Words & style · Tip 47 of 82 · 4 min read
Use Your Five Senses
Help readers feel like they're right inside your story by using sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.
When you read a really good story, it can feel like you're right there. How do writers do that magic trick? They use the five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.
Most writers only use one
Most of the time, we only write about what characters see. But the other senses are just as powerful, and smell is the sneakiest of all. A smell can make a reader feel hungry, happy or scared in a second!
Okay 😐
Ana walked into the bakery. It had lots of cakes.
Wow! 🤩
The bell jingled as Ana pushed open the door. Warm air wrapped around her, smelling of cinnamon and melted butter. Rows of cupcakes sparkled with pink icing, and the floor was sticky under her shoes.
Count the senses in the second one: sound (the bell), touch (warm air, sticky floor), smell (cinnamon and butter) and sight (sparkly cupcakes). You can almost taste them!
Sense questions to ask yourself
- 👀 See: What colours, shapes or movements are there?
- 👂 Hear: Is it noisy or quiet? What's making sounds?
- 👃 Smell: Does it smell yummy, stinky, fresh or smoky?
- ✋ Touch: Is something rough, soft, cold, wet or prickly?
- 👅 Taste: Is your character eating, or can they taste the salty sea air?
Twigs snapped under Omar's boots. The air smelled of wet leaves and mud. Something cold dripped onto his neck, and far away, an owl hooted twice.