Thursday Thoughts...

“In writing. Don’t use adjectives which merely tell us how you want us to feel about the thing you are describing. I mean, instead of telling us a thing was “terrible,” describe it so that we’ll be terrified. Don’t say it was “delightful”; make us say “delightful” when we’ve read the description. You see, all those words (horrifying, wonderful, hideous, exquisite) are only like saying to your readers, “Please will you do my job for me.” 

C.S. Lewis

This week's pondering is on books; and on these weeks, I nearly always grant myself license to ponder books, reading and writing - seems fair. Smile.

Today's quote is a great reminder for me whenever I try to write and or describe things.  I imagine it is an early version of "show don't tell". The notion or idea of not simply describing in detail what a thing is or how you want a reader to respond.  

I think good writing nearly always asks us as readers to get involved, to bring our own thinking and imagination to the show, to add in details, or draw on experiences. Rather than simply being told what something. Or how to feel. 

When writers use similes that suddenly open up our understanding or encourage us to feel differently, it is a wonderful experience. I often stop, pause, take a breath and think wow - what a great way to 'explain' it.

Nevertheless this is challenging work and it so much easier to simply say or describe something, rather than write it in a way that encourage the imagination and involvement of the reader.

For me, his final sentence gives us a very clear reason why we should try harder. It really is a bit weak and a bit lazy to have readers do the work for you. Onwards!

Books I dip into and return to help me think about beautiful writing...