When is the description too much

Use this forum to discuss the June 2019 Book of the month, "Cynthia and Dan: Cyber War" by Dorothy May Mercer.
Alison Alissa
Posts: 69
Joined: 04 May 2019, 11:46
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 34
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-alison-alissa.html
Latest Review: The Touch by Robert Flynn III

Re: When is the description too much

Post by Alison Alissa »

Its always too much when its the author`s part of the story because its where the author seems to gives a lot of information in detail.
User avatar
Sonya Nicolaidis
Posts: 991
Joined: 22 Aug 2018, 01:30
Favorite Book: McDowell
Currently Reading: The Dark Web Murders
Bookshelf Size: 403
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sonya-nicolaidis.html
Latest Review: My Delightfully Dysfunctional Family by Loraine Hartley

Post by Sonya Nicolaidis »

There is a fine line between too much detail and not enough. I think that the former is preferable to the latter, purely because, while it may get a bit tedious, it doesn’t leave the reader guessing. There is a skill in revealing just the right amount of information at the right time to keep the story interesting and the reader engaged. I also felt that the characters in this book could have done with a little more detail and development.
User avatar
Brendan Donaghy
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1096
Joined: 18 Jan 2019, 13:14
Currently Reading: Small Great Things
Bookshelf Size: 141
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-brendan-donaghy.html
Latest Review: Teetering On A Tightrope by Steven W Wilson

Post by Brendan Donaghy »

I always feel that if you find yourself noticing descriptions to the extent that you comment upon them, then there's way too much description!
User avatar
Lady-of-Literature
Posts: 284
Joined: 24 Dec 2018, 20:36
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 29
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lady-of-literature.html
Latest Review: Twisted Threads by Kaylin McFarren

Post by Lady-of-Literature »

I don't have a problem with description, either in smut or foul language. However, I will admit that too much description is pretty obvious with it slows down the plot, especially when it focuses too much on something irrelevant or boring.
Aditi Sapate
Posts: 389
Joined: 26 Apr 2019, 02:18
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 118
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-aditi-sapate.html
Latest Review: Miracles Love a Believer by Stacy Manning Casaluci

Post by Aditi Sapate »

I don't care that much about the physical attributes. I just need the physical attributes to distinguish one character from the other. But I need the characters' feelings and emotions to be discussed in detail. I guess it differs from reader to reader.
User avatar
Prisallen
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 5678
Joined: 27 Feb 2019, 18:57
Favorite Book:
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 233
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-prisallen.html
Latest Review: Nirvatra by April Thomas

Post by Prisallen »

When a book gets too descriptive it gets bogged down and threatens to make the story boring. On the other hand, there needs to be enough description to be able to visualize the settings and the characters. It is definitely a fine line to walk.
Atharva Joshi
Posts: 27
Joined: 31 Jul 2019, 18:36
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 11

Post by Atharva Joshi »

Too much description causes the reader to quickly lose interest but if "Quirky" small details are added to make the characters unique then the reader is intrigued.
User avatar
evraealtana
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1528
Joined: 22 Mar 2019, 19:45
Currently Reading: The Signature of All Things
Bookshelf Size: 127
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-evraealtana.html
Latest Review: Never Teach A Pig to Sing. It is a waste of Time by Freida Atwood

Post by evraealtana »

MrunalT wrote: 15 Jul 2019, 06:05 I guess most authors consider it intelligent to add minutest, and more than often inconsequential details. It is probably a way of building an intricate landscape against which the story can be superimposed. But ultimately it rests on the narration to not bore the reader with disturbing details or make the read too simplistic.
I agree, and well said. Striking the right balance is probably one of the most important, and also most difficult, aspects of writing.
User avatar
Cecilia_L
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 4952
Joined: 08 Jun 2018, 22:16
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 436
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cecilia-l.html
Latest Review: No Rushing when Brushing by Humairah Shah

Post by Cecilia_L »

I dislike too much description if the author seems to be filling pages with unnecessary details. However, I agree that balance is key because it's also frustrating to be left wondering when details are lacking.
User avatar
HannahMonaghan
Posts: 8
Joined: 06 Aug 2019, 11:39
Currently Reading: The Jungle
Bookshelf Size: 10

Post by HannahMonaghan »

For me, when there is too much description, I start to skim or I quickly get bored with the book. I think descriptions are incredibly important, but when I can skip anywhere from 3 sentences to 3 pages and still have a perfect idea of what is going on, that description isn't worth it (to me at least).

Foul language and graphic sex scenes have their place in books, but I feel like many writers leave nothing to the imagination anymore. At some point, the reader needs to be able to read a scene and carry it through their head. If each and every detail of a scene is painstakingly written out, it takes out reader creativity.
User avatar
Ngozi Onyibor
Member of the Month
Posts: 1539
Joined: 19 Mar 2019, 05:19
Favorite Book: Sugar & Spice
Currently Reading: The Wizard of Fire
Bookshelf Size: 174
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ngozi-onyibor.html
Latest Review: Devine Enquiries by Martin Hull

Post by Ngozi Onyibor »

Descriptions become too much when the author feels the need to describe even the most mundane elements of a book in detail.
User avatar
Mindi
Posts: 236
Joined: 03 Jun 2017, 15:11
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 106
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mindi.html
Latest Review: The Promise by Hank Ellis

Post by Mindi »

I don't care for explicit sex scenes, but everyone has their own opinion. I don't mind some description if it's done in a tasteful way and actually connects the reader more emotionally to the characters and storyline.
User avatar
OuKoyoo
Posts: 178
Joined: 20 Jul 2019, 17:01
Currently Reading: The Barnyard Buddies Meet a Newcomer
Bookshelf Size: 24
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-oukoyoo.html
Latest Review: Do I Need a Will or a Trust by Taylor Willingham

Post by OuKoyoo »

Description becomes too much when it adds little or nothing towards enriching the storyline. It makes one feel like the author was just trying to fill more and more pages.
User avatar
Mailis
Posts: 282
Joined: 29 Jan 2018, 08:36
Currently Reading: The Employee Millionaire
Bookshelf Size: 58
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mailis.html
Latest Review: There and Back There Again by Andrew Alsup
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by Mailis »

In some books, I enjoy long descriptions because the author has such a beautiful and unique way with words. And in some books, I almost fast read half-heartedly sections where the descriptions distract and slow the story down too much. So it is a mixture of things that make a book and it's details work for me. My mood, my level of tiredness whilst reading but I still think the most important part is the skill and talent that the author has. If they are good, I love every word.
User avatar
skindrukas
Posts: 581
Joined: 01 Oct 2018, 14:05
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 284
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-skindrukas.html
Latest Review: Sigfried’s Smelly Socks! by Len Foley
Reading Device: B004DLPXAO

Post by skindrukas »

I agree that detailed sex scenes and foul language could be left out in most cases. Very often it seems that the are only added to make the story likable to a bigger range of readers, to satisfy all types of people. But it's rarely necessary to complete the story or describe characters.
The temple bell stops but I still hear the sound coming out of the flowers. --- Matsuo Basho
Post Reply

Return to “Discuss "Cynthia and Dan: Cyber War" by Dorothy May Mercer”