Nov. 8: Describing with Precision

In this reading Fred White discusses the importance of detailed and precise descriptions to draw the reading into the story. It is through these descriptions that the reader is able to visualize the scene. White talked about the descriptions in The Ambassadors by Henry James. Whenever I think of detailed, precise descriptions I am reminded of the books written by Lois Lamour. His descriptions of the western territories in his books allows the reader to visualize the grandeur of the scene. In particular his descriptions of the Four Corners area where Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah come together are so precise and detailed as to be described as breath taking just as the actual scenes can take away a person's breath. It is this ability that White states in "For Further Reflection" when he says that "Precise description has a cinematic effect: It allows readers to visualize the story, to experience the sensuous delights of a setting.

"Try This" assignment for today:

1. Practice prescised description by describing a room in your home in meticulous detail. After finishing your description, test it ou by reviewing the details in the room and seeing if you missed anything.

2. Describe a character's appearance in two different ways; in formal dress at a special event such as a concert or wedding; then in casual dress in an informal setting, such as a beach.

Again won't have time to do #1 justice but here is a quick attempt to describe my office/craft room/television room. The room is actual a spare bedroom. It contains two computer desks. One is white and natural wood with main desk and a shelf unit that sets on top of it with four compartments under the top shelf. The second is all wood finish and the shelfing unit does not go all the way across the desk top but only 2/3 of the way. It has three compartments under the top shelf. I also has a shelving unit on the side with two shelves to hold books. Both desks have drawer and drop down to hold computer keyboard below the desk deck. On the wood finish and white desk sit a fan, a laptop, and printer. On the all wood finish desk, sits a computer, printer, computer tower, telephone, and small plastic bin with drawers that holds pens and pencils along with bottles of nail polish.
Beside the one desk is a wood finish two drawer file cabinet. Besid the other is two stacks of white plastic cubes that hold books. There are two black desk chairs in front of the two desks and a foot stool sets in front of one. In front of the other is a TV tray. In front of the two stacks of white bins is a Cassio keyboard and beside that a cart with two drawers full of yarn. Below the keyboard is a large basket that contains books and yarn. In front of the desk on the wall with the bedroom closet is the table that holds the television, cable box, and dvd/vcr players. A black coat hangs on the closet door. Inside the closet are several bins stack one on top of the other that holds left over yarn, and other craft supplies.
Assignment #2 is being included in the novel I am working on for November is National Novel Writers Month. One of the key characters is preparing to attend a homecoming dance and I will describe in detail her clothes. I have already described in some detail her day attire for school.