Imagery, Adjectives, and Verbs

Imagery, Adjectives, and Verbs

A Lesson by Sonya
"

All fall into the same lesson because imagery is nothing without them.

"

          Everyone knows the more detailed the picture, the more real it may feel.



Instead of:
"The girl had long, blonde hair and blue eyes." I'm not sure about you, but I think of a Barbie doll reading that little sentence. 

"The girl's hair was a dusky sandy, very dirty blonde. Coming down to her frail hips, twirling like a jungle, but not messy and frizzy. Her bangs hid subtle, soft blue eyes. More like an azul, but distant and wide."


"...twirling like a jungle..." an example of similies. Those will help so much. Instead of: "Her hair was a dark black" use "Her hair was like the night sky.  Flawless, and clouded by an alluring darkness."

Now, for the tricky stuff.



ADJECTIVES: Words that describe.

Falling back to the previous sentences, adjectives give that extra zip that a story deserves. Which sounds better? 
A) Bad. or 
B) Unpleasant
C) Tainted

Choosing B or C means you passed. ALWAYS use bigger words than like fun, cute, or love.
Try different, more livelier words such as Intriguing, adorable, or adore.


VERBS: Words describing actions.

Run? WEAK! How about: Trot, gallop, scurry, there are so more options than just "run" to use.
Said? DEAD! Use: Whisper, barked, hissed, cried. Make the speaker's tone clear my friend.



Of course, I'm sorry to say, that I can't explain every little bit, but if you have any further questions, feel free to message me! :)





Next Lesson
Previous Lesson

Comments

[send message]

Posted 13 Years Ago


Actually, "said" is the preferred word in almost all cases. When a writer tries to avoid it, the result is called "said-bookism," and it isn't a good thing. (Look it up if you don't believe me.) Nine times out of ten, the speaker's tone should be clear just from WHAT they say.

As far as details, you're advocating what is often called "purple prose" - the overly flowery, elaborate stuff that impresses (some) middle-grade English teachers but is a turn-off to most readers.

[send message]

Posted 14 Years Ago


Very, very helpful. Thanks for posting.
Share This
Print
Subscribe Subscribe
Flag Flag Course

Story Development


Stats

5977 Views
41 Subscribers
Added on January 8, 2010
Last Updated on January 8, 2010
Average
My Rating

Login to rate this


Author

Sonya
Sonya

I ain't gonna tell ya JACK!, Japan



About
Don't click here! I LOVE anime. Bleach, Shugo Chara, Inuyasha, Devil May Cry, D. Gray - Man, Black Cat . Within Temptation, Flyleaf, ect. are AWESOME bands so me no likey Hanna/Miley, Zac..
more..