Ian Dawson's Blog - Posts Tagged "taste"

Writing Challenge: A Sensory Exercise

The next time you’re out someplace waiting in line, getting food, ordering a coffee, or at the mall, take a few moments to fully take in your surroundings.

• What do you see?

• What do you hear?

• What do you feel?

• What do you smell?

• What do you taste?

Take out a notepad, or open the Notes App on your phone if that would make you feel less self-conscious. Write down everything you take in with your senses. Sights, sounds, colors, mannerisms, people quirks, etc. Almost as if you are looking at a moving painting.

Later, take your notes a write out the scene with as much detail as possible, using all the sensory elements as a guide. Paint the reader a vivid picture as if they are present at the location with you.

Do a few drafts, adding more detail and sensory elements with each pass.

Once you feel you’ve created a sensory-loaded piece, give it to a trusted friend or loved one to read. Did they experience all the sensory elements?

This is a great exercise to work on bringing the reader into a scene in more vivid and dynamic ways.

Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
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Published on August 16, 2022 03:02 Tags: five-senses, sensory-exercise, sight, smell, sound, taste, touch, writing-challenge, writing-exercise, writing-fun