Post History

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/8596
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I have often come across stories where the author has described a particular scene or action of a character in minute details.

e.g. If a character has to open a door, the description is about how the character feels about going to the door, then the character going to the door, putting the key in the lock, turning the knob, pushing the door and finally stepping inside the room.

I understand intense detailing is necessary if it adds to the story (such as the above in a suspense or a thriller).

My question is more about the general details (which are described at great length by the author). In many cases, it appears to me that the author is insulting my level of intelligence (i.e. don't treat readers as dumb or bore them to death).

**Question: How does one balance the need for details versus telling a good story?**

Note: I am asking the above question in the context of a short story (where words are premium) but it can easily apply to a novella or novel. In the latter cases, it often occurs to me that the author is padding words to increase the length of the story!

Original score: 5