Rabbits Kittens Puppies Llamas Hamsters Ducklings... Man-made: Stuffed animals Blankets Sweaters Mittens Hats Scarves... Synonyms: downy, frizzy, furry, hairy, pilate, wooly... Describing texture in a story creates intimacy between reader and character, and can even cause an … [Read more...] about Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Fuzzy
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Setting Description Entry: Haunted House (inside)
SightDust, cobwebs, sheets on furniture, broken tables, chairs, windows, lamps, peeling wallpaper, gaps in the floorboards, holes in the walls, flickering lights (if there's electricity) chandelier with broken strings of crystals, broken glass on the floor, spiders, cockroaches, rust, mildew, ripped … [Read more...] about Setting Description Entry: Haunted House (inside)
Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Silver
Real World Comparisons: Nickels, dimes, quarters Safety pins Appliances: stainless steel blenders, toasters, microwaves, dishwashers, stoves, refrigerators, etc Cheese grater Cutlery Knife blades Mercury Sterling silver jewelry White gold Paper clips Fish scales Tin foil Clasps, … [Read more...] about Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Silver
Setting Entry: Swamp
Sight Dripping trees with black trunks, rotting vegetation, scummy water, reeds, frogs, slugs, leeches, catfish, craw fish, beetles, spiders, snakes, flies, mosquitoes, gnats clouds, lizards, bats, algae, dead trees, quicksand, crocodiles, alligators, worms, rippling water, curling mist, moss … [Read more...] about Setting Entry: Swamp
Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Arch
Natural: Plant stems Caves A snow-laden sapling Bent grasses An arched back Fingers tented or laced together... Man-made: Bridge McDonald's sign The Arc de Triomphe Tunnels Gateway trellis Wedding arch... Synonyms: curve, semi-circle, bow, arc, dome, vault, bowed, … [Read more...] about Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Arch
Setting Thesaurus Entry: Locker Room
Sight Lockers, locks, tile floors, entrance to showers and gym, benches, bin for dirty towels, clothes poking out of closed lockers, mirrors, faucets, bathrooms, soap dispensers, dirt/hair/wrappers/etc on the floor, empty lockers with doors ajar, scuffed gym equipment, soiled sports … [Read more...] about Setting Thesaurus Entry: Locker Room
Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Prickly
Natural: Cactus Porcupine Hedgehog Pine cone Pine needle branches Rose stems... Man-made: Hairbrush Pincushion Woolen blankets/clothing BBQ brush Cat or dog brush Barbed wire... Synonyms: spiny, thistly, nettlesome, barbed, bristly, briery, echinate, pricky... Describing … [Read more...] about Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Prickly
Setting Description Entry: Water Slide Park
Sight chain link fence around the grounds, colored tubes and slides standing/twisting high in the air, staircases, water dripping from rides, puddles of water everywhere, lifeguard stands, flags flying, wet patrons in swim suits, towels, wave pool packed with people, inner... Sounds bodies … [Read more...] about Setting Description Entry: Water Slide Park
Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Purple
Real World Comparisons Light: Aster Hydrangea Lilac Kale Turnip skin Mulberry... Medium: Orchids Crocus Heather Red onion Red Cabbage Beets... Dark: Concord Grapes Blueberries Grape Jello Clematis Eggplant Bruises... Shades of Purple: mauve, lilac, heliotrope, … [Read more...] about Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Purple
Setting Thesaurus Entry: Pub
Sight Booths, high tables and stools, long bar, hanging glass racks, mirror behind the bar, hundreds of different alcohol bottles, stools, kick plate along bar, straws, sprayers, TVs, beer/wine/highball/martini glasses, beer on tap, shot glasses, bowls of peanuts/pretzels... Sounds music, … [Read more...] about Setting Thesaurus Entry: Pub
Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Circular or Sphere
Natural: Pupils Animal eyes/fish eyes Mushroom caps Poplar leaves Peppercorns The "eye" of a flower... Man-made: Saucers Plates Polka dots Beads Jewels Basketball, baseballs, golf balls, tennis balls... Synonyms: sphere, globe, circular, ring, round, loop, halo, band, … [Read more...] about Colors, Textures and Shapes Entry: Circular or Sphere
Time to Leave Your Critique Group?
In past posts, we've looked at the right time to join a critique group, how to evaluate feedback and accept criticism, as well as what makes a critique group work. Sometimes though, a moment comes where a writer begins to question the effectiveness of a group. If things aren't working like they … [Read more...] about Time to Leave Your Critique Group?