Avoid Writing a Weather Report

Have you ever been told by a reviewer that you’re writing a ‘weather report’ and wondered what it meant?

Novice writers often make the mistake of becoming a Meteorologist. Or they take on the job of the narrator at a Fashion Show, or Travel Guide – even Real Estate Agent. In other words, all these things are done to fill up that most important area – the opening of your story. By the time the weather is established and the characters are fully dressed, the reader may be gone.

Too much description is boring, and many readers will skip over it. Be sure to open your story with the story. Hook the readers and hold them with hooks of the story. They can view the countryside or the room, or whatever setting you’ve chosen, from the eyes of a character as they experience the weather. A character can simply choose a blue tee shirt because they know it matches their eyes. You’ve established their clothing and their eye color with few words. Make sure descriptions fit in naturally and unobtrusively, like a movie image, not as a narrator.

Don’t skimp on details, but make each detail count. It’s not easy, but with practice, each attempt will be better. And don’t forget to notice how other’s do it while you’re reading a favorite book. Even experienced writers get caught up with too much description sometimes, and have to cut during revisions. The old saying; Less is More – is true.

Avoid writing ‘weather reports’ and get on with the story.

critt

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