Webnovel.Forum

Making another thread for something I have noticed in novels. This one relates to details in a story. Details are very important: they refine the picture being related to the reader. However, some details are not necessary and take away from the story.

As a reader, it’s frustrating to spend an hour reading about some magical object if it is never used or important to the story. The same could be said for characters with lengthy intros only to say one word and never appear again.

Here is my best attempt at an example, using a hypothetical question: if a character walks into a room with nothing but a table with a book, staff, and sword on it, what should you talk about? There are nearly infinite options. To list a few, there is the table, the walls of the room, the door, the book, the sword, the staff, the water-spot on the roof, etc. However, my answer would be simple: talk about whatever is most important to the plot.

In my opinion, this is often done right at the start of a story. Unfortunately, it makes things extremely slow paced as we hear about the polkadot wall paper in every room before we even get immersed in the story. The end result is a story that is “good but hard to get into” at best.

What are your thoughts? Do you like details that don’t pertain to the story? Do you get tired of reading them? Do you not notice this?

oooo I feel you. I like writing and reading dialogues rather than environmental descriptions mostly because I want to be invested in the character's conversations.

Also, I'm a fast reader so I like stories that gets to the point.

The only times I can't really deny environmental details tho is when reading fantasy tales and when I tried to hit the word count goal.

Veronica8

I’ve never heard those two terms before, but they make a lot of sense. I agree that details, even unnecessary ones, can add to a story. It’s just something you have to be mindful of. Too many irrelevant details turn into the dreaded “filler”. Even details about the world can be weaved into the story and told where they are relevant.

Sounds like I would like your writing style!

Ooukination

I like dialogue too. Conversations can let characters express themselves and share thoughts freely. Usually, they help build stronger characters.

However, I’m not sure that I would count “hitting a word count goal” as a reason to add more details. Building a world does require details though! I like to reveal only what is needed through actions or characters. For example, if there are mountains I might have the character standing on top of one. This allows me to have that character observe the whole countryside and describe it. If my character is in the valley, they can only describe the mountain because it blocks the view of everything beyond. Then, I can focus on why they are in the mountains. Perhaps they are fleeing a tyrant king or something. Thus I get to add details about the country itself.

shadowdrake27 Agreed. I've always believed that if it can be cut from the story without causing damage and especially if it slows down the plot--get rid of it. Beauty and ambiance should be kept for the moments the writer wants the reader to remember or feel the most, not something that becomes irrelevant one or two chapters later--or god forbid before the end of the chapter itself.

Though to be honest, I've had people complain that my details require them to pull out the dictionary and I'm like--my vocabulary is very limited why do you need a dictionary? xD

shadowdrake27
I can see the word count thing being an excuse if you have to for the sake of WN contract for example (not a hundred percent that's how it works but I'd cut them some slack there). But yea, otherwise let the chapter end where it needs too and move on.

Snowin These are really helpful for chapter transitions, or when the reader needs a moment to register they're in a different location. Setting the mood romantically and even for horror also makes sense. But I've also seen a writer on here start his story with a paragraph about the wind, that poetically was appealing but was completely disconnected to the rest of the chapter--and that's when details aren't working in your favor.

Vera_Anne_Wolf

I agree. The more detail you add the more you are bringing attention to something. Knowing some things about where we are can be good, but a very detailed explanation should be saved for something you want people to remember. Eliminating anything that isn’t needed for understanding helps pacing. Plus I’m a firm believer that readers have imaginations. They can fill in details that aren’t important in their mental picture.

Having a good vocabulary is not a bad thing. Writing good descriptions requires strong words that say the most in the least amount of space. You should be proud of this, and they should get out their dictionary and marvel at your masterful word-painting.

Here is an example I made up to show why this is a good thing:

There was a small dog with brown fur covering everything but it’s back and tail, which was black. (18 words)

There was a brown and black Australian Terrier. (8 words)

^same dog in both. Same metal picture. One is twice as long because of a dog breed that a reader can look up if they don’t know it.