As a writer I try to use the five senses in my work: hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch to give my writing depth. But are there more than five senses to consider?
Every mother has checked a child’s fevered brow to sense if a fever has increased or decreased in temperature.
The last time you were giddy, and sensed a loss of balance that lead your body to stretch your arms out to protect your face from a fall? And could you include a sense of acceleration and a loss of the horizon that brings on nausea!
When pain strikes you sense severe discomfort. Able to tell where the pain is but not necessarily know what is causing the stabbing, burning sensation. And a child often claims to have tummy ache when describing pain, not knowing what is wrong.
Perhaps you recall experiencing ‘Déjà vu,’ that feeling when you’re positive you experienced that exact same sensation earlier, even a feeling that someone has walked over your grave.
Does belonging need to be regarded as a sense? Or perhaps you might consider a sense for the passing of time? And should we include hunger or thirst? Conceivably we should regard these vital reactions as senses?
And don’t get me started on extra sensory perception, regarded by many as the sixth sense. I know that I have an innate sense of when something is wrong. I regard this sense as my personal self preservation, because on rare occasions I’m certain I’ve avoided danger. I have known when to run, flee.
There maybe as many as twenty one senses and animals have other senses that we do not share and some people have a union of senses, seeing colour and music combined. How frustratingly wonderful...?
Did you know a butterfly has taste receptors in its feet? What an amazing ability, wouldn’t that be a fabulous addition – I quite fancy the idea of taste receptors in my hands! Imagine knowing what something would taste like before consumption? Would that work for you?
Finally a sense of being cherished is important to me. I have a deep desire to scoop up children to protect them; encourage them to thrive with positive emotions that allow them to be curious and experience joy. The Japanese call this sense: “Amai.”
I'd love to know which sense you would adopt given a chance to add one.
I have a heightened sense of smell, but would like to have a better sense of vision. I hate having to put my specs on to see properly. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Glynis I do know what you mean. I only have to wear specs to read but I usually can’t find them when I sit down at the computer, especially when they are tucked neatly on top of my head!
ReplyDeleteHey Kay, dang i have a tricky time conveying those in fiction. If its copywriting, no problem. But fiction. Well lets say my 1st novel is taking me forever to finish ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Jon, I do know what you mean… my 1st novel sits at the bottom of a drawer gathering ‘dust balls’ & that’s where it’ll stay for some time as a major re-write is required. However, it came to me the other day just how to rework it! The 2nd novel waits to be completed but I’ve issues with it & my 3rd novel is just flying on to the page, probably because I’ve grown as a writer & this one I like the most because it is nothing to do with me! Keep going with it you never know where it might end up…
DeleteWhat a thought-provoking post! Belonging is an interesting one, as I have lived in many different cities and had great experiences there. But without my family close by, I never felt that base need was satisfied: "home" and "safe". When I returned to the city where my parents reside, I was instantly immersed once again. I do think there is a sense there, tangled up in emotion.
ReplyDeleteHi Jess. I’ve lived in the same house for almost 30 years, it’s crammed full of memories & I’m loathed to move… but I’ve a yen to be in the bright lights of a city, ‘cos it’s gotten too quiet round here recently! Glad you liked the post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, Kay. You're right, there are a whole load of different sensations that could enhance our fiction if we describe them well. I think this is particularly interesting when it comes to people who have an animal side to them eg werewolves, of course this has been done a lot so it needs to be different. For example, Terry Pratchett describes werewolves as being able to "see" smells as blobs of colour. Very imaginative!
ReplyDeleteHi Nick
DeleteThanx for dropping by & leaving a lovely comment – its always good to know that a chord has been struck with a fellow writer
great post. In my YA, i have to constantly look for ways to describe the sense of smell:)
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Happy A-Zing!
Hi Nutschell
ReplyDeleteIt’s also really hard to not to sound clichéd are resort to the tried & tested ways too