![]() ![]() ![]() Having said that, keeping it simple (like a laundry list) can work, but maybe make that a 'feature not a bug.' In other words, if it becomes part of your style, use it in such a way that the reader expects it. Not a laundry list, but something that feels like it has multiple angles happening at the same time. Who knows? He seemed to study everything. I'd say that this was a funny effect, funny, like the little boy was funny, almost as if he pretended to be the world around him, and he must have known that he had that effect. Looking at him was like lying on the ground looking up, that this was what person thought of, when they looked at him. The blue eyes in the pale face with the greenish hair would get played with, to become patches of blue sky, in clouds of white, ringed with leafy trees. He had hair that was blond but that took on a greenish tint from his swims in the lake, and he had blue eyes in a pale face.' So, I might start in my first draft with: 'He was a funny boy, he was good hearted, and studious. But I think you can't always find that second and third purpose necessarily until a later draft. Then, I love when a line does multiple things. I only like including something questionable - if it serves a second purpose. It matters how you choose to describe character traits. Compare "Bilbo was a rather boring person" to "you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him". Compare "Glorfindel was smart and strong" to "on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was strength". ![]() However, the description doesn't merely serve to tell us about Glorfindel: it sets the mood for the scene, tells us what kind of people are gathered around Elrond's table. We never really get to see him fearless, joyful, wise and strong. "Glorfindel was tall and straight his hair was of shining gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of joy his eyes were bright and keen, and his voice like music on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was strength." - The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. This image is important because Tolkien then proceeds to topple it over: Bilbo obviously does go on an adventure, and does quite a few unexpected things. Tolkien sets up an image, establishes Bilbo as being a certain kind of character. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him." - The Hobbit, J.R.R.Tolkien "This hobbit was a very well-to-do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. However, can you sometimes tell rather than show traits? Let me show you some positive examples: Being told that someone is smart isn't enough - he has to use his brains. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |