I have trouble adding detail to my stories. Can someone help me?

When I write it is always bare bones, I have trouble adding detail to my stories. Can someone help me?

please?

Comments

[Legofan]

Detail, huh? Hmm...

Well, that's not exactly my strong suit in writing (thinking on it, I wouldn't say I have any real strong suit), but I can at least share what I find works for me and let you mess around with those tidbits.

When characters converse, try describing body language in addition to the dialogue, and use words such as 'answered', 'shouted', 'whispered', etc. in place of 'said'. Doing so can help the reader grasp a character's character better, and get a better feel for their personality. And considering that characters are typically the focus of a story, especially in fan fiction, I'd say that that adds a lot of detail.

For example, if at some point Rainbow Dash is told a joke that she really likes, -like, really really like- you could simply say that "Rainbow Dash laughed really hard." Okay, cool...but, if you say that "Rainbow Dash dropped to ground, writhing and clutching her stomach as hysterical laughter took over,", the reader gets the sense that Dash actually appreciated the joke, and additionally get an idea of what Dash finds funny.

Let's see, how else can detail be added...

Ah, yes. Setting. It's always good to establish the setting of a scene in someway, without resorting to describing the weather unless said fact is relevant. Pretty much, inform the reader of the relevant details of the surroundings, enough so that the reader can visualize the intended setting. You can also show things that set the mood. What you want to avoid doing, though, is getting too specific and overbearing with details with the surroundings, and you don't want to interject too many of these details between two significant the happen close to each other (timing-wise).

For example, imagine you're writing a Daring Do adventure story and she happens to be in some sort of tunnel. That's cool. You could simply say that "Daring Do was in a tunnel," but really, that's not enough to let the reader know anything about said tunnel (albeit, if it were an actual story, there'd be some sort of context). Realistically, you'd want to set the setting and mood in your description of the tunnel. Inform the reader that the tunnel walls are lined with moss-covered brick. If you want to build suspense or increase the sense of danger, explain how a large crack in the ceiling gives Daring the impression that the structure is old and that it seems as if it could collapse with one false move. Tell of the floor where each brick wobbles as she presses her weight on it, making her fearful that each step is a potential trap.

However, you wouldn't want to have Daring spring a trap, then suddenly begin describing the surroundings barring anything relevant to the trap itself (i.e. don't randomly describe the dim light of the torches lining the walls immediately after she steps on a pressure plate, but do describe the various holes that appear in the wall and floor from which death spikes suddenly sprout out of), then go back to how she evades the trap (or, at least I hope she evades it; I don't want to see her speared through the neck. That'd be too tragic for poor Dashie). Whenever something sudden like that trap happens, you want to keep the reader in the action by worrying about the action itself and any relevant details about the surroundings, and not about some inconsequential thing, at least until the action resolves or, at the very least, winds down.

So yeah...hopefully these couple of bits are helpful in some way.

Keep being awesome,
Lego

[Changeling-Drone]

1868152 you keep being awesome as well

I'll try ive been getting help from lots of other writers so thanks

[Legofan]

1868163 There are people out there way better than I am that could give you much more helpful advice, but that's all just my 2 cents; take it for what it's worth (likely less than 2 cents), but if something someone says contradicts something I've said...they're probably more correct.

Of course, just because someone says something's right doesn't make it so, especially in the field of writing. There are so many ways of doing things -like, as is the thing in question, adding detail to a story- that really you've got to find what works best for you, because however that is, while comfortable for you, certainly would leave others quivering. Make sure that you consider all the advice you're given by whoever gives you some and just experiment with what is suggest, mashing together what you like and don't like, and eventually you'll come up with a style that works and that you can call your own.

Look at me, speaking as if I know anything; as if I'm some sort of literary sage. Despite being a quiet guy, I really need to learn when to shut the fk up.

[Changeling-Drone]

1868232 heh your my editor id say your good at it