Illustrate your story - don't just say what's happening!

It is the author's job to make sure the audience knows what is happening. In order to do that, an author must always relate to the 5 senses when they are writing: Sight, Smell, Sound, Touch, and Taste.

I can't tell you the amounts of stories I've read that lacked the use of these five senses. You have to keep in mind that the readers aren't in your head; they cannot see what you see. If all you have is the actions and dialogue, your story is more suitable for a script! Describing your scenes in a vivid, imaginative, illustrative way will allow your readers to enter the world of your story, and be captivated by what is happening.

If you're not sure whether or not you have these illustrative skills, try the below exercise:

The Spaghetti Bowl

Take out a piece of paper, or start a new Word document.

Look at the picture below:

Now imagine yourself (or your character) eating the spaghetti.

In the new document or piece of paper, create a scene about you or your character eating the spaghetti. This segment can be in First Person or Third Person, whichever you choose.

Keep in mind:

• Sight: Bright red colors, pale noodles, brown table top, blue plate
• Sound: Squishy sounds of the sauce, clanking plates, slurps from you or person next to you
• Smell: Delicious (explain why), disgusting (explain why), nauseating, enticing
• Taste: Delicious (explain why), disgusting (explain why), bland, bitter
• Touch: Spaghetti feels too hard, too soft, overcooked, fork is too cold, plate is too hot

Remember: you can add anything to the scene. Perhaps you started eating the spaghetti, and you hated it, so when your mom wasn't looking you threw everything in your dog's food bowl. Perhaps it was too hot you burned your esophagus and had to be rushed to the doctor.

Be creative! If you would like some pointers and hints, you can send this exercise to Jayfsxomba@gmail.com (there is an active link on my "Contact Me" page). I will tell you what you're good at and what you need. Good luck everyone!

May your joy in writing lead you to happiness,

Jay