Write2Ignite

Summer is gone. Fall is in full swing. Winter will soon be on our doorsteps. So now is the perfect time to practice some seasonal sensory exercises to stir your writing imagination.

Exercise #1: Sight

Fall is a wonder for the eyes. Look at the photo below. What do you see? What catches your eye? How does the foreground affect the background? Do you see any patterns?

Take a few minutes to write a few descriptive phrases about what you see in this scene.
Challenge: Write a short poem describing the blending of colors during fall.

Exercise #2: Sounds

Although you can’t tell from the photo below, the day was very blustery. The wind was tossing the branches and leaves to and fro. You also see the water rushing down upon the rocks.

Using either the trees and leaves or the water as inspiration, write a few sentences describing the sounds you would hear if you were observing this site in person.
Challenge: Write some phrases using Onomatopoeia (words that imitate sounds).

Exercise #3: Smell and Taste

Fall is the season of aromatic smells and delectable tastes. Think about your favorite soup during this time. Is it chicken, butternut squash, split pea, or a chowder? What do you smell? How about some fresh, pumpkin pie baking in the oven? What does that taste like when you take that first bite?

Take a few moments to write some descriptive phrases about these or other scents of the seasons, as well as the tastes of the yummy comfort foods you can eat at this time.
Challenge: It’s easy to write about smells we love. Try writing a few sentences describing the smell of burnt bread or the taste of some incorrectly seasoned recipe.

Exercising our sensory skills is an important practice to make our writing appealing to our readers. Since our audience won’t often have visuals to look at (unless it is a picture book), learning how to effectively translate the senses into words is key for writing success.

What is your favorite fall sense?

Unsplash.com credits: Photo 1 – Alex Geerts, Photo 2 – Ricardo Gomez Angel, Photo 4 – Josie Rees.

Catherine L. Osornio has written inspirational articles for a women’s ministry newsletter, over 200 leveled reader stories for a school’s reading program, fiction and nonfiction articles for Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. magazines, The Declaration of Independence from A to Z, Thunder Comes a Rumblin’, Mosquitoes Infect!, plus various work-for-hire projects. A former elementary school librarian, Catherine is passionate about sharing the love of reading. She enjoys cartooning, illustration, and reading kids’ books. Email her at CLOsornio@verizon.net or visit her at www.catherineosornio.com.