My Collection

Teri here:  My mother collects figurines. I counted 12 from the chair I’m sitting in as I write. But not me. I don’t collect recipe books, postage stamps, old coins, or antiques. 

Even though it’s a bit odd, I collect word-painting tips.  I glean them from books, the Internet, My Book Therapy Retreats, American Christian Fiction Writers conferences, and even a Jerry Jenkin’s writing conference. I apologize that I cannot remember exactly where each tip came from, but I present to you my collection of word-painting tips.

·      Use one sense to
 describe something usually characterized by another sense.  For instance, a bunny’s fur could be whisper-like soft.  This combines the sound of a whisper and the feel of fur.

  Or consider a backyard barbeque-smoked summer day. 

   Attach an emotion/attitude to adjective

--timid pink cheeks

--cheery red lips

--sassy dimple in her chin

--arrogant cheekbones

·      Use an hyphenated adjective to make a short-cut metaphor

--pirate-green eyes

--playboy-blue eyes

·      Use a noun as an adjective

--a California commute

--a hubby breakfast

--helicopter hair

--a frog wart

--cardboard courage

·      Use one of the senses to remind the character of an emotion in the past

--the aroma of a pumpkin pie evokes the feeling of family get-togethers

--cheep perfume reminds him of his high school girlfriend’s betrayal

·      Use all five senses: too often we limit ourselves to what is seen and heard, but smells, tastes, and tactile surfaces can add a spark of reality that draws the read in.

·      Use the senses to create the mood of the scene