Writing is all about detail, and isn't

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We all hear this on every corner, "Be specific in your writing. Describe everydetail." And at the same time we also hear this,"Don't over-describe. Give thereader room to breathe, to imagine." When you're just starting out as a writer, when you begin working on your first short story or novella or novel,this can be confusing.What does it mean, to describe everydetailand yet not to over-describe? How exactly is this possible?

Simple.

Describe selected details, only those detail...