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Writing Craft

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Old Abandoned Mine

December 5, 2009

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Old Abandoned Mine

December 5, 2009

For a reader to relate to the story’s action, they need a physical anchor to tie the characters to. But it can be difficult, finding the right words to convey…

Colors, Textures and Shape Entry: Stripe

December 3, 2009

Colors, Textures and Shape Entry: Stripe

December 3, 2009

Real World Comparisons: Nature: Rainbows Zebras Tigers Raccoon Tail Skunk Stripe ball python… Man Made: Layer cake Candy Cane Barber Pole Hazard signs Hair highlights Racing stripe on cars… Synonyms…

Colors, Textures and Shape Entry: Heart

November 25, 2009

Colors, Textures and Shape Entry: Heart

November 25, 2009

Natural: Heart Bleeding Heart blooms Clover leaves Strawberries Galešnjak, a heart-shaped island in Croatia Calla Lily… Man-made: Valentine’s chocolates Paper valentines Heart locket Jewelry Decorative waffles Cookie cutter… Synonyms: none Describing…

Colors, Textures and Shape Entry: Squishy

November 21, 2009

Colors, Textures and Shape Entry: Squishy

November 21, 2009

Natural: Mud Wet clay Ripe bananas/pears/peaches/grapes Cellulite Wet snow Cheeks Hugs Liver/organs Fat Rare/raw meat Sea onions Raw fish Clams/oysters Slugs Mushrooms Fresh sap beads Egg yolk Raisins, dates, prunes…

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Teen Bedroom Closet

November 14, 2009

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Teen Bedroom Closet

November 14, 2009

Sight Clothing on hangers, laundry hamper, pile of rumpled clothing, orphaned socks, shoes lined up in a row or thrown together in a jumble, shelving, coats, books, board games, stuffed…

Color Thesaurus Entry: Transparent

November 4, 2009

Color Thesaurus Entry: Transparent

November 4, 2009

Real World Comparisons: Natural: Clean rivers, streams, lakes Dew drops Rain drops Melted snow Ice Jellyfish… Man Made: Glass lenses Pool water Glass Suran wrap Ziplock bags Plastic slip covers……

Shape Thesaurus: Spiral

October 29, 2009

Shape Thesaurus: Spiral

October 29, 2009

Natural: Vines, creepers Falling leaves DNA strands Sea shells Tornadoes Fiddle heads… Man-made: Old phone cords Bed springs Perms Rotini pasta Energy saving light bulbs Cinnamon buns… Synonyms: helix, coil, corkscerw,…

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Attic

October 24, 2009

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Attic

October 24, 2009

Sight insulation, exposed wooden beams, pipes, wiring, exhaust fan, porthole window, cracks showing light, airflow tubing, mice/rat/small animal feces, bugs, spiderwebs, dirty floors, dust, boxes, barrels, trunks, old furniture, broken…

Colors, Textures and Shapes: Crusty

October 22, 2009

Colors, Textures and Shapes: Crusty

October 22, 2009

Natural: Scabs Dried sea foam Lime Dried Tears Tree bark Water scale… Man-made: Meringue Buns Scones Over gelled hair Bread Pastries… Synonyms: flaky, crispy, brittle, well baked, scabby… Describing texture…

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Ocean/Sea Bed

October 17, 2009

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Ocean/Sea Bed

October 17, 2009

Sight sand, shells, sea cucumber, coral (brain, staghorn, sea fan, sea whip), rocks, fish (tuna, cod, swordfish, clown fish, salmon, blow fish, sunfish, sailfish, marlin, grouper) octopus, crabs, clams, conch…