Sight, Hearing, Touch, Taste, Smell
Hello, everyone. Welcome to the second in this series of writing process posts about using the physical senses in our writing — Writing with the Senses. In this series each installment will focus on each of the senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Last time we began with the sense of sight. Listen up, because this time the post is about hearing.
Part 2 — Hearing
In novel writing I try to involve all of your (the reader’s) senses. All the senses can work together. Descriptions of sounds can help readers see your story. Vivid adverbs help. However, the use of unexpected verbs adds richness to storytelling. A bell might ring, but do you hear it differently if the bell tinked? (By the way, it’s fine to use a bit of artistic license with such words. I recommend putting them in italics.)
For example, here’s a snippet from novelette, The Dance of Discord.
“Balderdash…” Milo muttered, his teeth closed with a barely audible snap.
He was just about to head to the room that had been transformed into a ladies’ lounge, when we all heard the sharp crack of a revolver.
The chatter-filled room went silent. The plaintive whine of the orchestra down in the ballroom stopped. The brilliant galaxy of colorful uniforms halted. Dancers turned with curious but tense expressions. After a moment, carrying clearly through the stillness, we heard the guttural exclamation of the German dignitary.
Milo nodded a silent approval of the unseen diplomat’s command. It was quick thinking. Act normally. Best to let the guests think the noise was anything but a gunshot. Then he turned away toward the direction of the gunshot. After the initial surprise, several partygoers also started to move in that direction. Once again, the orchestra faltered. However, the people stopped walking away when Chief Drummond climbed up to stand in a chair, with an easy smile on his face.
“All’s well!” he called. “One of the officers dropped his revolver, and it accidently went off. No harm done. On with the festivities!”
There was a moment of relieved chatter. The orchestra struck up a lively Polka which drew the dancers back to the floor. Stuart Drummond stepped down from his chair, flinching slightly at a twinge the maneuver caused in his knee, and caught up with Milo. Two other Secret Service men joined them, blocking the doorway that opened into a narrow hall.
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Your Turn!
Now it’s your turn. Focus on one of the images above. Really look at it. Imagine yourself inside that image. Look at the details of the subject and the background. Now, with only a few words, describe it.
What did you hear?
If you write nonfiction, this still works. Think about how you can make “hearing” part of your photograph, painting, or meditation. Yes, meditation. Focus, one at a time, on each of the things you hear. Think about all the details of the sound and how it makes you feel. If that’s a bad feeling, move on to the next sound.
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