 Romance/Love: November 15, 2011 Issue [#4717] |
  Romance/Love
This week: Using Romantic Description Tags Edited by: StephBee  
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What makes a romance really zip is the description. The key to romantic description however is to use a good economy of words and blend in description to your tags. It's a challenging skill to learn, but once mastered, very effective. |
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Description can really heighten the romantic tension in your writing, but it can be more challenging than you think.
What are some elements you want to add description to?
Description of the hero, eyes, body, face, and hair
Description of the heroine, eyes, body, face, and hair
Movement
Sound of voice
Facial expressions
Smiles
Humor
Eyes
Emotion
Attraction
Kisses
Sex
Wow! That's a big list. So what is a "tag?"
A tag is a short one line description woven into dialogue and tucked into the narrative. The reader may not be away of them, but they sure will feel them.
Here's an example of using a voice tag:
Example #1: "I want you," he said.
Okay, you discover the hero wants the heroine.
Example #2: "I want you." His voice was low and husky.
In this example you "feel" the want and the desire in his voice. You can infer the tone and pitch and inflection of his voice.
Big difference, huh? Some of my favorite tags are:
Her figure was regal and curving
He touched her elbow
She arched an eyebrow
A ghost of a smile crossed her lips
She managed a small, tentative smile
His eyes smoldered with fire
He gritted his teeth
A muscle worked in his jaw
She fisted her hands in anger
Her eyes darkened in pain
He kissed the pulsing hallow at the base of her neck
Her heartbeat skyrocketed
What I love about descriptive tags it that they don't linger and don't slow down the pace of the story. You get the effect of the description without having to read a paragraph of it.
A great book I just recently read which uses descriptive tags well is "Lord and Lady Spy" by Shana Galen. If you're curious about how to use tags or how to incorporate them successfully into your writing, "Lord and Lady Spy" is a fun read.
Feedback: Do you use tags? If so, what are your favorite ones?
Reference for this newsletter: The Romance Writers Phrase Book by Jean Kent and Candace Shelton, Berkley Publishing Group, 1984.
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Feedback from my last NL dtd: 19 OCT 2011
Bikerider 
I spent 21 years having dispatchers tell me where to go, but I was on the opposite side of the country from LAPD. Here's my NaNo link. There's nothing there yet but I hope to fill it by the end of the month. My book has drama, political intrigue, a few humorous scenes, and lots of romance.
Good luck with your writing.
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Thanks for sharing and good luck to everyone who is participating in NaNoWriMo this year!
StephBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her latest release is a paranormal romance, "Danube in Candlelight" and takes place in Budapest, 1922. 5 Stars, Reader's Favorites: "This is the first book I've read that feels like a movie!" |
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