that moment, the moment of ultimate truth, he became a tortured thing; twisted, primal, and supremely evil."

2. Are there sounds that heighten the experience? If so, what can you compare them to?

"The unrelenting wind howled like the wail of a banshee."

3. Is there an aroma in the air that you want to capture?

"The sky was gray and overcast as the clouds hung heavy with moisture. The fragrance of a late fall rain held the promise of a crisp new snow."

4. Does your character sense or feel anything as the experience unfolds? Or perhaps, you, the writer, are the one reacting to the moment.

"The awkward way, in which she shifted her weight from one foot to the other revealed her nervousness and discomfort with what was taking place."

5. While the sense of taste is used less often as a means of description, there are instances in which it becomes very important.

"Ah, I still remember that first kiss and the sweet taste of such youthful innocence. She was spun sugar and heady wine. First I sampled her sweetness and then I drank her in."

When you have considered each of these questions, rewrite your narrative adding your new descriptors. Novice writers will frequently end up overdoing the use of descriptive language when making a conscious effort to develop a sensory-oriented narrative. You can avoid this by reading your work aloud to a friend or fellow writer and asking for feedback. You will want to hear that what you have written entices and invites your reader into your story. If you receive feedback that suggests that your imagery overpowers the basic action or movement of your piece, then rework what you have written, eliminating some of the metaphors and similes that you have used.

VI. Let Experience Work its Magic

Very few kindergartners smoothly pedal away when training wheels are first removed. Some wobble for a time. Others take a spill or two before "getting their wheels under them." Moms and dads stand in the driveway, yelling encouragement, as their "tricycler" turns into a two-wheel enthusiast.

Give yourself permission to be "in training" for a few weeks as you grow accustomed to writing with the senses. You'll realize one day that you are past the wobbly stage and composing descriptive narratives like a veteran. Writing regularly is an important prerequisite to writing well. Now that you've completed this tutorial, it's time to go to work and engage your senses in the world of descriptive writing. See it, smell it, hear it, taste it, and sense it. Then, write about it!

Learn more about this author, Dr. Deborah Bauers.
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