Do details matter?

It’s the little things. Every little helps. Little things make big things happen. Beware of little expenses.

There are many quotes about the importance of little things. Some good… Some you need to search for and then realise why they don’t make the list.

But it is in the details that stories are made. Show don’t tell right? The difference between saying a person “doesn’t wear their wedding ring anymore” compared to the character “rubbing the pale skin on the 3rd finger, they paused and as they ordered another drink, each glass filled the missing gap in their life for now. But tomorrow would come eventually.” (Not saying that is an amazing line, but the details matter).

We have characters in our minds that we try to bring to the page, not just for our reader, although obliviously important, but to bring our characters to life. For us. I always think of the Coen brothers film. To see what small detail will they give Clooney next, obsessive about his teeth or hair. A small part of the character that shows a lot about the character itself, him/her self, themselves.

“Joan waited for the aged kettle to finally come to the boil. The balance of putting in just enough water for two mugs vs the time for it to boil. Any mention of throwing it out or replacing it would bring up the same points. It’s a kettle. It boils water. Apparently these arguments are meaningless as it it all that is left from the flat. Boxes from friends and family are all they have now. But the kettle survived so must be kept.

Monday always was a tough day for Evelyn, good weekends meant strong coffee. 3 spoons of coffee, 2 sugars and a splash of milk. Each week without fail. It was her only way to get to the bus and deal with the public until ot became ocially acceptable to have a coffee at work.”

I guess I have two points here, the kettle and the need to keep something safe, and their potentiallyheavy going weekends for the characyers with a need for coffee to gey through their day. They may work somewhere there is judgement about health(ish) living.

When a character is formed, describing each detail becomes a long list. Is it important to detail each item they are wearing. It might be. But only if it is needed for the story. Having a small random detail that is just that, random, “he liked cheddar cheese”, can be OK, but is it going anywhere? Does it have any relation to develop the character about how he only likes one cheese or is it just a point to say something more, but never does anythin, for him. Will they find a partner who serves up Cheshire cheese and it starts as a reason why they become uncomfortable or possibly more? Random is nice, but is it relevant?

Also, my main point from where this train of thought is coming from, a small detail can also show a history between two characters without having to say, “they have known each other for 10 years, always being there to support each other so they know what to do.” It could be as simple as “Dave placed the tea next to Michelle as the spreadsheets were open. The familiar sigh came as she paused, picked up the cup to breathe it in and smiled. Just simple tea with oat milk. Never a word was needed between them.”

Or just someone saying “Tea?” With them bringing it out attached with a comment such as “I still don’t get how you can drink that oat milk stuff. Just weird.”

Simple.

What is my point today? Well, I am sure I had one. My main thinking is, when writing, what are the little details you have added to flesh out a character. Is it the type not cigarettethey smoke, the band t-shirt they wear, the connection between 2 or more people to show they not just know each other, but know each other well.

How have you shown, not told, a key detail about someone, or something, to help develop the story?

Happy writing, everyone.