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Resources for help with descriptive writing?

If you're looking for a base list of descriptors, I often refer to Building Believable Characters from Writer's Digest. It has tons of lists on body types, facial expressions, emotional outbursts, all kinds of stuff.

But to honestly spell out a descriptive passage that rings true, try thinking through what it is you see in your minds eye. Pan across the items, people, places you want to describe and spell out the most exciting elements of them. With people, it could be the way a person stands, twirls their hair with one finger, talks wildly with their hands. Pick out something and once you've written it out, touch on it occasionally but not so much that you beat the reader over the head with it.

Also, look at some of your favorite writers and see how theyhandle similar situations. Get a feel for how they introduce someone and the tags they add to keep your attention.

Another thing to think about is who's doing the describing. If your writing a story in the 3rd person, and the view point character is a snob, they'll see each person differently then a recluse or a simpleton.

Geez, there's a buttload of ways to describe people and too many to simply say here. Hope you find your voice and write the book.

Spikeo
 

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