Describing nature can quickly get boring when reading. There can be the pages of rich but ultimately pointless descriptions, or the repetitive garble of worn thin sentences and cliches. This exercise will help you craft powerful descriptions of nature. And read my other blog on cliches to avoid using them in your descriptions.
Let's explore how to better describe the senses in nature through this writing exercise.
Choose a natural setting: Think of a natural place you’ve been to or imagine one—this could be a forest, beach, mountain, meadow, etc.
Writing Exercise: The Senses in Nature
Write five sentences, each dedicated to a different sense:
Sight: What do you see? Describe the landscape, colours, and movements.
Sound: What do you hear? Is it the rustling of leaves, the distant call of birds, or the crash of waves?
Touch: What textures can you feel? Describe the coolness of the air, the rough bark of a tree, or the soft earth beneath your feet.
Smell: What scents are in the air? Is it the fresh scent of pine, the salt of the ocean, or the dampness after rain?
Taste: Imagine tasting the air—what flavours come to mind? Can you taste the saltiness of the sea breeze or the earthiness of the forest after rain?
Challenge yourself: Avoid using common descriptive words like "beautiful," "calm," or "quiet." Try to capture the essence of the place through vivid, original language.
Bonus:
Try to personify the natural elements. How do the trees "whisper"? What emotions might the wind "carry"?
Happy writing!
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