For the past two weeks, I have been on a tour: “The Land of Jesus and the Footsteps of Paul.” Sponsored by Harvest Church in Riverside, CA, the tour focused on Israel and the places Jesus visited, including a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee and communion in the Garden of Gethsemane. The second half was a Mediterranean cruise which stopped at Sicily; Ephesus, Turkey,; and Athens, Corinth and Crete, Greece.
The amazing review of Israel and the first century church inspired me to write a journal describing what I saw, smelled, heard, tasted and touched. It reminded me of how important it is when we write to include those senses in our work. To be told that the dinner was delicious is far outshined by a sentence saying: “The aroma of steamed carrots and baked apples wafted from the kitchen. Alan’s mouth watered.”
When you write, think of what the scene is like. In a street, what does the pavement smell like? Has it rained? Is there a scent of cement? Is it cold? Is there garbage around the corner? Or are you walking past a bakery? It is the scent of something that brings us back to another time or place. Scents are strong reminders of the past.
What about sounds? Standing on a busy street the sound of cars is very different from cars on a country road. A siren in the city bounces off buildings but in the country it disappears in the distance. The cacophony of bird songs in May is very different from the chirping in August.
And feeling again brings a different response. Have you ever compared Oriental rugs? Wool is thick and smooth but silk is soft and slippery. We had the chance to experience the different types of Oriental rugs in Turkey when we visited a factory where they made rugs by hand. The feel of an iris petal is softer than the grass. The salt water and pool water have very different sensual responses on the skin.
Of course we can’t forget sight. What is behind that tree? Inside the house? Under the tarp? What one person sees another may overlook. The author sees all, but chooses to relate only part of what s/he sees.
Taste? Turkey tastes milder than steak. How do they feel on the tongue? Onions are sharp on the side of the tongue. Honey stimulates the front.
All these senses when communicated to the reader bring life and vitality to an otherwise dull story.
Where can you add the senses to create life and excitement in your work?
Creatively,
Christina