearances". When it's all listed in a line. I try nowadays to make descriptions matter. like, give the most apparent things first, then add more stuff as they move, or as someone notices something.

[Icky_tube]

One of my biggest description writing quirks is overusing THE. “THE chair was red. THE cushions were old. THE room…” Awesome video!

[qwertyTRiG]

People often accuse Tolkien of writing overly long and detailed descriptions, but he actually doesn't.

[juliab]

Generally, I don't use too many descriptions, but lately, I've been influenced by authors here on YouTube, so I tried to write even "drier" than I used to. It's not going well. To me, it's unnatural, slow... not enjoyable. I won't be able to finish Nanowrimo this way. I'm going to start writing everything down, even if it's "too much", and change it up afterwards. Honestly, I don't know why I got influenced in the first place. I don't plan on publishing, and I just wanted to practise writing in a different language. I'll keep trying. Thank you for this video.

[cinimynn]

My hero has returned with another video. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ellen!

[saken]

I just finished watching your writer types and its absolutely insane how insightful you are. Your so young but anyone can tell that you've been doing this for a long time. The experience really shines through. Insane, absolutely insane.

[mowajumuyideen]

Ma'am, you're the best. Somehow I stumbled upon your channel. & It's been nothing but gold.

[lizzieware]

Regarding the first tip, this is so interesting because you're totally right, too much information is too overwhelming and ends up making you glaze over or panic about visualising it all correctly. OTOH, I find it intensely irritating if I've been picturing, say, a room with a particular orientation all this time (e.g. the window's to the left of the bed) because it was never described otherwise, to then come to a paragraph that states it is on the opposite side, I really struggle then to re-orient it in my mind. It's also why I love maps in books, I always want to know where the characters are and to picture the locations of each place in my head as I read. (I'm the same irl, i've never travelled anywhere without seeing where it is on a map)