Craft Notes

How to

How to add sensory details…

See, Smell, Hear, Taste, Touch

When you add sensory details, your story becomes a personal experience for your reader. When I read, I see the story as a movie. Take readers into the world you created by using sensory words to heighten the connection of reader to story.

See

Rather than ‘He looked uncertain’, use looks like or resemble to show emotion. Think of color, intensity, value. He looked like a Labrador puppy standing on the Persian carpet next to his dark puddle as his owner approached. 

Smell

Smell also evokes emotion: An alibi as sour as an overripe onion.

Hear

Think of volume and tone when using audible cues. Rocks bounced down the hill booming like thunder rolls.

Taste

Sweet, sour, bitter, salty, savory, spoiled. Think of the foods you love or hate. When he awoke, his tongue tasted like rotted pork.

Feel

Use texture as an emotion. For example, fear: Skin prickled as if enduring a bath in ice water.