: Re: Describing something that doesn't exist I'm in the middle of my first draft for my novel, and I can't seem to properly convey to my audience the image I'm trying to describe. That's what

@Deb2945533

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The thing with an imaginary object is this: people aren't going to see the exact same thing as you see in your mind, no matter how many words you pour on it. Each reader is going to imagine what you describe in a slightly different way.

For example, Tolkien describes hobbits in quite some detail. Yet here, here, here and here are four very different images of the same Bilbo Baggins.

With that in mind, how important is it that your reader imagines this particular car you have in mind, and not anything that's somewhat similar, but also different? How important is it that what you describe be distinct from anything else that might spring to mind when one reads "sleek silver hover-car"?

What details are important to the story you're telling? That it's a cool vehicle? That it's futuristic? Is it a one-of-a-kind, or is it an advanced model of something pretty common in the world you're describing? Focus on what would convey enough of a feeling of what you consider important. If the vehicle is exciting to your characters, that is conveyed by giving some details about it. The exact details are less important than the overall feeling they convey.

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