Dear Writers,
If you want to engage your readers at the highest level, you will want them to feel like they are right there, in the thick of the story, with your characters.
Of course, for this, you need great characters and a great plot! But for these to work their magic, you need to be able to describe your scenes so well, that your readers feel like they are there.
Here’s an idea:
If you’re going away this summer, whether it’s out for the day, or a longer trip, take your writing journal with you, and describe some of the places you find yourself in.
These might be coffee shops, beaches, parks, caves, castles, forests, hills…
This is a place I love to visit, in Kent:
It’s sooo peaceful! All you can hear are birds, sometimes a sheep bleating (lambs in spring!), planes going over (it’s not too far from Gatwick airport) and if it’s breezy, the wind in the trees.
Take a little time alone, if you can, and soak up the scene you visit (there’s a bench right there, where I took that photo), then write down what you see.
These prompts might be useful:
- Who is there?
- What are the dominant colours and shapes?
- What sounds can you hear?
- Is there any fragrance/odour?
- Close your eyes. What does it feel like to be there?
- Imagine being in that place at the age of your reader. What would you see differently?
Have fun with this, and I’ll see you next week – and don’t forget to tell me where you’re going on holiday (vacation!), and where you’re going to try this out. Always love to hear from you!
Every blessing,
Janet
P.S. Even if you don’t use the description of these scenes, the practice will be invaluable. 🙂