Come to Your Senses

Want to improve all your writing? Here's an easy way: make it sensory. Here's a definition of sensory: relating to sensation or the physical senses; transmitted or perceived by the senses: sensorily (adverb.)

When we forget our senses, our writing becomes abstract. Readers can't grasp our meaning. Therefore, aim to make as much use of your senses as you can, both when you're writing, and when you aren't.

Take a moment now, and look around you, and feel. Breathe deeply. What can you see, hear, touch, taste and smell?

I'm sitting at the computer at my desk, leaning back in my chair. My iMac screen is in front of me. I can hear a pigeon cooing outside my window, and the faint hum of the backup disk attached to my computer. The keyboard is cool underneath my fingertips; it's May, closing in on winter in the southern hemisphere, so it's a cool morning. My hands are slightly cold. I smoked for many years; I enjoyed smoking while writing. Once I gave up smoking, I chewed gum while writing, so I can taste the minty flavor of the gum. When I take a deep breath, I can smell my coffee, steaming on the desk in front of me, releasing the fragrance of cinnamon and hazelnut into the cool air.

What are your senses telling you, right now?

Watch for sensory writing

Today, when you're reading, watch for examples of sensory writing.

For example, LaVyrle Spencer's fiction is highly sensory. You become lost in her stories, because your senses put you there.

Exercise 8. Practice using your senses.

Just for today, take a notebook with you wherever you go. Write a few short sentences describing where you are, making use of your senses.