Location, Location, Location
To me, one of the joys of writing and reading is how the author describes his or her surroundings. It can either immerse you into their world or cause you to put the book down. If one is writing fiction involving current events and locations, it is certainly important to do your research and record the locations with precision. After all, potential readers may have lived there or have visited there and street names need to be correct as well as any distinguishing landmarks.
Fantasy on the other hand is different. Not that you don't have to try and create the scene with any less realism, just that you're not tied to specifics. Here are a couple of brief scenes from The Prophecy:
(1st scene)
Suddenly, Leandro snapped his attention back to her, "Yes, sliding rock. It's a large boulder covered with river moss and a small waterfall running over it. It is really pleasant on a hot summer day."
"It sounds wonderful," she said quietly, placing a soft hand on his forearm.
"Our family has maintained a small campsite there for many years. It's quite beautiful. Large willows line the river on both sides with their branches seemingly drinking from an endless supply. Lush meadows run through the forest, dotted with patches of wildflowers. And the sound at night, between the crickets, the frogs and the river, is a lullaby that can't be ignored."
(2nd scene)
Stopping at what appeared to be the end of the corridor, Alamaris waved his hand and another door materialized, opening before them. The room, a richly furnished parlor, contained walls covered with deep scarlet tapestries depicting erotic scenes. Heavy drapes of scarlet velvet covered the windows. Several candelabras lit the room, keeping the light low but constant. Strewn around the room were large, overstuffed lounging pillows of the same scarlet velvet materials.The room exuded comfort and opulence.
In both scenes, it was only the boundaries of my own imagination that allowed or disallowed the scene to be conveyed appropriately to the reader. It is possible to go overboard with the adjectives, in which case the scene would be weighted down with wordiness. I have discovered there is a fine line and I am still learning how to walk it. I would compare it much akin to a young lady, learning to apply makeup. It can be way overdone or it can be just enough to enhance the natural beauty already presented. I continue to seek the natural beauty. You can make your own choice. Namaste'
Fantasy on the other hand is different. Not that you don't have to try and create the scene with any less realism, just that you're not tied to specifics. Here are a couple of brief scenes from The Prophecy:
(1st scene)
Suddenly, Leandro snapped his attention back to her, "Yes, sliding rock. It's a large boulder covered with river moss and a small waterfall running over it. It is really pleasant on a hot summer day."
"It sounds wonderful," she said quietly, placing a soft hand on his forearm.
"Our family has maintained a small campsite there for many years. It's quite beautiful. Large willows line the river on both sides with their branches seemingly drinking from an endless supply. Lush meadows run through the forest, dotted with patches of wildflowers. And the sound at night, between the crickets, the frogs and the river, is a lullaby that can't be ignored."
(2nd scene)
Stopping at what appeared to be the end of the corridor, Alamaris waved his hand and another door materialized, opening before them. The room, a richly furnished parlor, contained walls covered with deep scarlet tapestries depicting erotic scenes. Heavy drapes of scarlet velvet covered the windows. Several candelabras lit the room, keeping the light low but constant. Strewn around the room were large, overstuffed lounging pillows of the same scarlet velvet materials.The room exuded comfort and opulence.
In both scenes, it was only the boundaries of my own imagination that allowed or disallowed the scene to be conveyed appropriately to the reader. It is possible to go overboard with the adjectives, in which case the scene would be weighted down with wordiness. I have discovered there is a fine line and I am still learning how to walk it. I would compare it much akin to a young lady, learning to apply makeup. It can be way overdone or it can be just enough to enhance the natural beauty already presented. I continue to seek the natural beauty. You can make your own choice. Namaste'
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