For Writers 1:

Emotions:

Strong emotions often make for compelling writing. However, some of us writers have trouble making strong emotions ring true. We want people to be very angry, very passionate, very regretful and so on, but we don't always describe the feelings. We need to build it up to make the reader believe it.

When I write about characters emotions, I try to ask myself:

-What emotions can I easily imagine this character feeling? List them.

-List the things that provoke each of these emotions in this character.

-List the ways in which the character displays these emotions. Remember every one reacts defiantly -to situations. What is my character reaction to a cretin situation?

-Have the character try to explain how he feels to someone in a monologue or dialogue.

-If there are any events that trigger particularly strong emotional reactions in him, think about why. If any of them are linked to past events, then write up those events--as journal entries, scenes, -dialogues, or anything else that seems appropriate.

-Pick an emotion I can't easily imagine this character feeling. What circumstances could provoke that feeling in him/her?

Descriptive Words:

Touch:

cool cold slick warm

damp wet rubbery tough

slippery mushy sharp oily

crisp sandy thin smooth

rough thick dry dull

hairy fuzzy slimy icy

bumpy gooey furry furry

Taste:

hot cold rotten fishy

sour spicy sugary salty

bitter crisp tasteless nutty

sweet awful

Smell:

sweet mint burnt musty

sour perfumed spicy fresh

sharp fishy spoiled nice

bad pine

Sound:

crash thud bump thump

bang thunder smash explode

roar shout scream screech

shout whistle whine squawk

blare slam stomp stamp

noise clap bark meow

moo boom yell whisper

hum snap hiss crackle

The following words can help you to write a good description paragraph:

Helper Words:

Properties Measurement Analogy Location

size length is like in

colour width resembles above

shape mass/weight below

purpose speed beside near

north/east/south/west

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