An Abundance of White Space
I like white space on a page. I like the clarity and simplicity it brings visually, but when it comes to setting, white space is not my friend. I learned in my last Year of the Edit workshop that without enough description of setting, scenes can dangle in white space where the ‘action is suspended in a non-descript place’. Oh yeah. That’s my novel alright. Alas, I have discovered my Achilles’ Heel as a writer: I’m no good at setting.
My homework this month has been to evaluate my scene map in terms of setting. Where does each scene take place? This simple exercise pointed out I have a nasty habit of setting scenes in either the kitchen or the lounge room. Although these are perfectly valid places to have interactions between characters, after the seventeenth time of sitting around the kitchen table chatting, even I’m starting to get bored. I’ve gone through and identified at least eight scenes that can be moved to more dynamic locations, thereby enhancing the emotional impact of the scene.
I also discovered that I use very little description in my writing. I don’t describe characters or physical setting in great detail, if at all. I’m so focussed on capturing the internal state of my characters that I forget they relate to an external world. Some would argue that this can be a stylistic device, and I agree – to a point. My problem is that it’s not stylistic; instead, it’s borne out of a fear of overdoing the description and boring my reader to tears. I’ve swung the opposite direction and have simply not provided enough detail for my readers to truly get a grasp of where the action is taking place.
I think the problem is twofold: on one hand, I have such a clear visual picture of the scenes unfolding in my mind I forget that my reader doesn’t have access to the personal video that is running through my head as I write; on the other hand, I don’t think I was certain enough about the details in my own mind to write about them descriptively. Two opposing forces that result in the same: an abundance of white space.
I intend to remedy this over the next little while. I’ll be focussing on bringing in the five senses to my characters’ experience of their world. I’m going to draw up floor plans of the most common settings so I am consistent in my descriptions. A little belatedly, I know, but I’m searching for photos of the houses that my characters live in so I can have a visual trigger when I’m writing. (I can see them in my head but I really need to have a concrete version to work with.) It’s going to take me quite a while (and I certainly won’t be done by my next workshop on Sunday) but I’m confident with a lot of time and an equal amount of hard work, I’ll have my novel sprinkled with vivid descriptions that will anchor my readers in the story.
I’m never going to be someone who writes eloquent, flowery descriptions of every character, place or event, but I do think my story will be given added depth and richness if I focus on adding pertinent details, a little bit at a time.
How about you? Is setting something that comes easily to you? Or like me, do you struggle when it comes to the details?
I have exactly the same problem, Karen. So worried about boring my readers with description, my fictional physical world may as well be a bubble! It’s nice to know I’m not alone:)
We can hover in white space together, Megan! At least we have the pleasure of adding words now as opposed to cutting them…although next novel I’m planning to have the opposite problem. Knowing me, I’ll well and truly over-compensate LOL Happy writing :)
Thanks for a great post, Karen,
Some good tips.
I have a really good book on this subject (which I don’t refer to enough, lol). It’s called Word Painting: A Guide to Writing More Descriptively by Rebecca McClanahan. Also, if you Google “Painting with word pictures”, there are quite a few articles out there.
Good luck with your editing.
Dee:-)
Ooh, thanks for the resources, Dee. I need all the help I can get!!!
When I write setting I really try to ignite the other senses…touch, smell, sound, taste….this really works for capturing the mood or atmosphere of a setting and certainly adds that layer of depth to the story without simply being a boring detailed blurb. And think about D.H Lawrence’s writing, where he used incredible detail in his setting as an abstract description of his characters….not that we need to go this deep into our setting in kids books…but it does give you another way to look at it.
Great blog and a topic I think the Mad Hatter and White Rabbit will also have to write about LOL. Lots of interesting elements here.
HooRoo
Svett
Lovely revealing blog, Karen. They reckon the first step to solving a problem is to recognise it! Have fun with your exciting ‘new worlds’ of discovery. :)
And I agree with Svett – using all your senses + memory is the key.
I’m terrible at description. I like that white space too!I usually forget to describe the setting much at all and always have to go back in the first edit purposely adding setting snippets. So while my descriptions might be language rich they are usually short and sparse. That works for me and I often get reader feedback along the lines of ‘I felt like I was there.’
Hi Karen. I’m enjoying following the life of your novel. Your posts always offer food for thought and opportunities for reflection about our own writing. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve always wondered about books and their white space. I’m reading one now which I think needs more visuals because I’m struggling with it. But of course I couldn’t place it until I read your blog entry :-)
Have fun filling in the details. And I’m really wanting to read your book soon!
Hi Karen,
I’m the same when it comes to description. I don’t like reading or writing lengthy descriptions (especially of a character’s appearance). And now I’ve read your post I’m going back to trawl through my scrawls for settings … or lack of them. Great post!
Wow, you lot are helpful! Thanks so much for the tips. Svett, I really need to engage the senses more. I’m a visual learner so tend to instantly capture the visuals at the expense of the other senses.
Sheryl, I think part of my problem is that I ’see’ the story unfolding as a movie which means that it can be two-dimensional when I describe it. I need to take that movie and add some 3D glasses LOL
Katrina, so glad my learnings have been useful to someone else!
Kym, isn’t that interesting that you’re currently reading a book with this very issue!
Rebecca, I’ve definitely overcompensated, but at least I know it’s a problem I can now work with it.
Oh, and Sandy, having just read JAGUAR WARRIOR (if you haven’t read it, you really must! It’s a great read) I was in awe of the way you handled setting. It’s nice to know that it doesn’t come naturally to you either and you have to intentionally go back and put it in. There’s hope for me yet!
[...] Edit novel and I’m dealing with my manuscript on a daily basis (and loving it, I might add). Last post I addressed the issue I have with setting and how I’m not very good at it. The second part of [...]
I also seem to forget that readers aren’t seeing the same ‘video’ that’s running in my head. It’s great that you can recognise it and take steps to remedy the problem. What a great online community you have to help out, too. I must come by again!
Caz, you are welcome anytime. And yes, the online community of kidlit writers in Australia is truly inspiring. I’m so lucky to be able to pick the brains of such talented people. The more I know, the more I realise how little I actually know! It’s so nice to be able to seek advice from people who are a lot further down the track than me.