When I'm reading, I am not a fan of long descriptions. In fact, I don't even read those parts in books. I just skim right along past to get to the parts that interest me. As a result, for the longest time, I refused to write descriptions. I didn't know how to do so with any kind of skill where there weren't long paragraphs devoted to color and texture and whatnot, so I'd leave out the description and setting altogether. I was happy with this arrangement, but readers would say my scenes had that "sitting in a white room" effect. And that isn't cool.
So, I'm being more mindful with this project. I'm working hard to keep the details simple, yet evocative. I'm trying to use a few well-chosen words weaved in seamlessly instead of long paragraphs that stand out. It's going well enough, I suppose.
But with this on-going effort, I'm noticing that Seth's goings-on take place at a variety of locations, many of which are only used once. I have: the yuppie bookstore, the old diner, the dive bar, the other dive bar, the storage unit/rehearsal space, the school gym, the river, the football field, Kendall's home. For some recurring locations I have the trailer park (and specifically, the trailer where Seth lives), the rich kid's rehearsal space, the golf course/country club, the hallway at school, the classroom, the pro-shop parking lot, the carwash.
I think having variety in settings is probably a good thing and keeps it interesting. But I'm finding that I am getting so weary of having to come up with quick and evocative descriptions for all these places. Sometimes I'm just like, Oh, jeez. Can't I just make them have this conversation at X location so I don't have to go through this again?
Lazy, I know.