WORD
PAINTING: A GUIDE TO WRITING MORE DESCRIPTIVELY
This guide combines direct instruction
with writing exercises designed to increase your powers of
observation and help you "paint" fresh, evocative
descriptions. It includes passages from classic and contemporary
masters such as Gustave Flaubert and Toni Morrison, as well
as the advice of writers and poets from Aristotle to William
Stafford.
Readers comments:
One of the best, May 28, 2000
Reviewer: Suzanne E Anderson
"This is one of the best books on improving your writing skills. Ms. McClanahan's
writing style is inviting and reassuring. Both beginners and experienced writers
will benefit from her instruction on how adding descriptive elements will enrich
the reading experience for our target audience and make us better writers."
Keeping the pencil sharp, May 26, 2000
Reviewer: Karon Luddy from Charlotte, NC
"This book has been a godsend to me. It's been enormously helpful in doing
the final edit of my novel. Reading it made me feel like I had my own personal
editor. The conversational tone of the book is inviting, nurturing, and encouraging.
Any discussion of point of view usually makes me groan, but the way Rebecca
McClanahan writes about it is exceptionally sane, enthralling even. The author
is a master teacher, writer, and reader. Rebecca McClanahan is generous in
sharing the secrets of her fine craft. This book would be fabulous for intermediate
to advanced writers to read at least once a year to help keep the pencil sharp.
The writing exercises are provocative and creative. This book showed me many
things I would never have learned on my own. It made me want to be a better
writer."
For a More Picturesque Use of Language, March 6,
2000 Reviewer: Gloria Stern from LA
Toward More Picturesque Language
"Just as all boats rise with the tide, Ms. McClanahan's book, Word Painting,
has the power to elevate the writing process for all those who would apply
her insight and skillful direction. I intend to have it at my elbow as I write.
It is a valuable resource - not only for me, but I will be happy to pass its
precepts on to my students."
Excellent; highly recommended, October 27, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from Manhattan
"Having trouble with a writing assignment ("describe a place using
vivid imagery"), I found this book. It's great and helped me paint the
picture in words. Result: compliments on my simplicity, clarity, and vivid
descriptions."
Selected Exercises from Word Painting:
From Chapter Four, From Eye to Word: The Description
Write a description for an article of clothing that will appear in
a catalog unaccompanied by an illustration. Your job is not only
to describe the item accurately but also to entice a customer to
buy it. Begin with the basics: name the article precisely and list
available colors (be inventive!) and fabrics. Then describe, in detail,
each distinguishing feature. Finally, set the fantasy scene for the
customer. Where might he wear the item? How will this article of
clothing change his image, his life?
From Chapter Six, Bringing Characters to Life Through Description
If you want to learn more about your characters' inner lives, write
a description of how each would react given the same situation. Choose
a situation that will reveal the characters' values, attitudes or
other qualities of their inner landscape: being accosted by a panhandler,
being given too much change by a cashier, being seduced by a beautiful
stranger. Which of your characters would fail to report cash earnings
to the I.R.S.? Which ones would refuse to have an affair, even if
their spouse couldn't possibly find out?
From Chapter Eight, The Story Takes Its Place: Descriptions of Setting
Describe the same neighborhood as viewed by three different people Ð for
instance, a lifelong resident who's so accustomed to the scene he
barely notices it anymore, a teenager who can't wait to escape the
place, and a dewy-eyed honeymooner moving into her first home.
