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Q&A Level of description in a story

Treat details like Chekhov's Gun. They should only be there if they serve a purpose. If the purpose is to create atmosphere, explain the setting to the reader for the first time, place a macguffi...

posted 10y ago by Lauren Ipsum‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-13T12:00:18Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/8598
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 · 2019-12-08T03:01:44Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/8598
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T03:01:44Z (over 4 years ago)
Treat details like Chekhov's Gun. They should only be there if they serve a purpose.

If the purpose is to create atmosphere, explain the setting to the reader for the first time, place a macguffin on a shelf (JK Rowling did this in _Order of the Phoenix_ when she casually listed a large ugly locket as one of the things in an enchanted cabinet, and it turned out to be a freakin' Horcrux in _Deathly Hallows_), or describe a character, then go right ahead.

But if you're pouring on detail to prove that you did background research, or because you have a door fetish, then save the excess to your slush file to enjoy on your own time.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2013-08-09T00:49:13Z (over 10 years ago)
Original score: 2