explicitly

How much is too much? How much is enough? I come up against those questions often as the stories develop. Since I put the story down as it forms, there may be a lack of in-depth descriptions and explanations at first and it will become necessary to go back and add more. However, that aside, how much description and explicit detail is necessary?
For example, personally I find that a few brief words can create a picture of a person in my mind. This does not work for everyone. It also does not change that impression should there eventually be a picture of said person, in a movie or TV show or whatever. I've seen movies made from books that I know and love, and the fact that they made Lucy brunette in the movies (this bugs me. a lot) does not change the fact that in the book she has blond hair.  This is not overly emphasized, it's maybe mentioned once or twice. Should it ever come about that there is a movie made of my story, the actors most likely will not be 100% my vision of my characters, they can't be, though they may come close.
Poetic license and personal preference will play a part in how one sees something in the mind's eye, no matter how many words are used to describe it. I am not sure that it's better to use hundreds of words to describe a person, place or thing than to leave at least some room for interpretation up to the reader.

Rambling? Perhaps. That's what this blog forum is for.

Next Interregnum. We meet some new characters. Sort of.

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The Council- One

               

The Council Chamber is full to capacity.  All of the members are transfixed by the images being displayed in the holographic sphere. The translation devices attached to the dais allow the audience to understand the unusual sounds coming from the display. The beings shown in the sphere are going about their business, unaware that they are being watched.

                In a language that no Human has ever heard, nor has any other known race, the Chief Council addresses the assembly.

                “Our plan is in jeopardy. However, our agents are already in transit. We shall prevail.”

                The cacophony in the hall rises, as the members all begin to speak at once. When the uproar begins to subside, one voice is heard above the rest.

                “Master Chief, how much time is needed? This plan has been active for many cycles.” The speaker is another Senior member of the Council.

                The Chief is unfazed by this interruption. The plan has been sent off track, but the agents, ones who are able to adapt and assist, have already begun the recovery process. The display view changes, moving through Space, slowing as it nears its destination. The view widens and the planet fills the sphere with its eerie blue light.

                This planet is tilted oddly, its satellites many and of varied sizes. The swirls of its gaseous atmosphere create patterns and pools of blue and white light in the Council Chamber. The Council members are once again transfixed as the planet rotates in front of them. The view expands again, and one of the smaller satellites begins to fill the holographic sphere.

                Another object comes into the view, a large metal cylinder orbiting the strange blue planet. It is following the path of the small satellite, spinning on its axis as it travels. There is nothing remarkable about this object, other than the fact that it is there. The Chief takes note of the members who react to this image, they will be useful in the future. The rest of the Council members look on, indifferently, until the scene changes again.

                This time, the planet displayed is mostly brown and green, land masses covering a great portion of the surface. The blue areas are few, and this time they are water, not gas. This planet draws the intent interest of the onlookers.

                “There has been an incident. An unforeseen event that we could not have predicted.”

                The next image is that of a large pit, a hole dug in the soil of the planet. There is much rustling in the Chamber as the members, every one, react in shock.

                “What are we to do, Chief Council? This is a devastating development.”

                “We wait. Our agents have been watching one of our projects. It will be ready soon. In the meantime, we wait.”

                The rest of the Council is restless, wanting to believe, wanting to know that their leader will resolve the problem and put their plan back on track.

                The Chief remains still until the commotion quiets once again.

                “We cannot interfere, not personally. It will take time, but that is why we have sent our Travelers to that region.”

                “But will they be able to assist? They cannot show themselves either.”

                “They will make themselves known. In addition, there are others who will assist, knowingly or not.”

               

                The Council members leave the Chamber, it echoes with the rustling of their passing. The Chief continues to watch, and wait.

               

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