See. Smell. Hear. Taste. Touch. We all know the five senses, experience them in our everyday lives. But do you have them layered throughout your story? If so, do you have too many? Not enough? And did you know that one sense can trigger another?
What about when you look at a painting? I have one depicting three Native Americans riding their ponies through the snow-packed woods. When I look at them, I can hear the quiet plodding of their horses hooves, feel the dampness of a bleak day and taste the cold on my lips.
Hearing |
Sight |
Touch |
There is another aspect to touch―what a character feels inwardly. Whether relating to ‘matters of the heart’ or a shock to the system, it’s always best to show what the character feels rather than to tell it. Putting a word or a group of words in italics emphasizes emotion and internal thought, to include disbelief, sarcasm, surprise and fear. Using body language allows the reader to experience firsthand what the character is experiencing―a flutter in her heart, coldness pricking her spine, knees wobbling―and allows for a better connection to the character and the story.
Smell |
As
you hone your skills, you'll find you can use one or two sentences to invoke a
variety of senses. Ex: Jack walked into the crowded restaurant. His stomach
grumbled at the delicious aroma of pumpkin pie wafting from the kitchen… and his
heart skidded to a stop when his gaze settled on a familiar face seated at the
back table. Or, beneath a hot sun, Jack crested the hill and reined in his
mustang, dragged a gloved hand across his brow and stared long and hard at the
neat farm house below. A woman stepped onto the porch and his pulse began to
pound. Tall, with long, ebony hair curling around her waist, the last time
their paths had crossed, she’d run him off her land from behind the barrel of a
shotgun.
Be creative when layering the senses, but don't use the same descriptions throughout the story. And don't over-burden the reader with description. Good narrative and a few well-placed words and she’ll feel as though she’s right in the middle of the action.
Julie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely reminder. I often forget this when writing a scene. :-o
Hi Kristy: I do the same, especially with sight--I always forget to describe something a character is seeing.
ReplyDelete