That third freckle, ten centimeters from his left nostril.

From the title of this post, you have probably inferred we're talking about detail this week. Details are at once important and easily overdone.

Readers need detail to feel submersed in the story. Where is the character? What does it feel like, smell like, look like? For example, say you're writing about Wisconsin. If you've ever visited, you know that saying "Wisconsin" is not enough. Is it northern or southern? Eastern or western? Is it Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, or Road Construction season? This will all make a difference. Is it seasonably cold or ridiculously cold - like this year, where Easter Eggs will have to be found under two feet of freshly fallen snow.

Do you see what I'm getting at here? Detail - especially sensory imagery - is needed by the reader. Not only does it spice up your writing, but it gives the reader a place to imagine you characters in.

There's a fine balance when it comes to detail. Too little and your readers won't be able to orient. They won't care how great your prose is until they know what to picture. Too much and they'll put your book down out of boredom. There isn't enough action to keep your hook ensnared in their reader minds.

To keep this balance up, I use the method of presenting a few key pieces of detail up front: like setting and a few important snippets either of characters or their surroundings. Then start the action and dialogue. To slow down a scene or break up a long exchange of dialogue, add more details that you haven't added before to "set the stage" so to speak.

P.S. Beware repeating the same detail. For example, if you've already mentioned the store your protagonist is in is crowded, don't mention it again unless you're foreshadowing.

P.P.S. The title of this post is a prime example of TOO MUCH detail. If this ever happens, DELETE, DELETE, DELETE!