SIP & SCRIBBLE
By Leigh Goff
Wine tasting and writing fiction may seem like two very differentrealms, but when you look closer, you'll see that they share intriguingsimilarities. Both experiences involve sensory exploration and the art of storytelling.
I recently began a journey into wine tasting and am now studyingfor my level 2 certification (yes, the homework rocks). How wine tastingappeals to me was similar to how I feel about writing. After some research, Idiscovered there was a connection. Just as a wine taster engages their sensesto explore the intricacies of a wine, a fiction writer harnesses the power ofsensory details to bring their story to life.
A highly skilled winemaker tends to the grapes and the winemakingprocess to produce a wine like a Napa Cabernet that boasts flavors of ripeblackberries, velvety dark chocolate with subtle hints of cedar, culminating ina full-bodied magical experience on the palate. When I craft a story, Iconstruct compelling plots, drawing on my sensory experiences to enhance themand then refine the work through editing and revision. In my first novel, Disenchanted , the story I createdwas filled with sensory details. I wanted to immerse the reader in the magic ofSophie's world, her star-crossed romance, and the haunting history of OldWethersfield.
Some writers through the centuries, such as Jane Austen, wereknown to imbibe on too much wine. Research from the University of Grazshows that drinking wine enhances creative thinking for writers. Of course, itdoes! Now winemakers are harnessing the art of storytelling to enhance theirconnection with consumers. Using a new phone app called Winerytale, theuser can read the story about a wine of their choice and learn about thewinemakers.
While wine tasting and writing fiction may seem unrelated, theparallels are undeniable. Both pursuits involve sensory exploration, layeredcomplexity, subjective interpretation, storytelling, and a blend of artistryand craftsmanship. The next time you savor a glass of wine or dive into acaptivating novel, take a moment to appreciate the shared essence of these twoworlds, where sensory delights and imaginative tales intertwine.
Cheers!
Leigh Goff writes young adult fiction. She is a graduate from the University of Maryland and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).
She has three published novels, DISENCHANTED, BEWITCHING HANNAH, and KOUSH HOLLOW. She is also a member of SCBWI and a graduate from the University of Maryland.
Learn more about Leigh Goff on her website and blog . Stay connected on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , and Goodreads .
