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Q&A Describing something that doesn't exist

The thing with an imaginary object is this: people aren't going to see the exact same thing as you see in your mind, no matter how many words you pour on it. Each reader is going to imagine what yo...

posted 6y ago by Galastel‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-12T21:57:21Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/35472
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T08:37:12Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/35472
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T08:37:12Z (almost 5 years ago)
The thing with an imaginary object is this: people aren't going to see the exact same thing as you see in your mind, no matter how many words you pour on it. Each reader is going to imagine what you describe in a slightly different way.

For example, Tolkien describes hobbits in quite some detail. Yet [here](https://i.imgur.com/ffBDsJw.jpg), [here](https://pre00.deviantart.net/fb82/th/pre/i/2012/104/7/9/the_hobbit_by_s_u_w_i-d4w5hsm.jpg), [here](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/501c01e4c4aa651f100ebef4/t/54259404e4b03bac241cc49e/1465998309482/) and [here](http://tolkien.com.pl/hobbit/collection/gallery/hobbit-russian-2005-2-illustrations/russian-hobbit-illustration-2005-2-02.jpg) are four very different images of the same Bilbo Baggins.

With that in mind, how important is it that your reader imagines this particular car you have in mind, and not anything that's somewhat similar, but also different? How important is it that what you describe be distinct from anything else that might spring to mind when one reads "sleek silver hover-car"?

What details are important to the story you're telling? That it's a cool vehicle? That it's futuristic? Is it a one-of-a-kind, or is it an advanced model of something pretty common in the world you're describing? Focus on what would convey enough of a feeling of what you consider important. If the vehicle is exciting to your characters, that is conveyed by giving some details about it. The exact details are less important than the overall feeling they convey.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2018-04-24T20:14:48Z (over 6 years ago)
Original score: 19