In my editing practice, two words that writers overuse when they’re describing characters they want to impress you with are “beautiful” and “handsome.”
What, exactly, are they trying to say? What makes someone appear beautiful?
Especially irritating to me is when an author writes: “She used to be beautiful, but now she had a few wrinkles arou [...]
Posts tagged Description
Writespa #73 – Hey, Beautiful!
In my editing practice, two words that writers overuse when they’re describing characters they want to impress you with are “beautiful” and “handsome.”
What, exactly, are they trying to say? What makes someone appear beautiful?
Especially irritating to me is when an author writes: “She used to be beautiful, but now she had a few wrinkles arou [...]
Nourish Your Writer’s Soul
Since spring is almost here, I’m offering “Writing through the year – Winter” as a free gift till March 21. Let me know if you’d like a copy – I’ll send you a SW coupon or the mobi file for your kindle.
Here’s what it’s about: (more…)
WriteSpa #31 – Elemental Beings
WriteSpa – An Oasis for Writers
When I was around seven years old, I remember visiting my grandmother, Ethel Cook Eliot, at her home in western Massachusetts. One night she sat on the edge of my bed and told me about some rain goblins she’d seen. She described them to me as about eight inches high, skinny, wrinkled, brown-skinned, and r [...]
Practice: Description
Description evolves best from observation. Observation offers a way of watching your inner experiences reflected back in outer phenomena. Instead of writing “I felt gloomy,” you could write: “The clouds pressed in, prematurely darkening the bleak sky.” By strengthening your powers of observation you’ll be able to transform your plethora of co [...]
Looking Out of a Window
Describe what you see out your window in minute detail. Do this at approximately the same time each day. Try to evoke a different mood on different days (gloomy, cheerful, excited…) just from the description itself – don’t mention any personal emotion.Describe what you see out your window in minute detail. Do this at approximately [...]
A Rainy Afternoon
Describe a rainy afternoon without using the word rain or saying anything about how you feel. But as you describe the rainy afternoon create a mood so the reader knows EXACTLY how you are feeling.
Self Portrait
Look in the mirror and describe yourself as though you were someone else – in the third person. Do this several times, at different times of the day: you might find you discover seven different people.
The Home Buyer
Using details and interesting, unusual adjectives, describe a single room in your home from the point of view of someone who is considering purchasing the house and does not know you.
Greatest thriller/love story I have ever read! Timeless.
(Bright Face of Danger) is without a doubt one of the most compelling, impossible-to-put-down novels I have ever read -- Winslow Eliot, who is also the author of the very popular romance Heaven Falls (also available on Amazon), has woven an intricate romantic suspense that keeps you turning pages. The heroine, Penny, is forced to change her identity after witnessing a murder. She has to flee, leaving her whole life -- and the love of her life -- behind. But she can never truly outrun her past, or the man who wants her dead. If you like romantic suspense novels or thrillers -- or just want a GOOD read -- then read this. You won't be disappointed!
