I'm sure you've all heard your teachers tell you repeatedly to be descriptive with your words. This is because words are the tools we use every day to communicate what we think and how we feel. A world without description would be very dull. Undoubtedly you've heard your teachers or your parents pose the following questions:
Why say 'nice' when you could say 'sublime?'
Why say 'sad' when you could say 'devastated?'
Why say 'beautiful' when you could say 'exquisite?'
Why do writers choose such complicated words instead of going with ones that are easier to understand?
Maybe they do so because words have more power than you might initially think. When words are chosen thoughtfully, and guided by your imagination, they can function like a camera.
What do I mean?