Education Grab Readership With Full-Sensory Writing

Most Americans are visual people. We see people's points, look at problems from every angle and read between the lines. You may be wondering what's wrong with that. After all, you want your writing to be visual, right? While it's true that you want your writing to paint a picture for the reader, never neglect the power of using all five senses to draw a person into the scene. Let's take a scene from a novel, for instance. Imagine you're writing a scene between your hero and leading lady. You describe the look on the hero's face as he gazes at the love of his life, the stormy blueness of his eyes, the cleft in his chin. You add that he sees a tear trickle down her cheek. Wonderful! Now, what about the other four senses? Sound Is the hero's breathing ragged and hoarse, or is it deep and calm? What sounds linger in the background? If the setting is a castle bailey, you may hear the ring of a blacksmith's hammer or the clucking of a chicken. A more urbane setting may include the tinkle of wine glasses or the showering notes of a harp. Immerse yourself in the sounds and then write them into the scene. Smell Do your characters smell of sweat or perfume? What about their environment? Hone in on their surroundings and small what they smell. Are the scents harsh and intrusive-does the smell of horse manure waft from a nearby stable-or does the fragrance of flowers or baking bread add to the emotion of the moment? Follow your nose. Taste If your scene contains food, this is easy. Does the heroine taste the seductive flavors of strawberries and champagne, or are they dining on wild game charred over an open fire? Focus on the taste. If your scene doesn't include food, open your mind to other taste possibilities. Does the tear that trickles down the heroine's cheek run onto her lips, where she tastes the salt? Did the hero just get in a fight? A cut lip could leave him with the metallic taste of blood in his mouth. Touch Touch is explosive and emotive. As he reaches out to cup her face in his hands, how do his hands feel on her face? Are they rough and calloused from working long hours, or are they the smooth hands of a rich man? Whether your characters are dressed in silk, homespun or buckskin, focus on the feel of the material against the skin. Think about every texture in the scene and how it might play into the emotion you're trying to convey. Once you take the time to focus, it's easy to see how the use of all five senses can enhance any scene. Don't imagine, either, that this only works for fiction. Whatever your writing genre, make it a full-sensory experience for your reader. You will boost your readership and leave them coming back for more! resume writing services