Using Sensory Perception in Your Writing
By Andrea Merrell
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnevDsfD73cFeJ6VYTEhREalcq62DODmta0jjxfgAMO2KryYjp3Z6nCkw0HdGPg4g4e_WUPCKOcgLaCVhZ5G4GOelPseujSzQBXmAI-6RJgCOizTG3bUCldetXPihwKAJYkeW_buHt3M4/s320/Inspiration+-+Stuart+Miles.jpg)
As an example, a couple of years ago I was on the faculty at a writers’ conference at a local university. After the lunch break, I was sitting in the area where books and other materials were being sold when a fascinating thing happened.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fDhaEdxkpAYz1XNyCBs6tJpsZs-rsB7m6boU_MOjKQflaZogDptrtbpCLPS5ZUMjp5v3nj6tfPGI6u4k81t9kgQTNplja-Y-ejIU16AjZik3dHVpn4hnmNAK9M5yiV25cQ0lKStIv1E/s320/Hands+over+eyes+-+artur84.jpg)
This reminded me of a ladies’ retreat many years ago at a local state park when our leader took us on a hike. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we were headed toward the lake. As we neared our destination, she stopped and gave us instructions. “When you reach that tree,” she said, pointing toward a massive pine, “stop talking and listen. You can sit or walk around, but don’t make a sound until I give the signal.”
As soon as we knew what was coming, we chattered like magpies until we reached the tree. It still amazes me to think how fast twenty women stopped talking. There was complete silence within our group for about ten minutes. Then our leader asked us what we had perceived during our time of reflection. As each lady shared, many of the things were similar: airplanes overhead, a crow, ducks quacking on the lake, and the wind whispering through the trees. One person thought she heard the sound of a gunshot while another overheard an argument between a young couple and smelled the rancid smell of someone’s charred burgers.
Putting the Senses to Work
Allowing our characters to use their senses will take our writing to the next level. We hear it all the time: show—don’t tell. This is when we make our words come alive as we invite our readers to experience our story—not just read about it. Can they see the scene unfolding before them as it plays out in their mind? Are there any sounds which might cause anxiety or fear? What can they smell? Maybe it’s a burned burger or the delightful aroma of fresh baked muffins coming from the local bakery. Can you describe the food in such a way that your reader can almost taste it? Do the objects in the room seem so real they can almost touch them?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkkaha-tV6y2p5yCdPMSGugB-wDiMuUNjH4E0nFWGDuVwjHhUwtgWOXmEYoymFNZTGad56n3wqjcCZsMHZA5UklKcHutHw8KcMcu8yetxqGiza4msnEU8otpYqSaii_S0cmDmiXBZ_6A/s320/Woman+reading+2+-+marin.jpg)
(Photos courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/Stuart Miles/artur84/marin.)
TWEETABLES
Thank you Andrea. I have started using my senses more when I write. I find that it livens up the scene or devotion. Something that I want to become better at. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've read your work, Sheryl, and you're doing a great job. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)
Delete