Cupcakes and Writing: Funfetti

Funfetti:  Description

Whenever I see funfetti cupcakes with their kaleidoscopic display of fun colors, I can't help but smile. It's such a cheerful cupcake, bringing a little bit of joy and color to my day.  Otherwise, it'd just be a classic vanilla cupcake, which, while tasty, is nowhere as colorful and exciting.

I view those little colorful bits of yumminess in the cupcake and frosting as the description, imagery, simile and metaphor interwoven within the story.  It is possible to be overdone, and it is possible to be underdone.  It's a balance that I have yet to master, but I sure do appreciate it when I read it tastefully done within a story.

Now, I don't have a lot to say about this, except I could use some help in this area.  I know I write the bare bones of the story and therefore have a low word count.  I then go back and try to add more description as I revise and edit, but I know I could still add a lot more.  One book I found helpful in this area is Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan.  But other than that resource, I need help adding more colorful elements to my story.  Anyone else struggle with writing description?  Anyone feel they over or under describe?  Any tips or hints?

Here's to adding the perfect balance of cupcake and colorful bits to our stories!