tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post8782445449552926225..comments2024-03-27T02:56:19.634-06:00Comments on Melissa Amateis: Using DescriptionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-83855437427154961102012-04-13T15:05:40.924-06:002012-04-13T15:05:40.924-06:00I've had difficulties with it, too, which is w...I've had difficulties with it, too, which is why I am so glad I got it. It helped me SO much.Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-25122283880439001412012-04-13T15:05:10.878-06:002012-04-13T15:05:10.878-06:00You're welcome! I love great craft books. They...You're welcome! I love great craft books. They just open my eyes to all the wonderful possibilities of how to improve my writing. :-)Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-78099858747214167672012-04-13T09:24:38.525-06:002012-04-13T09:24:38.525-06:00I've always had problems with description. Thi...I've always had problems with description. This sounds like a book I need to pick up.<br /><br />I definitely like the advice of not describing everything at once, it makes for a harder read.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-7248560754489195332012-04-12T14:32:47.137-06:002012-04-12T14:32:47.137-06:00My favorite (besides Slick) is #3, Avoid the Pathe...My favorite (besides Slick) is #3, Avoid the Pathetic Fallacy. I've always loved that phrase but never been certain what it means. Now I know. Thanks, and thanks for the rundown of the rest of the tips, too.Charlotte Rains Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12657052065864065323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-46240940153111531512012-04-12T11:47:36.597-06:002012-04-12T11:47:36.597-06:00Oh, this was hilarious, Christine! I especially lo...Oh, this was hilarious, Christine! I especially loved this line: "... simpers along with an airy, complacent, monkey-with-a-parasol gait which is not suited to the transportation of raw meat." Ha! LOLMelissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-58634817856588694012012-04-12T11:29:30.240-06:002012-04-12T11:29:30.240-06:00I'd say get rid of the cheerful birdies unless...I'd say get rid of the cheerful birdies unless you're writing about Snow White! LOL<br /><br />Oh, Slick's face is all a mask, I tell you! He is ornery, ornery, ornery!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-84696141207913937852012-04-12T11:28:46.541-06:002012-04-12T11:28:46.541-06:00No, I've never read this. But I LOVE Mark Twai...No, I've never read this. But I LOVE Mark Twain. Off to read it now!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-51915325807928344082012-04-12T10:44:28.005-06:002012-04-12T10:44:28.005-06:00Melissa-Slick is just too funny. THAT FACE!
If ...Melissa-Slick is just too funny. THAT FACE! <br /><br />If he has his way, along with "happy hydrangeas" and "grateful daisies," I'm guessing things like "cheerful birdies" are history now too;) <br /><br />Too funny:)Valerie Boersmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08372768206512562126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-54932451167901256242012-04-12T10:41:17.394-06:002012-04-12T10:41:17.394-06:00Sounds like a great resource. These description ti...Sounds like a great resource. These description tips are spot-on. The key is precision; every detail should matter in some way. <br /><br />Have you ever read Mark Twain's "The Literary Offenses of James Fenimore Cooper"? He mostly takes Cooper to task for blunders in description--and besides, it's one of the most hilarious essays I've ever read in my life. <br /><br />http://www.llumina.com/mark_twain_on_cooper.htmChristine Fletcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17350760019997430843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-66607616478684312432012-04-12T09:01:14.290-06:002012-04-12T09:01:14.290-06:00Exactly, Heidi. She devotes an entire section to p...Exactly, Heidi. She devotes an entire section to point-of-view and how description should be filtered through whatever POV you're using.Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-56616240378064665342012-04-12T08:59:56.407-06:002012-04-12T08:59:56.407-06:00I have never know such a unique cat. He has livene...I have never know such a unique cat. He has livened up our household since the day we brought him home.Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-46442872152292366392012-04-12T08:59:33.192-06:002012-04-12T08:59:33.192-06:00I think this cat is a dog trapped in a cat's b...I think this cat is a dog trapped in a cat's body. He likes to play in water, dump the trash, and play fetch!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-34672218464087637002012-04-12T08:59:05.704-06:002012-04-12T08:59:05.704-06:00If you do get it, you'll have to let me know w...If you do get it, you'll have to let me know what you think!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-1310801643048750832012-04-12T08:15:08.098-06:002012-04-12T08:15:08.098-06:00That sounds awesome. I admit, when I read the firs...That sounds awesome. I admit, when I read the first paragraph, I thought, "Oh no. Here's a book that going to tell you to describe everything!" But this is right on the mark! Less is more. <br /><br />One thing I've learned at school is that you should show setting through the characters' eyes. Like the dialogue example you gave, but even in narrative, you shouldn't write setting just to tell objectively what it looks like. It should always be about how the character feels about it, what they would notice, how it reflects them.<br /><br />Now I need to get this book!Heidi Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18420802651029097379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-20101803833212603532012-04-12T06:44:07.708-06:002012-04-12T06:44:07.708-06:00Great reminders you presented.
I love your cat....Great reminders you presented. <br /><br />I love your cat. He looks majestic. Probably why he likes to head-butt at 2 a.m. :)))Anna Scott Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02744202738210301084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-81484941222906369352012-04-12T02:02:43.089-06:002012-04-12T02:02:43.089-06:00This book sounds very useful, thanks.
Slick is a ...This book sounds very useful, thanks.<br /><br />Slick is a very handsome cat who obviously enjoys posing for photos.Deborah Carr (Debs)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03223653554549707595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-20616955422745029442012-04-12T00:52:17.112-06:002012-04-12T00:52:17.112-06:00That sounds like a great book and now I'm goin...That sounds like a great book and now I'm going to have to get it. Just the idea of it cutting out the BS sounds AWESOME! But I loved the advice on sprinkling descriptions of characters throughout the story and not all at once. =DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-60738487650344654222012-04-11T22:26:37.425-06:002012-04-11T22:26:37.425-06:00JT - It is a terrific writing resource. I love it ...JT - It is a terrific writing resource. I love it when I find those gems!<br /><br />This cat is seriously a dog trapped in a cat's body - he likes to fetch, play in water, and dump the trash in search of food!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-65929383035747958682012-04-11T22:25:46.595-06:002012-04-11T22:25:46.595-06:00You're not alone in that, Kelley. I think a lo...You're not alone in that, Kelley. I think a lot of people skip those long, descriptive paragraphs. I do, too!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-38546356799075659532012-04-11T22:18:53.019-06:002012-04-11T22:18:53.019-06:00Great post Melissa, the book sounds really good.
...Great post Melissa, the book sounds really good. <br />I like your cat, he looks very pleased to be included in your post. Our cat doesn't head butt; he nibbles on our shins when he thinks he should be feed!J.T. Websterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18042422842347246547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-72596795603659540872012-04-11T22:16:41.210-06:002012-04-11T22:16:41.210-06:00Thank so much for this summary! I completely agree...Thank so much for this summary! I completely agree with the descriptions of characters and places. Little secret: when I'm reading, I don't usually read long descriptive paragraphs. Oops!<br /><br />So...since I don't like reading them, I don't write them :)<br /><br />I hope your recovery is coming along well!Kelley Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06373650788799372118noreply@blogger.com