Post: Add some flare to the colors in your writing

colors

Particularly for fiction writers, it’s not uncommon for there to be mentions of colors in a story. Whether you’re describing a setting, a person’s clothing, the sky or any number of other objects, you might incorporate a color to “drive the point home.” We often talk about keeping your writing concise, clear and simple here on the Vertu Publishing blog. 

However, it’s often best to give the reader “a little something more” when it comes to colors. Yes, you can say that the sun was orange. Your story might be more interesting, though, if you add some vivid color language, instead. Remember that you want to do more than provide basic information to your readers. A fiction writer’s goal should always be to spark imagination, so that the story comes to life in the reader’s mind. 

You can add vivid color language later

As you’re working through several drafts of your manuscript, you needn’t feel like you have to resolve all color issues right away. One author, who shares writing tips online, says that she uses a highlighter pen to mark all mentions of color in her writing. She then returns to those sections of her story later on and develops the content into more vivid color language. 

When you’re describing colors in a story, it’s perfectly acceptable to move beyond one-word descriptions. Take the word “black,” for example. Does your imagination become more active if you think of a “black” sky or a “jet-black sky, shining like onyx, under the light of the moon”? 

Tone and hue can change an entire scene in one’s mind

Think of how many shades of blue there are. If a character in a story is wearing a hat, you might describe its color as “blue.” If, however, you let the reader know that it is “robin’s egg blue” or “electric blue,” it’s likely going to create a much more vivid picture in his or her imagination. 

A person’s complexion or skin tone is best described with vivid color language

A character who is ailing might have a “pasty white” complexion. A person of color can be described as having “caramel-colored” skin or “ebony-like” flesh. Not only can carefully chosen color language help you describe a character’s appearance, it can also suggest mood, personality or demeanor, as well. 

For instance, if a character is erupting in anger, a writer might describe his or her eyes as glaring with a “piercing and fiery stare.” Use of the word “fiery” evokes images of the colors red and orange, which makes the character’s anger leap right off the page!

Read your story aloud, with special focus on colors

If you’re wondering whether your color language is sufficient in a story, read it aloud or have someone else read it to provide critique. Pay close attention to all mentions of color, and also focus on how you feel as a listener when you hear the color descriptions being read.

 Does it vividly bring the story to life? Or, are you left wanting more detail? Lack of vivid color language might be the missing link your manuscript needs to go from ordinary to spectacular!