Adding Sensory Details in Creative Writing
As a writer, painting vivid images with words is your forte. However, writers often forget the sense of touch within their storytelling. The sense of touch can add another layer to your story, providing readers with a sensory experience that enhances the emotions and tone. So, let’s dive into the art of touch in creative writing and how you can utilize this sense to make your writing exceptional.
The sense of touch encompasses everything tangible, from texture and surface to temperature and pressure. In literature, this sense adds depth to the characters, setting, and plot. One of the most famous examples that come to mind is Charles Dickens’ novel, Great Expectations. In the book, he uses touch to bring alive the character of Estella. When Pip meets Estella, he is immediately entranced by her ethereal beauty, but when he touches her cold hand, it is almost as if he is frozen, emphasizing the stark contrast between them. This touch tells us a lot about the characters’ relationship and their motivations in the story.
Another example of touch is D.H. Lawrence’s infamous Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Lawrence introduced sensuality in writing by utilizing the power of touch. In this book, he explores through touch, emotions, and physical relations. His prose is so beautifully crafted that he makes even the banal seem remarkable. This book perfectly shows how touch can enrich the writing and create an intimate atmosphere.
One way to incorporate touch in your writing is to focus on the small things. Clothing is a great way to add texture – the roughness of wool or the slickness of silk. The fabric can tell us about the character’s status or the environment they are in. Additionally, textures can tell us about the setting, from the smoothness of an ice surface to the chipping away of a brick wall. These elements make it easier for the reader to imagine and immerse themselves in the story.
Another way to utilize touch is by incorporating temperature. Hot, warm or cold can evoke emotions such as danger, comfort or security. For instance, in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, the Starks’ home, Winterfell, is cold and harsh; it implies nothing about the people there but tells us about their surroundings.
Incorporating touch into writing is not just about physical sensations. It’s also about how touch moves the plot forward. A kiss on the forehead is different from a kiss on the lips. The former is a gesture of care, while the latter is a sign of intimacy. Through touch, characters can communicate their emotions or intentions.
Writing is a craft that requires not just creativity but also attention to detail. Touch in creative writing is important in bringing a story to life. So, don’t let the sense of touch be forgotten amidst the chaos of drafting. Explore how touch can enhance and elevate your writing—whether it’s a simple touch of a hand to convey empathy or a lingering touch that ignites passion. Keep writing, keep exploring and keep touching people with your words.
