| Last week, my husband and I watched Your Name. It’s a story about a young girl and boy who swap bodies and what happens as a result of this connection. The story is funny and moving, and you should absolutely watch it. But you know what really won me over? The animation. But there was something about the animation that made it really stand out: the details. Critics have pointed out that the film actually shows the labels of bottles instead of blurring them out. Most animators don’t bother spending time on this. This kind of detail makes the world seem real, and, as a result, the viewer is able to connect with the film and get more invested in the characters’ stories. So when you are writing your book, really think of areas where you can add detail. Does your protagonist like wearing a certain color nail polish? Does your supervillain’s house smell like warm cookies? Does the sidekick keep tripping on a broken floorboard in his lair? Now don’t get out of control and just list details all over the place. Make sure they help give the reader a better sense of the character or the place. Ensure the details have a purpose. When they are done well, you move away from telling, and you head toward glorious telling. And that’s when things become real for your readers. Need help filling in the details? We’re happy to help! |