An Inventory Of Description © 2007 Jennifer L. Jordan

To build an inventory of description, extract phrases from magazines, newspapers, and books. While it's in poor taste to steal, "she raised an eyebrow that had been plucked to within a hair of extinction," no one has a monopoly on "she said, with regret."

You can also add to your inventory by paying attention to opposites and variances. "Kindly" leads to "meanly," and "easily" to "with difficulty." Don't stop at "she said coolly." There's always, "icily," "coldly" and "with little warmth."

Whenever you come across description, from your personal observations or reading, jot the ideas down on scraps of paper and throw these into a manila folder. Once a week, once a month, or between writing projects, add the new inventory to your computer file.

Managing The Inventory
After you've chosen categories, put the headings in 24-point type, with the lists in 12-point. As you scroll through the file, this will make it easier to spot the headings and instantly land on the category you need.

For even easier retrieval, alphabetize the lists within each category. If you're using MS Word, select all the words within a category (except for the heading), highlight them, choose table, sort, and ascending order.

One Inventory Per Project
In all likelihood, only one character per story would say "in a strangled voice, eyes welling." To avoid embarrassing repetition, retain a master file of description, create a new file for each project (simply by using the "save as" function for the file), and underline or delete unique expressions as you use them.

Use The Inventory Sparingly
Pretend you have to pay for every descriptor you withdraw from inventory and use them sparingly. If the dialog or action conveys words you just added, delete them before your writing reaches an editor or the public. For example, "I hate you" can stand alone if the sentiment is straightforward. No need to include "she said angrily." However, " 'I hate you,' she said, smiling warmly" conveys an entirely different meaning.

Sample Inventory

Actions Beckoned Leaned over Plopped down Shrugged

Bearings Agitated Bewildered Buoyed Desolate

Facial Movements/ Expressions Blanched Crinkled her nose Face relaxed Mouth fell open

Laughter An insane cackle Belly laugh Forced laugh Guilty laugh

Looks Blank look Cast an appraising eye Eyes widened Flinty look

Physical Description Eyes far apart Long, angular face No makeup Reddish complexion

Smiles Answered with a cool smile Defiant smile Silly grin Smiled indulgently

Speaking Cadences A hesitancy Haltingly Said eventually Started abruptly

Speaking Descriptions Accusingly Bashfully Carelessly Dismissively

Voice Blared Breaking with emotion Hushed tone Loud whisper

Give it a try. Create your own inventory, and you'll never be at a loss for words…at least not descriptors!
_____
Jennifer L. Jordan is the author of the Lambda Literary Award nominated Kristin Ashe mystery series, published by Spinsters Ink. Look for her fifth book in the series, Disorderly Attachments. For more information and to read excerpts, visit www.JenniferLJordan.com.

Back to Article Archive.