Natural:
Tree line (pine/spruce)
Leaves
Thorny canes (branches)
Shark teeth
Humpback whale fin
Snapping turtle shell…
Man-made:
Serrated knife
Hand saw
Circular saw
Rip saw
Picket fence
Backhoe scoop…
Synonyms: serrated, pleated
Describing a shape is best done in as few words as possible. Think of the shape as a camera snap shot–you want to capture the gist of what you mean as soon as possible so you can get on with other related (and more important) detail, and the action happening in the scene
Accurate shape comparisons will streamline your prose, allowing you to describe an object quickly so the reader’s focus stays on the action and events of each scene.
Want access to a plethora of real-world comparisons for specific shapes so you can spend your description currency on what matters most? We have you covered. This thesaurus has been expanded by 50% and integrated into our online library at One Stop For Writers. There, you’ll find an intuitive list of ideas to choose from, cross-referenced for easy searchability. To view a free sample of this descriptive thesaurus and others, head on over and register at One Stop.
Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.
Glad it helps, Sara!
Thanks for the info. I often have a hard time describing the five senses through the characters. Sense, for me, are a hard thing to put across in fiction. There are just so many ways to describe the smell of a Thanksgiving dinner, or taste of something bad.
Thank you for the hints.
http://sara-jackson.blogspot.com
Meatloaf and roadkill… ew.
Loved the post!
Not sure what’s up with the comments. I think I have a gremlin. But thanks everyone, no matter what post you’re commenting on!
Okay. This is odd. I clicked on Diner, but at at Saw-edged. >.< (Which was also lovely.) I love the way I can almost smell and hear the diner as I read your descriptions. They were fabulous as always! Thanks for the time you devote to helping so many out. 😀
I will never look at meatloaf the same way. Great post!
These are great. Thank you!
I love the image of tents snapping and crackling in the wind. I like the way you show an effective image and a less than ideal one; it really helps me with my revisions.
Interesting. I like the example you use.
Solo Angela!
this is a great one. Something I don’t normally think of but that can leave a lasting impression with the right choice of words!