I’ve had a working theory for some time now that you can tell where a fiction author’s interests lie by how lovingly she describes things.  Yes, lovingly.  That is the keyword here, for every writer has to describe the settings and characters of their novels.  However, when their work is viewed over time a pattern often emerges.  For example, I’ve come across several authors who seem to pay particular attention the flora and fauna in every setting and describe it in vivid detail.  I, on the other hand, have to remember that there are more than five kinds of flowers that can fill my heroine’s vases or garden, and often must go searching on the web to figure out which blooms are in season where so that I don’t have tulips budding in Massachusetts in November.  Another writer might describe lavish spreads of food and linger over each succulent course of a meal, while I go trolling the web for interesting dishes to use when I absolutely must describe the plate of food being laid before the heroine at a dinner party.  (My English heroine can only eat so many dinners including roast beef.)  In more modern terms, I’ve read authors who can’t seem to resist describing each automobile that appears in their story right down to the engine.  Color, make, and model are good enough for me.  Clothing is another prime example.  Authors put varying amounts of detail into their descriptions of their characters’ apparel.  I like to know what the protagonist is wearing as much as anyone, but I tend to focus more on the simplest factors—color, neckline, number of flounces on a skirt, and one or two interesting or distinguishing details. 

Now, I know that many times the items an author chooses to describe and the manner in which she chooses to describe them have a great deal to do with the character who is narrating the story.  However, as I said, viewed over time with different protagonists the same items will often be devotedly picked out and illustrated like a child doodling pictures of her favorite toy.

I’m as guilty as anyone, for I’ve begun to notice a similar pattern in my own writing.  I nearly always know and comment upon what the weather is like on any given day in my stories.  I can’t seem to help it.  It simply feels natural to ask myself - Is it raining?  Stormy or drizzling?  Chilly or a soft spring shower?  I often choose specific pieces of music where another author might only mention that the heroine is playing a sonata, but naturally this is always dependent upon whether the narrator would know such a thing or not.  I also pay particular attention to color.  Nothing drives me crazier than when a character’s eyes are described in so simple a term as “blue”.  What color blue?  Sky blue, Prussian, Cobalt, Cerulean, Lapis Lazuli, Cornflower, Midnight?  And if my narrator would not be able to place it in such definite terms, I at least have him coach it in others – “Her eyes were a bright blue, almost gemlike in quality, but soft like a bluebird’s wing.” 

I often wonder whether my theory would prove true should I meet my favorite writers and ask them.  After all, they tell you to write what you know, or what interests you.  Take a look at the stories of your most beloved authors and, peering beyond the narrator’s eyes and bias, see if you can uncover their hidden interests.  Is my premise credible or absurd?