To Succeed in Writing, Reel in the Senses of the Reader
Ideas on how to accomplish that stem from the imagination
Writers, your readers’ senses are the same senses you have. Those senses, the ability to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch, are delivered through your words to blow the minds of your readers. If they are satisfied, they’ll return for more. Maybe it’s a bit like watching your favorite movie, the one you hope never ends too soon. Of course, you then share with your friends why they must watch the movie too, right?
Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, you’re descriptions of a place like a restaurant will take your reader there if you describe everything based on your senses and transform it into words that take your readers there. You describe the building from the exterior to the interior. Describe your waitress. What about the smells in the restaurant? If you’re only eating a hamburger, maybe describe the texture of the bun and ultimately, you dive into the flavor of everything you’re eating.
You can take the same five senses to describe a person you just bumped into at the park. You can persuade your reader to nearly see the same person based on your descriptive language. Your writing will bring that experience to life for the reader.
Giving birth to an experience with words
When it comes to describing an experience, a skilled writer knows how to engage the reader’s senses. By tapping into the five senses — sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch — a writer can create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.
Through carefully chosen words and descriptive language, a writer can paint a picture in the reader’s mind. They can evoke the sights of vibrant colors or breathtaking landscapes, the sounds of bustling streets or serene nature, the smells of fragrant flowers or mouth-watering food, the tastes of delectable treats or exotic flavors, and even the tactile sensations that make one feel as if they are truly experiencing something firsthand.
By harnessing these sensory details, writers have the power to transport their readers to different times and places. Whether it’s describing a city market in Seattle or capturing the tranquility of a beach sunset in Kauai, words have an incredible ability to bring experiences to life.
So next time you find yourself captivated by a piece of writing that makes you feel as if you are there in person, remember that it’s likely due to the skillful use of sensory language. These writers understand how to engage your senses and make you feel like you’re part of the story.
Make your story their story
When it comes to writing, words have the power to transport readers into a different world and make them feel like they’re a part of the story. One effective way to achieve this is by using sensory words to describe an experience.
By incorporating sensory details into your writing, you can create a vivid and immersive experience for your readers. This allows them to not just read about an experience but truly feel like they are living it themselves. It’s not just magical that a writer can take you there, it’s their experience with using the right words.
Imagine describing a serene beach scene with words like “the gentle waves lapping against the shore,” or “the salty scent of the ocean filling the air.” These sensory words instantly transport the reader to that tranquil beach setting, making it their own personal experience. The writer chooses the right words. It’s not magic. It’s imagination and creativity.
By making your story the reader’s experience through sensory words, you can engage their senses and evoke emotions. That’s what a good writer wants to do.
Whether you’re working on a piece of fiction, travelogues, or even marketing copy, using sensory language allows you to connect with your audience for the purpose of leaving a lasting impression. Maybe that impression is so strong, it gets shared.
So next time you sit down to write, think about how you can incorporate sensory details into your storytelling. All you’re really doing is painting a picture with words, and those words capture the reader’s attention. Those words make them feel they’re right there in the moment.
The bottom line is that writers work hard in choosing the right words that elevate an experience so much, that the reader is right there with you.
Thanks for reading.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash.
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