Fast Start for NaNoWriMo Day 14 - Setting - 10 Days until...

[ladyseishou]

I try to use all of my senses when describing a setting, and try to think
of everything that would impact a character in any given scene.

- Mercedes Lackey




Today starts our daily countdown to the start of NaNoWriMo. Ten days, Nano Writers! Today, we're going to work with a visualization exercise to describe our story world using our five senses...

There are many resources on the web to help writers build imaginary worlds. My personal favorite is the list compiled by science fiction writer Patricia C. Wrede that may be found here. But given our time constraints, here's an exercise that uses visualization and your imagination, to help you "experience" your story world first hand as your main character...

You are here, in this place. You are waiting. What do you see? List five things: something that stands in front of you, above you, below you, behind you, and something about your reflection staring back at you from a shiny surface (puddle, shard of glass, etc.)

There is a sound. As you listen, carefully, list five things you hear (be sure to listen for both man-made and natural sounds).

You notice a smell now. Is it pleasant? Sour? Complex? List five things that it might be the source of the smell.

Underneath the others, there's a smell that reminds you of tasty things to eat. Name five things that you like to eat and drink.

Hungry now, you reach into your pocket or bag to check for something. Is it money? Using only your sense of touch, name five things that you have with you in your pocket or bag.

It's this kind of sensory details that will bring a scene alive for the reader. Keep in mind the old adage: show - don't tell. Rather than say that your character is angry (three words), write about the sound of the character's fist grinding into the rotten wood of the door frame (ten words).

Is this word padding? Tell us what you think!


And in case you missed it the first time: ten days to the start of NaNoWriMo, Nano Writer! Tomorrow, we'll bring this week's work all together and create a story "bible." Until then, keep writing!

Comments

[yifu]

Word padding and a more delicious way to convey the character's feelings.

[geminianeyes]

I agree with this.

[travelingdreamer]

Yes!