Different body parts experience
the sensation of touch in unique ways. Fingertips have heightened levels of
sensitivity, but the tip of an elbow is desensitized.
Depending on how you
touch on object with certain body parts the feeling or experience will be
different and should be described relative to the sensation.
A few weeks ago I went camping in
Northern Michigan. As I hung my hammock in the trees, the continual prick of
pine needles tickled against my bare arms and legs. Sometimes, I’d turn the
wrong way and the pointed ends of the pine branches jabbed into my skin like
sharp knives. In mere seconds my goosebumps transformed into searing pain.
The ground was covered with a
thick layer of dead pine needles providing a soft pillow-like cushion for going
barefoot. Each step felt as though I walked on puffy clouds.
In only a few minutes I was able
to experience three distinct ways to experience the sense of touch as it
relates to pine needles. Depending on the nature of my trip, I could use any of
these three descriptions to set a specific tone for a story. If I was writing a
happy joy filled scene, I could describe the fluffy cloud-like layer of pine
needles. Or, if I was writing about a bad trip, I could describe the scene
using the piercing pain of pine branches. Both ways set different tones and
atmosphere for a story.
You can use your sense of touch
to set powerful tones for your writing scenes.
How many different ways can you describe the feel of the same
object? Such as the water? The sand? The forest?
Challenge yourself to go deeper in your writing and describe your
scene using the powerful sense of touch.
TWEETABLE
5 Ways to #Write Using the Five Senses, Touch - @CyleYoung on@EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Don't forget to round out your #writing with all 5 senses - @CyleYoung (Click to Tweet)
Great advice! I haven't looked at a picture merely from the perspective of touching the environment and all the different ways to interact with the nature around you.
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to journal some of those experiences today. I am in northern michigan right now! The upper part in copper harbor. It has been a trip full of senses for sure!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement. I tend to write "bare bones," trying to get to the point without the fluff of descriptors. One of my critique buddies is big on including sensory perceptions and always comments on my writing, "Sharron, help me touch this, taste this, smell this..." This blog is another reminder of the importance of drawing in the reader using our senses.
ReplyDeleteInspirational message. I enjoyed the activity and will apply the awakened skill. Thank you for sharing your insight and discipline.
ReplyDeleteTeach on!
Love this series, Cyle! Incorporating the senses into a scene is one of my favorite ways to establish a mood. Susan May Warren's books on the writing craft has helped me a lot in this area.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the writing exercise! It's the perfect writing warm-up activity.
Tessa
www.christiswrite.blogspot.com
Thank you, I'll try this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'll try this.
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent way to challenge our "remote" senses, to imagine ourselves physically embedded in a scene. Great writing practice. Thank you for this perspective!
ReplyDelete