The Little Things: Exploring Sensory Detail to Bring Characters to Life

By Jessica Handler

Stop what you’re doing, and pay attention to your senses. How your fingers feel on the keyboard, or your feet on the floor. What about sound? Is your playlist going (and what’s on it?) or is that a trash truck grinding away on the street? Does your mouth taste like this morning’s coffee or tea, or is there a half-dissolved mint or cherry or lemon or eucalyptus cough drop on your tongue? When you inhale, are you enjoying the scent of that last autumn rose in a pitcher on ...