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Very punny, no? :D
We all know that writing with all our senses is very important. No matter what your genre is. It's easier when we're writing about something familiar though. Right? If you live near the ocean for example, you probably know about that saltwater smell, the wind blowing off the water, the feel of the sand between your toes.
But what if you're writing about a desert planet in another star system? Or the jungles of a whole other world? How do you know what it feels, smells, sounds like? Because let's face it, you have to be specific. You have to know your world - even if it's one that exists only in your head.
But everyone can benefit from this exercise. Suppose you live by the ocean, but you're writing about the desert? And you just can't afford a trip to Arizona for research? So stretch your writing muscles, and give this a shot:
You're writing a story about the lost city of Atlantis. And NO I don't care if you never write fantasy - I said stretch here people!! Ahem. Now what is Atlantis like? Who lives there? Pretend you are one of the citizens and answer the following questions:
1. What does it look like? Is there plant life? What building materials do your people use? What's the lighting like?
2. What does it sound like? Is everything altered because it's underwater? Or is it somewhere else, and there is no sound? Is it quiet, or noisy? If it's noisy, what's making it that way?
3. What does it feel like? What's the ground made of? Clothes? Again - is there water all around or air?
4. What does it smell like? Is the air stale? What kind of food is plentiful? How do those plants smell if that's what's there?
5. What does it taste like? Is it underwater and you taste the salt? What's your favorite or least favorite food?
Okay now here comes the trickiest part. Ready? Now decide what your mood is, and go back and answer these questions. How do the answers reflect your character's perspective? Ahhh, now we've got something more than just description. We have something that weaves together to create an unforgettable scene.
It's like magic. A great tool for all writers no matter the genre. So don't forget to use your senses.
I think I find it easy to remember the other senses in my writing. Then again, I rely heavily on senses with my deafness.
ReplyDeleteWhich makes it easy to forget to include sounds, hearing with the characters of my book. I have to remind myself constantly they're not deaf, they hear things I wouldn't. (Hugs)Indigo
Indigo - thanks for sharing that, I find it really interesting to learn from your perspective on this topic.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I'm writing these five points down for later use! You're kind of brilliant, you know that right?
ReplyDeleteHeather - I love it when I get called "brilliant" - it's really good for my ego. :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea to filter observations through a mood or attitude! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJami - glad it was helpful!
ReplyDeleteGood points! If I'm writing about a real place that I've never been to, I'll ask if anyone on my writer's Loops has. I usually get wonderful details I wouldn't have been able to get on my own.
ReplyDeleteJill - Always a good idea to research by asking others and/or (my own favorite) the internet and google maps!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, and great exercise! I forget some of the senses in my writing sometimes.
ReplyDelete:)
Lydia - thanks! It's easy to do (forget I mean).
ReplyDeleteVery nice! It's so important to make our worlds real. This is terrific advice! I've been playing around with a brand new setting in my head and these questions will all help! :)
ReplyDeleteLovin' the post. It's also cool to I.D. your character's dominant sense. I have hyper-smelling powers. It's a curse! Psst, I think I saw the real Atlantis once on the submarine ride at Disneyland before it turned to Nemo, so I'll be writing from memory.
ReplyDeleteJemi - Thanks, and I'm glad it's helpful to you!
ReplyDeleteLeslie - Bzzz! No cheating!! :P
During revision, I always have to go through and add sensory details. It's just a given. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Lisa! I'm with Laura. Since setting almost always gets ignored in my first draft, I have to go back to add it and the sensory details during a later draft.
ReplyDeleteLaura and Stina - that's interesting because with me it happens in pockets. It's like when I'm concentrating on one part in the rough draft some other thing goes to the wayside. So bit by bit I go through and even it all out!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great exercise! Is it okay if I post this in my writing resources links? I need to remember to do this when I get stuck in my first draft and to add more to the setting in my next draft. Actually, come to think of it, I've had a a hard time getting into my most recent scene (a ha! new setting!) and this might be just the ticket!
ReplyDeleteMargo - so glad it was that inspiring for you! Of course you can add it. :D
ReplyDeleteThis was a good writing lesson :) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCatherine - Glad to do it!
ReplyDeleteAh, this post has helped me come to my senses! Sometimes I know what I'm trying to convey, but I struggle to come up with just the right words. So I'll put notes to myself in parentheses.
ReplyDeleteJulie - *groans* okay I was asking for that! But however you do it, you do a really nice job with just this.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great exercise here, thanks so much! I love putting the mood spin on it at the end. Isn't it amazing how that changes our perceptions?
ReplyDeleteSusan- thanks! Mood really does change our perceptions. It's human nature.
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