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:   / the-ultimate-guide-to-writing-engaging-des...  

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TL;DR PRESS
Website: https://tldrpress.org
Twitter:   / tldrpress  
Anthologies: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=digital-te...

SARAH L. HAWTHORN
Short Story – “A Doe in Crown Land” in QUEER BLADES: https://www.amazon.com/Queer-Blades-A...
Twitter:   / slhawthorn  

JOE BUTLER
Novels – OF ALL POSSIBILITIES and STRANGE DAYS IN THE HOUSE OF AUGUST: https://www.amazon.com/All-Possibilit...
Short Story – “A Small Life” in BANDIT FICTION: https://payhip.com/b/x0zN
Website: https://writelikeashark.com
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MIA V. MOSS
Novella – MAI TAIS FOR THE LOST: https://www.amazon.com/Mai-Tais-Lost-...
Short Story – “The Radiant Web” in STARSHIPSOFA: http://www.starshipsofa.com/blog/2021...
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ALEX LAUREL LANZ
Short Story – “Every Little Hair on Your Head” in SCARE STREET: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9T99R1H?...
Short Story – “The Only Way Out Is Through” in TALES TO TERRIFY: https://talestoterrify.com/episodes/5...
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LYLE ENRIGHT
Short Story — “Bargaining” in SHORT EDITION:
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Short Story — “Road Rage” in SPECULATIVE CITY:
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

“Description: Narrative Lensing” by David F. Shultz: https://davidfshultz.com/2017/03/26/d...

“On Writing: Great Character Descriptions!” by Hello Future Me:
   • On Writing: Great Character Descripti...  

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

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

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

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

Title and End Music: “Clockwork” by Vindsvept –    • Fantasy Music - Vindsvept - Clockwork  

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)