Unlike on the silver screen, when a reader has curled up into a corner to read your book, they are not fed the action. Instead, they have to sit and use their imagination. This could be the reason why so many people admit that they don’t read much. Those same people will not be embarrassed to admit they are an avid movie watcher. This is why when it comes to writing you must be able to hold your reader’s interest with descriptive scenes, paragraphs, and over all creativity. First, I want us to take a look at a few things. Just to get us started on being more descriptive and creative.
There are a few ways to write sentences one being very bland and simple, the other being bold and spicy. When describing people, if you’re not very observant you may have trouble at first. Look around you. No one is the same. They aren’t all just plain tall, skinny, short or fat. Everyone has something unique about the way they look. You can almost always notice it right off the bat. You may even say, “She looked like… He reminded me of….” Let’s take a look at the first sentence and then compare it to another that is written more descriptively.
Dylan was tall, with big eyes, muscles, and a nice haircut.
Doesn’t really give the reader anything to go on, right? Let’s take that same sentence and break it apart to create a new bolder desciption of Dylan.
Dylan was tall .
That’s great that we know he’s tall, but how tall exactly is Dylan. Tall could be six feet, or seven. We don’t know because we have not been given full detail. Ask yourself, what you see when you see Dylan in your head. It may be someone you already know, or it may be someone you conjered up with your imagination. Let’s pretend Dylan is Six foot four. The sentence revised would look like.
Dylan stood six foot four.
Ok, wonderful now we at least know how tall he REALLY is.
With big eyes.
Imagining someone with wildly bold eyes, is not excatly what you wanted your readers to do. They don’t know, so they picture what comes to mind. Let’s say you were aiming for the fact that he looked like an innocent school boy. The sentecnce would read;
His eyes were wide, like those of a curious schoolboy.
Now so far we have:
Dylan stood six foot four,His eyes were wide, like those of a curious schoolboy.
Excellent! we now atleast have a clearer picture of Dylan. We know that he is precisely Six-foot four, and has wide eyes like a school boy. Let’s move on to the rest of the sentence.
Muscles.
Just muscles…? Where are these muscles? Are they in his biceps, triceps, calves? Let’s say he has the whole package, but is not too muscular. How would that sentence look?
Dylan was slender, but his muscles were firm and sculptured proportionately.
You may always go further into detail. If you want you can give him Abs, just not abs of steel, you are the artist paint him how you wantl. The Abs and buns of steel thing is just so worn out.
He was slender, but his muscles were firm and sculptured proportionately,along with his finely, detailed Abs.. (Even I want to date Dylan).
Now that gives us this;
Dylan stood six foot four,His eyes were wide, like those of a curious schoolboy. He was slender, but his muscles were firm and sculptured proportionately,along with his finely, detailed Abs.
That’s quite a bit of information about him. I can already picture Dylan. Can you? The last part of the sentence can be made to describe all types of men. Haircuts vary by race. For an African-American male it could be a Fade that’s wavy, an Afro that’s brillo. For a Caucasian male it could be long and silky, or short and spikey. It depends on what you have in mind. In my vision Dylan has a close haircut, with deep waves and a perfect edge.
and a nice haircut.
And the award for BLAND goes too…? Let’s remix it a little. I will put my personal touch on it.
Dylan had a clean cut, all even with soft textured deep waves to set off its perfect edge.
Now we have a paragraph full of detail. Let’s see what we have.
Dylan stood six foot four,His eyes were wide, like those of a curious schoolboy. He was slender, but his muscles were firm and sculptured proportionately,along with his finely, detailed Abs. Dylan had a clean cut, all even with soft textured deep waves to set off its perfect edge. We went from;
To the more descriptive paragraph above. Remember when you are describing someone or something make sure you include full detail. Leaving out one thing can hinder your whole vision. If your character has Brown eyes, you don’t want to say just brown. There are so many colors that coincide with brown it’s a shame. What about chestnut brown, or mocha? Don’t forget Pecan and Hazel. There are so many ways to doctor-up your sentences. It is up to you as the artist to figure out how you want to go about it. Though you do not have an easel or paint brush, just like the painter or sketch artist you must paint a picture for your readers. They need to be able to see your character so that they can relate to his/her situation.
If you are reading the newspaper, and see the story of a woman who went missing. The woman being described as an African-American Female with short black hair and a slender frame has no picture, so you turn the page. You would not turn the page if there was a more detailed description and perhaps a picture. You want to be able to sympathize and relate. You can’t do that if you can’t see an actual person.
Play around with different descriptions until you find one that is suitable to you. Avoid bland words like Tall, slim, pretty, beautiful, cute, short, fat. If you are going to use these words spice them up.
She was tall enough to reach the top of an oak tree. There was not a slender bone in her body; Her body was set up just right. She was not just pretty, but beautiful and bright as a daisy in springtime. Her set of pouting lips were cute on her short round face. Her back side was plump, or as the brothers said, “Fat.” Spelled Phat.
Now, that’s just how I do things. Everyone has their own style. Utilize your imagination and don’t be afraid to use it, Because a picture is worth a thousand words.
Stay tuned for Lesson 2 -Scenery:Running through open fields
Visit me at- Rhonica's Notebook
Combining both her love of writing and studying metaphysics, author and Spiritual Diva J.J. Michael is living out her wildest dream. Her genre includes both fiction and non-fiction metaphysical/spiritual books with a touch of Christian fiction and romance. The RAWSISTAZ Review states, “IT’S NOT OVER YET by J. J. Michael is an engrossing novel about spirituality, love, mystery, intrigue and suspense. It is well written and the many characters are developed into unforgettable people who push the story forward with magnificent speed. Each person has his/her own story and intrigue. It is a book that once you pick it up, you can’t put it down”
A graduate of Howard University and the University of Maryland, Ms. Michael worked for many years as an administrative librarian. She loves traveling to sacred sites around the world collecting ancient and historical artifacts. A certified Chios Master Teacher and Healer, she does intuitive numerology and healing when not writing. Intriguing enough, Ms Michael’s story goes a lot deeper.
In her first book, Path to Truth, she describes how at the age of fifteen years old she discovered a book on reincarnation. “At that time, I had no idea that The Search for Bridey Murphy by Morey Bernstein would unlock a door to a wealth of spiritual information that set the course of my life. I have spent my lifetime pursuing spiritual wisdom. It is who I am,” says Ms. Michael.
It’s no secret that when you speak with author J.J Michael she can hold your attention, and pique your interest with her love and dedication to the subject matter of spiritual wisdom and metaphysics. For most of us when it comes to the world of metaphysics we don’t completely understand the big picture. As explained by Ms. Michael, a simple definition for metaphysics is anything beyond the physical world. For example, if one is able to see into future, he or she is clairvoyant. This would fall under metaphysics. Furthermore, subjects such as astrology, numerology, palmistry, energy healing, and mediumship would fall under metaphysics. Spiritual wisdom is the esoteric knowledge or truth laws that govern the world. You can lean more about the spiritual laws such as the Law of Attraction in Ms. Michael’s nonfiction book: Path to Truth.
If asked why she picked the subject of metaphysics and spiritual wisdom to write about, Ms. Michael states, “I find it exhilarating to take a ‘truth concept” and weave it into a fictional story. I have received many letters from readers telling me how Life is Never as It Seems, was a page-turner and full of life lessons that made them think about their own lives. It is gratifying to know this because my purpose in writing psychic fiction is to offer the reader an entertaining but thought-provoking book.”
A resident of Washington, D.C., author J.J. Michael enjoys spending time with her family and is active in her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. It’s Not over Yet, Life is Never as It Seems, and Path to Truth: a Spiritual Guide to Higher Consciousness can be purchased from: Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles, and iUniverse.com (Path to Truth only). The ebook version of Path to Truth may be downloaded from Ms. Michael’s website. For more information on events, and book signings please visit her site at www.jjmichael.org.
Interview W/ JJ Michael
R.W. - What exactly is Metaphysics?
J.J. - The term metaphysics is the study of that which transcends physics especially dealing with the nature of reality. Metaphysics also represents the mystical and occult. This definition of metaphysics serves as a bridge between the physical reality and the mystical reality.
R.W. - . I understand that you write fiction and non-fiction metaphysical books. what set you on this path?
J.J. - I come from a family of storytellers and people with great imaginations and intuitive abilities. To gather at my grandmother’s home on Friday nights to dance, sing and tell stories played a significant part in the creation of my works. Since early childhood, I have always been involved in metaphysics/spirituality. I combined my two most important dreams: writing and metaphysics— into my books.
R.W. - I read that you love traveling to sacred sites. What are some of the sites that you have travel to in the past?
J.J. - As a student of many years of metaphysical principles and spirituality, I had always wanted to visit the sacred sites of the world and experience the energies of these places. One of my first trips was the Teotihuacan pyramid in Mexico. Later I visited and climbed the vortices of Sedona, Arizona. While vacating in Puerto Rico, I found an Islamic designed platter full of sacred Masonic geometries. Two months later, I was in Scotland visiting the Roslyn Chapel built in 1446 by the Knights Templar. Two of my favorite sites are Machu Picchu (Peru) and Stonehenge (UK). I am planning to go to Kemet (Egypt) and return to the UK to see the crop circles and the oldest church in Glastonbury (UK). One day I hope to get to Tibet, India and Easter Island.
R.W. - You are a certified Chios Master Teacher and Healer. What exactly does this involve?
J.J.-Chios is a relatively new Energy Healing modality that treats the root causes of energetic illness in the human energy field (aura and chakras). It also includes an integral meditation method (Chios Meditation), which is especially designed to bring out the psychic abilities necessary for a healer practicing this type of healing. As a medical intuitive, I see colors and energy patterns surrounding a person indicating his or her physical, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges. Using the Chios Healing Modality, I unblock, release, or move the energy to create health. Find out more about Chios at www.pathtotruth.com R.W. - What are your plans for the future? What projects are you working on?
J.J. - I plan to continue writing, traveling and living life to the fullest. I am working on the third book in the trilogy and an anthology of short stories.
Path2truth Ezine
The Path 2truth ezine celebrated ten years of publication in 2007. It is one of my major accomplishments. I even have readers who have been with me that long. The ezine promotes self-realization and world peace. Readers can sign up for it on my website: www.jjmichael.org
More Quick Info on “Author and Spiritual Diva” J.J. Michael
Readers can check for more events and updates at www.jjmichael.org
Rhonica’s Notebook by Rhonica Wesley
Rhonica’s Notebook
by
Rhonica Wesley
Black women have often been deemed loud, unruly, ignorant, and sometimes irrational in the entertainment world. Though it is entertaining to some of us, it is not in the least bit a laughing matter because sometimes it hits the nail right on the head. On numerous accounts women were portrayed this way in such movies as; “Friday,” Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, and Regina King. In “Baby Boy.” Starring Tyrese and snoop dog, “Baps,” A movie that starred Halle Berry. The list is endless, and though most of us have grown to love some of these movies, do we really stop and take a look at ourselves?
Instead of downing each other, don’t you think it’s time that we uplift each other? African-American women have been stereotyped too long, and though we are making a change we are still not out of the woods.
“I know that she didn’t wear that.”
“Girl did you hear what happened to Gina.”
“I got some news for you, and it’s about that &#*@& Wendy.”
You’ve heard it on the subway,in class, just around the way. You’ve listened to the gossip, and sometimes even started some yourself. Gossip can sometimes be harmful to relationships that we have with those we love. It’s easy enough to say, “Just butt out.” but when juicy gossip hits the street, we all want to know. Recently I found on yahoo answers a question sent by a woman, the question stated,
In the past we thought a good way to keep down mess, was to keep out business to ourselves, but it is sometimes that one sister that we think is trustworthy who is spreading our news all over town. As the black community rapidly progresses, and we are becoming more active in our neighborhoods, and earning degrees, and awards to better ourselves. We as role models to our younger generation of young black women need to realize that oneness is important. If you viewed my video “they for them and we for us,” you’ll understand when I say a comforting word is more than a downgrading one. It is “Us” sisters for our generation. It is time to take life by the reins and teach and nurture our young women. Oneness means coming together and standing for what we believe in. Less iniquity and more equality among our sisters. no matter what side of the tracks she comes from, what she wears or how fresh her hairstyle is. it’s time we made this a sister thang.
