Writers Helping Writers^®

Posts by Angela Ackerman

Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Orange

July 23, 2009

Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Orange

July 23, 2009

Real World Comparisons: Light: Peach Salmon Nectarines Yam Apricot Cantaloupe… Medium: Mango Oranges Bird of paradise Traffic cones Pumpkins Carrot… Dark: Sunsets Robin’s breast Sweet potato Flames Orange tabby cat…

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Public Pool (outdoor)

July 18, 2009

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Public Pool (outdoor)

July 18, 2009

Sight Sun dappled water, kids splashing, swimming, waving, jumping, dunking, diving, plugging their nose, adjusting goggles, slapping at the water with pool noodles, paddling, kicking their feet, spitting out water,…

Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Triangular

July 16, 2009

Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Triangular

July 16, 2009

Natural: Shark’s teeth Mountain formations Bird beaks Funnel cloud Nose Moth wings/butterfly wings… Man-made: Candy corn Yield signs The pyramids Martini glasses Slices of pie, cake, pizza, etc. Bikini bottom……

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Old Pick-Up Truck

July 11, 2009

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Old Pick-Up Truck

July 11, 2009

Sight cracked/pitted windshield, dusty and faded dashboard, broken window cranks, muddy floor mats, scuffed interior, dial radio knobs, cassette player, broken radio, broken AC or heat, dusty vets, trash on…

Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Crumbly

July 9, 2009

Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Crumbly

July 9, 2009

Natural: Sand Sandstone Dried poop Rotten wood Soil Clay… Man-made: Whole grain flour Corn meal Cookies Muffins Biscuits Cakes… Synonyms: brittle, deteriorated, friable, powdery, pilled… Describing texture in a story…

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Zoo

July 4, 2009

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Zoo

July 4, 2009

Sight trees, bamboo, shrubbery, bees, mosquitoes, sidewalks, wooden walkways, buildings, fenced enclosures, glassed-in enclosures, well-worn animal paths from pacing, fences, concession stand, restrooms, picnic tables, gift shop, informative signs, vending…

Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Red

July 2, 2009

Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Red

July 2, 2009

Real World Comparisons: Light: Rhubarb Cayenne pepper Strawberries Watermelon Radishes Ladybugs… Medium: Red bell pepper Oscar red carpet Stop signs, yield signs, no entry signs Cranberries Canadian Red Cross symbol…

Writing 101: How to Show, Not Tell (Part One)

May 18, 2008

Writing 101: How to Show, Not Tell (Part One)

May 18, 2008

Show-Don’t-Tell is one of the cardinal rules for authors who want to engage readers and pull them into the story. But it’s one of the most challenging to understand and…

Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Confidence/Pride

May 15, 2008

Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Confidence/Pride

May 15, 2008

When it comes to emotion, sometimes we need a brainstorming nudge. After all, each character will express their feelings differently depending on their personality, emotional range, and comfort zone. We…