Need some more help?

Question

The first scene describes the main character staring otu the prison bus window and seeing the prison ahead. Should I just blatantly start describing the prison or put it into small clumps?
Hopefully you understand. Thanks

Answer 1

What perspective are you using? If you're writing in first-person or third-person limited, you should describe it as the character sees it. That is, his/her feelings should color the description.
As for whether it should be described all at once or in small clumps, how important is the setting? If you want the setting to stand out as overbearing or make it seem very important, you might describe it all at once (like in the book "Rebecca," how overbearing Manderley is at the beginning). If it's secondary or you don't want your reader to get the sense that they should really focus on it, then don't give it as much room. (For instance, is the prison important in the whole story, or does the character leave pretty quickly? That might affect how much you show of it).

I hope this rambling makes a little sense.

Answer 2

I'd go with "small clumps", interspersed with interior monologue - what the guy is thinking as the prison gates draw nearer and nearer.
Maybe even a little flashback and/or flashforward (what he imagines life in the slammer is going to be like.)