They say the "devil is in the details," but wouldn't it be better to say that "God was in the details?" In the same way, we, as writers, need to make sure our descriptions hold details that can transport our readers into our imaginary places. Kimberli Buffaloe, talented writer and photographer, tells us how we can use details to improve our writing.
~ Angie
She exited the Interstate and turned
onto the two-lane highway. Despite the years, nothing had changed. Longleaf
pines still bordered the shoulder on one side of the road, and on the other, a
dozen men dressed in jeans and wide-brimmed hats roamed through tobacco plants
harvesting the bottom leaves.
It took some time, but a writing
instructor finally helped me understand the importance of details in a story.
Not just information on what a character looks like, what they're wearing, or a
description of the setting, though all can be essential. She was talking about
details unique to the character’s environment within a given scene.
These details are crucial, and a recent
Sunday morning service provided me with prime examples of details that could be
used to add authenticity to a story. Every autumn, churches in our area
celebrate Homecoming. Before we moved here, our concept of this event involved
a school dance or football game. But this version of Homecoming is a call for
members whose attendance has tapered off to reclaim their place in the pew.
She turned right, into the parking lot.
A sea of battered pickups and old sedans clustered around the little brick
church, but she drove behind the building and parked in the scraggly grass of
what they once called the overflow lot. She stepped out of the car. The scent
of chicken and hot bread carried from cars to the fellowship hall filled the
air, and bells in the tiered steeple played, urging those who were willing to
come home.
More local flavor is found in the meals
that take place after Homecoming and other special services. After partaking of
the fellowship table, any author can walk away with a full stomach and a
notebook filled with details on regional fare. Then, instead of using a
nondescript “dishes overflowed with…” a typical food found anywhere in the
country, an author whose story is set in eastern North Carolina could instead
make readers’ mouths water with an image of favorites such as sweet potato
casserole, chicken pastry (a dish similar to chicken and dumplings, but made
with thin strips of pasta instead of clumps of dough) and Bright Leaf’s
signature red hotdogs.
Once the picture is painted, anchoring
readers in the culture of the region, those details can be “snapped” to the
character’s journey.
She climbed the steps toward the front
doors. The pews would be filled now. Overflowing like the table in the
fellowship hall. She reached for the doorknob. The sleeve of her blouse slipped
back revealing the butterfly etched into her arm. Come home, ye who are willing, come home, the
bells rang. She was willing, but would the congregation welcome her back, or
accept the child she carried?
So while researching a setting, don’t
forget to check newspapers and church calendars for annual events and
celebrations, and local restaurants for regional food favorites.
