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ORIGINAL: SylvereApLeanan

I have to disagree with this.  It may seem counter-intuitive, but the more details you give, the more real your scene will be for the reader.  The goal is to be specific, but not overload the reader.  If I write "a car went by" that doesn't set a scene.  It's vague and relies on the reader to supply the details.  However, readers don't like this.  They want to be put into the scene through active verbs and sensory details beyond sight.  If I write "a rusty yellow Pinto chugged down the street enveloped in a cloud of acrid fumes" it's much more evocative. 

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ORIGINAL: seekingreality

That is the art of writing. Sometimes "a car went by" is right, and sometimes it's wrong. For instance, maybe the scene is about two people having a heated argument, and a car goes by -- but you don't want the details of the car -- because the two people in the scene are too wrapped up in themselves to notice the details.

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ORIGINAL: SylvereApLeanan

If it doesn't move the story forward or give information about the characters, cut it. 

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ORIGINAL: SylvereApLeanan

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ORIGINAL: PeonForHer

And I think that some detail works, but not a lot of it.  In a sketch - a simple drawing - you can convey a feeling and a mood very easily, with just a few lines.  I think the same can be done with writing.  That way, the reader is free to imagine what he or she wants to imagine.  For instance, don't mention his or her hair-colour - that way  the reader can 'see' the hair-colour of his/her choice. 

And when you do details, add some tiny little thing, that may not even seem relevant.  Like: a clock on the mantelpiece.  It just helps things seem more real.

I have to disagree with this.  It may seem counter-intuitive, but the more details you give, the more real your scene will be for the reader.  The goal is to be specific, but not overload the reader.  If I write "a car went by" that doesn't set a scene.  It's vague and relies on the reader to supply the details.  However, readers don't like this.  They want to be put into the scene through active verbs and sensory details beyond sight.  If I write "a rusty yellow Pinto chugged down the street enveloped in a cloud of acrid fumes" it's much more evocative. 
 
Likewise, if I were to rewrite the opening line of this vignette as "She lounged on the bed, wearing nothing but his favorite butter-yellow camisole.  The color brought out the warm undertones of her skin and highlighted the golden flecks in her hazel eyes" it sets the scene and gives an idea of what the woman looks like without going overboard.  Also, never include irrelevant details because you'll lose track of them and create inconsistencies in the story.  If there's a clock on the wall at the opening, it should be important to the story or you should come back to it again later as a wrap up.  For example, the scene that seems to go on forever might only last thirty minutes.  The clock is a tangible element that grounds the reader in the scene.

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ORIGINAL: VaguelyCurious

What about setting or mood? If you want to drive home the idea that two people are in public, particularly if you're emphasizing the tension of a private interaction happening in a public space in view of other people, a car going by could be just perfect. It's not all character and plot.

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ORIGINAL: SylvereApLeanan

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ORIGINAL: VaguelyCurious

What about setting or mood? If you want to drive home the idea that two people are in public, particularly if you're emphasizing the tension of a private interaction happening in a public space in view of other people, a car going by could be just perfect. It's not all character and plot.

It's not necessary to give irrelevant details to accomplish those things.  It's where the writer places focus that matters.  If the focus is on the car going by instead of the scene that's taking place, then it serves no purpose and weakens the story.  If the writer can weave a car going by into the action in a way that moves the story forward (Ex. "Joe counted the cars going by until he could control his temper.") then fine.  Otherwise, it's more likely to drag down the pacing.  Cut it; it can go back in later if it needs to be there but chances are no one will miss it.