In a new blog post, C.S. Lakin says that viewing your story world through your character’s POV is the best way to decide what and how much to describe.
As an example, Lakin suggests walking into a familiar room and taking note of what you notice. “If it’s a room you’ve been in a gazillion times, like your kitchen, and you’re going in there to get something out of the fridge, do you stop and describe all the appliances sitting on your counter, the color and style of the dishes in the dish drainer, the size and capacity of every pot and skillet on your stove?” she asks.
Probably not. Instead, you’ll notice things that are out of place: something burning in the oven, a light flame. If you open the fridge, you won’t notice every item, but will focus on what you came for. “In other words, as we go about daily life, we filter out all the familiar things and only notice things that are unusual or different or what we are specifically looking for,” Lakin explains.
When describing your settings and their emotional resonance, pay attention to what your character would notice when she walks into the space. She’ll notice different elements depending on whether the room is familiar or unfamiliar to her. She’ll notice things that are out of place or items that intrigue her. She might size up the other people present.
Even with that focus, you don’t want to describe every little detail. Some writers draw the line at three things. In general, the more common your setting – a dentist’s office, a playground – the more you can focus on specific, unique details that bring the setting to life.
Lakin also lists a number of questions you can ask as you set the stage in your scenes. “You can come up with your own set of questions, but always keep in mind your POV character can only know what he knows,” she says. “He may not know what just happened. He can’t know what people have in their hands (but you can).”
Also, consider your character’s emotional state and motivation. What they notice and describe will vary based on their mindset. “Think of your plot, your character’s purpose in the scene, why you’ve put her there, and have her notice what will help reveal more about her character, add mystery, set a tone or mood, and advance your plot,” Lakin says.
Not easy, but worth it.
