Writing Excuses 20.23: The Lens of the Senses
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Jun 8, 2025 Dive into the world of sensory details in storytelling! Discover how sounds, scents, and tastes can enrich character development and worldbuilding. The hosts share personal stories illustrating the power of sensory perception in creating emotional connections. Learn about innovative experiences like Darkfield, where storytelling comes alive in total darkness. Engage your creativity with exercises that expand your character's sensory interactions, making their world feel more real and immersive.
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Sensory Focus Shapes Character
- Howard Tayler listens to a room's acoustics with closed eyes to discern its size and ambiance.
- Mary Robinette Kowal contrasts this with her visual and tactile focus, showing how senses shape character perception.
Scent Triggers Vivid Memories
- Scent is uniquely powerful in triggering strong, vivid memories for many people.
- Sensory details can transport characters and readers into specific moments and emotions.
Using Analogies for Scents
- Describing scents through analogies enriches reader experience despite lack of precise terminology.
- Analogies connect unfamiliar sensory details to relatable sensations and emotions.